The Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. They were part of an induction class that saw some of the biggest acts of the 1960s and 1970s get recognized. Among them were Fleetwood Mac, Santana and The Mamas and the Papas.
The Eagles were inducted into the Rock Hall by Jimmy Buffett, who traded his beachwear for a tuxedo for the festivities. Buffett recalled his interactions with the Eagles over the years. He often was an opening act for the band on various bills and tours. Buffett made a point to recognize the Eagles for always treating him with respect, even though he was often their opener.
“I was the apprentice in the workshop, and I was glad to be there,” said Buffett. ” … It was the little things I was privileged to witness backstage that helped me survive and become a better performer.”
Buffett playfully said in closing, “And here I am still opening for this goddamn band.”
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Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit, Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner, Joe Walsh, Don Felder and Glenn Frey all gave remarks. As expected, Henley and Frey spoke longer than their bandmates. Henley quipped during his speech, “You know the Hall of Fame is making money. I asked for a second bottle of water over here at my table, and the waiter brought me a check for $13.” Henley also said of Eagles manager Irving Azoff, “He may be Satan, but he’s our Satan!”
Frey touched on the drama of the Eagles during his speech. He said, “A lot has been made and a lot has been talked about and speculated about over the last 27 years about whether or not we got along. We got along fine, we just disagreed a lot! Tell me one worthwhile relationship that has not had peeks and valleys.”
As for their performance, The Eagles played two of their iconic tracks: “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.” The latter song’s performance is below.