Nothing sparks more debate in rock history than the moment a legendary band reaches its peak — and then faces a final farewell. But here's where it gets controversial: what if that farewell signaled the end of their golden era—and yet, the story behind their last chart-topping hit reveals secrets most fans never knew.
On November 10, 1979, the Eagles made history by reaching the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the fifth and final time with their song “Heartache Tonight.” This track wasn’t just another hit; it served as the lead single from their last studio album, The Long Run, which marked their final creative release before disbanding in 1980.
If circumstances had been different—if the band hadn’t split shortly after releasing this album—The Long Run might have heralded a new chapter in Eagles history. At this pivotal moment, the band was transitioning; founding bassist Randy Meisner left the group, making way for Timothy B. Schmit. Interestingly, Schmit had a history with the band, having replaced Meisner earlier in their previous band, Poco.
During this time of transition, the band was riding high on their enormous success. Their 1975 album One of These Nights crowned them with their first No. 1 on the albums chart. The following year, they released Hotel California, a record that remains one of rock’s most iconic LPs. They continued their chart-topping streak with The Long Run — another No. 1 album — and later achieved another milestone with Long Road Out of Eden in 2007, over a decade after reuniting.
The Collaboration Behind ‘Heartache Tonight’
The song’s creation is notable because of its impressive songwriting team. Don Henley and Glenn Frey, the Eagles’ core members, co-wrote “Heartache Tonight” alongside JD Souther and legendary rocker Bob Seger—a major influence and mentor to Frey. Souther’s close ties with the band earned him a nickname as an “unofficial Eagle,” and Freer’s admiration for Seger was well known, especially since Seger had mentored him early in his career.
According to Souther, the songwriting process had its moments of spontaneity. “We didn’t nail the chorus right away,” Souther explained. “Glenn was on the phone with Seger, trying to run something by him. He sang the part over the phone, and Seger immediately responded with the perfect chorus. Glenn then asked if four writers would be okay on this track, and I agreed, provided it was good.”
And it was. Not only did “Heartache Tonight” soar to the top of the charts, but it also earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group, cementing its place as a pivotal moment in rock history.
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