The Eagles produced many iconic songs, but one of their final number one hits came from an unexpected collaboration. Rock and roll legend Bob Seger, a longtime friend of Glenn Frey, played a crucial role in co-writing the band's 1979 chart-topper, 'Heartache Tonight'. The song originated from a casual jam session and became a testament to a musical friendship that began decades earlier in Detroit.
Key Takeaways
- Bob Seger co-wrote the Eagles' final number one single, 'Heartache Tonight', with Glenn Frey.
- The song was created during an informal jam session at Frey's home in Laurel Canyon.
- Seger and Frey's friendship dates back to the Detroit music scene of 1967, long before the Eagles were formed.
- 'Heartache Tonight' was influenced by the Motown and soul music both artists grew up with, particularly Sam Cooke.
A Friendship Forged in Detroit
The musical connection between Bob Seger and Glenn Frey started long before the Eagles achieved global fame. The two met in 1967 on the Detroit rock circuit when Frey was just 18 years old. This was four years before Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon would form the Eagles as Linda Ronstadt's backing band.
Their early relationship was so close that Frey nearly became a member of Seger's band. However, after Frey's mother discovered him smoking with his new mentor, she put a stop to their frequent hangouts. Despite this, their professional respect and personal friendship endured.
An Early Collaboration
After both musicians relocated to Los Angeles, their paths crossed again. Glenn Frey contributed guitar and backing vocals to Bob Seger's 1968 song, 'Ramblin' Gamblin' Man'. This early collaboration showcased their musical chemistry more than a decade before they would write a major hit together.
The Laurel Canyon Jam Session
By 1979, both Seger and the Eagles were major forces in rock music. Seger had become a leading figure in heartland rock, while Frey was the co-leader of one of the biggest bands in the world. One evening, the two old friends were relaxing and playing music at Frey's house in Laurel Canyon.
Seger later described the moment the song began to take shape. Frey was working on a musical idea and wanted to create a shuffle rhythm. "I was playing bass, and he was playing guitar," Seger recalled in a 2018 interview with Louder.
"He wanted to write a shuffle. So we’re playing that groove, and Glenn’s singing the verses, and suddenly, out of the blue, the chorus came into my head."
As Frey hummed the verse, Seger developed a chorus that complemented the theme. "I took what he was singing about and jumped right into the chorus," he explained. This spontaneous moment was the genesis of 'Heartache Tonight'.
Crafting a Number One Hit
Frey was immediately enthusiastic about the new idea. He quickly called Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh and the band's frequent songwriting partner, JD Souther, to join the session. The creative energy was high, and the song developed rapidly.
With additional lyrical contributions from Don Henley, the track was completed in a remarkably short time. According to reports, the entire song was fashioned in about 12 hours. This collaborative effort produced a mid-tempo, driving rock song that would become the Eagles' final single to reach number one on the charts.
A Final Chart-Topper
'Heartache Tonight' was released in 1979 as part of the album The Long Run. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100, marking the last time the band would achieve a number one single during their original run.
Musical Roots and Lasting Legacy
The song's sound was a direct callback to the music that influenced Seger and Frey during their formative years in Detroit. The city's legendary Motown sound is evident in the song's structure and rhythm. Seger specifically credited soul icon Sam Cooke as an inspiration for his part of the song.
"You can kind of hear it," he told the Detroit Free Press in 2016, referencing the soul records they were listening to during the jam session. Some listeners have also noted a melodic similarity in the verse to Smokey Robinson's 'The Tracks of My Tears'.
Frey's lead vocal performance on the track is powerful and raw, drawing comparisons to artists like Eric Clapton during his Derek and the Dominoes era. It was a dynamic performance that suggested the band still had creative fuel left.
However, 'Heartache Tonight' would prove to be one of the last great recordings from the band's classic lineup before their breakup in 1980. The song remains a classic rock staple and a fitting tribute to the enduring friendship and shared musical heritage of Glenn Frey and Bob Seger.