When musical legends meet, sparks tend to fly — and Don Henley’s admiration for his own heroes says everything about the kind of artist he became. But here’s where it gets interesting: despite fronting one of the biggest rock bands in history, his all-time favourite singer isn’t from the rock world at all.
The often-introspective Don Henley sits right at the crossroads of American music, blending the spirit of country, rock, folk, and soul into something unmistakably his own. As co-founder, drummer, and co-lead vocalist of the Eagles, Henley helped steer rock ‘n’ roll out of its 1970s rut by giving it a distinctly country-tinged new direction. Teaming up with talents like Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon, he co-wrote songs that became the defining soundtrack of an era — tunes still covered and cherished by musicians across generations.
Albums like Hotel California continue to read like a ‘greatest hits’ compilation, featuring unforgettable songs such as the title track, ‘Life in the Fast Lane,’ and ‘The Last Resort.’ With more than 32 million copies sold, the album cemented the Eagles as one of the world’s biggest bands of their time. Their secret? An alluring mix of influences that reflected Henley’s diverse musical appetite, plus a hint of mystery that kept audiences fascinated in an age obsessed with fame.
When asked about his own heroes, Henley doesn’t hesitate to tip his hat to icons like Willie Nelson, Glen Campbell, and Patsy Cline. Yet, for him, one figure towered above the rest of the country scene: legendary songwriter and guitarist Merle Haggard. To Henley, Haggard wasn’t just another influential artist — he was, in Henley’s words, “a voice made of gold.”
Haggard’s story reads like a classic American fable. Raised in hardship, he rose from the California dust to dominate the country charts in the late 1960s with hits like ‘Mama Tried.’ Fame may have ebbed over time, but his legacy endured through acclaimed projects like his 1983 collaboration with Willie Nelson, Pancho and Lefty. “My absolute favourite country singer of all time is probably Merle Haggard,” Henley told BBC Radio 2 in 2019, adding that he’d finally met his hero only a few years earlier during a small-town show in Linden, Texas. Contrary to the old warning about meeting one’s idols, Henley walked away even more impressed: “He’s quite a character,” he said with a laugh, naming Haggard’s ballad ‘Silver Wings’ among his top picks.
But there’s a twist. When it comes to his single favourite singer of all time, regardless of genre, Henley turns his gaze to someone else entirely — the incomparable Ray Charles. That choice might surprise some fans, but it also explains why Henley’s own music has always defied boundaries. Ray Charles, a pioneer of soul and rhythm and blues, bridged styles in ways few had before, and Henley credits Charles’ 1960s landmark album Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music as nothing less than life-changing. “That album changed my life,” Henley once said, recalling how he wore out multiple vinyl copies. His admiration for Charles’ rendition of ‘I Can’t Stop Loving You’ borders on reverence, calling it “the definitive version” of the song.
The influence of both men — Haggard and Charles — echoes across Henley’s career. Together, they help explain how he and the Eagles forged such a textured sound, seamlessly weaving country warmth with soulful depth. Few artists would list a country outlaw and an R&B visionary among their top inspirations, but Henley has never been one to think in musical boxes. And he’s hardly alone: legends like Bruce Springsteen and Bruce Hornsby have also placed Ray Charles at the very top of their list.
So, that raises an intriguing question — and one bound to spark debate: can a country-rooted rocker’s favourite singer really be a soul pioneer? Does Henley’s eclectic taste make him a musical purist, or a rebel who refused to pick sides? What do you think — does genre loyalty even matter anymore?
