Don Henley celebrates 79th birthday: A look at his legendary rock career

Don Henley has spent more than five decades singing some of the most enduring songs in rock history, and today, July 22, the Eagles co-founder celebrates his 79th birthday.

Whether it's the haunting opening lines of "Hotel California," the yearning emotion of "Desperado" or the bittersweet nostalgia of "The Boys of Summer," Henley's unmistakable tenor has become one of the defining voices of classic rock.

His impact has long been recognized by critics. In 2008, Rolling Stone ranked Henley among its 100 Greatest Singers of All Time, crediting the singer's "fluid tenor voice" with conveying "a world-weariness that defined Eagles classics such as Hotel California … and solo tunes like 'The Boys of Summer.'" The magazine also quoted longtime collaborator J.D. Souther, who praised Henley's remarkable talent, saying, "He has an amazing voice that is a mystery to us all. I would call him one of the great blues singers of our generation."

Henley's vocal gifts are perhaps even more impressive considering he was delivering them while seated behind a drum kit for much of his career. In its ranking of the Greatest Singing Drummers Ever, MusicRadar placed Henley at No. 4, writing that "the look and sound of Don Henley seated behind the drums while singing timeless Eagles classics is one of those things in life that's utterly perfect." The publication praised his understated approach to drumming, noting that by keeping his playing simple and tasteful, "he finds the space for his voice to soar."

The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer co-founded the Eagles in 1971 alongside Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner after the four musicians came together while backing Linda Ronstadt.

Over the next decade, the band became one of the biggest acts in music history, producing classics including "Witchy Woman," "Best of My Love," "One of These Nights," "Life in the Fast Lane," "Hotel California" and "The Long Run," many of them featuring Henley on lead vocals. The Eagles have sold more than 150 million albums worldwide, won six Grammy Awards and remain the highest-selling American band in history. Following Frey's death in 2016, Henley became the band's only remaining consistent founding member.

After the Eagles' breakup in 1980, Henley proved he was far more than the voice of one legendary band. His solo career produced an impressive string of hits, including "Dirty Laundry," "The Boys of Summer," "All She Wants to Do Is Dance," "The End of the Innocence," "The Heart of the Matter" and "New York Minute." Along the way, he earned two Grammy Awards as a solo artist and sold more than 10 million albums worldwide.

Beyond music, Henley has devoted decades to conservation and artists' rights. He founded the Walden Woods Project to help preserve the landscape made famous by Henry David Thoreau, co-founded the Caddo Lake Institute to protect Texas wetlands and has been a longtime advocate for fair treatment of musicians in the recording industry.

At 79, Don Henley's voice remains one of the most recognizable in rock music, a sound that has anchored countless classics and continues to resonate with generations of listeners. Happy birthday to one of rock's greatest voices.

Related: This ‘Monumental Flop’ Was Named the ‘Worst Eagles Solo Album Ever’