CBS 5 Phoenix - Don Henley 1 on 1

Don Henley sits down to talk about his new album (Cass County) and tour. The interview was conducted 10/2/2015 in Phoenix, the night before the first concert of the tour.
Henley discusses his musical influences, what it was like to work with Mick Jagger on a country song, what he feels before he goes on tour, how he keeps his voice in shape, and lots of other topics.

[@randywoolum2648]

Henley's voice has not changed, it's gotten deeper, and that's just with age....happens to everyone. Henley still has the unmistakable voice that you know it's him as soon as he hits his first note.

[@lizadanda8811]

Beautiful voice both

[@stephenlennartz3466]

One of my favorite voices for sure. I saw him perform live without the Eagles and he was just phenomenal. One of my top 5 concerts of all time.

[@ambermum]

@@stephenlennartz3466 Ditto!

[@theelf152]

Was blessed to hear Eagles live in Sydney 1995, and when he closed with Desperado, everyone stood in the silence between “let somebody love you”… & “before its tooooo laaate” and could hear people saying & showing goosebumps!. His voice is a treasure..Its like a finely a tuned bell with smooth husky undertones.He’s also incredibly astute and concise for someone with a creative mindset.

[@jquick51]

Great interview and kudos to the interviewer for not cutting in until Don answered his questions.

[@vickiewiseman7112]

💯❤️

[@Pookie2807]

Nice to get to know Don Henley a bit more than when he was part of that great Eagles band. He is very intelligent, articulate, thoughtful....and incredibly talented. Cass County is one of the best albums to come along in decades. Most, if not all, of the songs are exceptional. I feel so blessed to have this wonderful music in my collection!

[@scrimmy45]

Well said Carol.

[@kimmackenzie5002]

You forgot , egomaniac ,vindictive and mean. You should read Don Felder's bood "heaven and hell" to learn Henley's other side....you can see it , he has a meanness to him.

[@treasurehunteruk9718]

@@kimmackenzie5002 What we're seeing here is an old man who has calmed down with age. He said he is 68. Go back to the drug taking, sleeping around and using the F world all the time, and he and Frey did, in their youth

[@morgan72359]

You make a good point, Treasure.

[@davidrice3337]

this is in no way indicident of his actual self - he may be the best dude in the world -but we don't know these people

[@marymcwright8980]

you noticed the deepness of his voice too. i have listened to that voice since 1971

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

Lots of beer and coke and cigs

[@Wynne-oz2ws]

Your voice gets deeper as you age . You gain weight , your balls descend a bit more , and your diaphragm expands etc

[@carlosstw]

his voice has not changed at all, the person doing thid interview is crazy

[@Melinda8162]

Did you see his eyes as the dingbat asked him that??? 😲🙄

[@susangraham171]

Don He let's voice has never changed to me!!!

[@paultynan8705]

It was a dumb assumption and question.

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

What a gentle, humble, focused, and honest man, Drive Safe Don, :)

[@barryetherton4889]

You are still one of the greatest Don. thank you

[@abuyco]

I heard he was the "quiet" one in the early days and mostly played drums. But he's literally got a gift as a vocalist (and lucky he realized he had this gift and learned he could really, really sing!). One of the most recognizable voices, signature sound voice ever! And, on a different note, he's damn lucky to have kept all his hair throughout the years!!! Such a modest guy... he felt he didn't sing very well on the Desperado recording.

[@barbaradavis8372]

He and the Eagles gave us all such amazing music....this band wrote the music for my high school, college years and beyond.....I just heard the Glenn Frey passed today....how very, very sad

[@archiguitarchi]

I agree with Scott Harrison and Rat Trap both. It's very obvious that the interviewer was almost completely unprepared and that Mr. Henley was most forgiving and gracious. My admiration for Mr. Henley was boosted even higher by this.

[@donboger193]

Beyond Henley's great talents he also makes some very pointant statements about how American is changing from towns being bypassed to his quite from Aristotle to even mentioning folks watching Ken Burns PBS Civil War series. His understanding of American history is also relevant to who we are now. It would be ashame if we all got stumbled on his voice and missed the message.

[@Wynne-oz2ws]

Say what you will, he's an intelligent individual .

[@davesteffin9012]

Have to admit ,although playing a few old Eagle songs myself,"The boys of summer"is a pop masterpiece.

[@LordStanley94]

Great interview. Very nice man Don Henley is. Great musician.

[@rickchalek6101]

Um, not really such a nice man. Although he does seem to have matured and become more accessible. When he was younger he was just impossible.

[@scrimmy45]

Well he managed to make some of the biggest selling albums of all time with a bunch of other guys so he could' nt have been that impossible.

[@rickchalek6101]

Andrew, forgive me, but what does his ability to make music have to do with what kind of a difficult personality he is well known to possess? I could name a thousand great artists who were impossible to be around. Start with Picasso. I'm a big fan of Joao Gilberto, the singer/guitarist of all the Brazilian jazz music from the '60s. He was one of the worst, meanest assholes I've ever seen. He had arguments with audiences from the stage. I still love his music, as I do Henley's. Besides, your argument that other guys made music with Henley isn't an answer. Lots of musicians fuss and fight with each other and turn out masterpieces.

[@dadduorp]

I met him (along with Jackson Browne who was accompanying him) when I was a young kid in late 1979-I’d just turned 20-and he was a nice guy and perfect gentleman. Took the time to have a nice chat and very conversational.

[@RH-tv9hk]

I love Henley telling of his early exposure to music, from all the different stations, to his parent's and grandparent's music, and his grandmother singing hymns. He has talked about Glenn Frey's encyclopedia-like knowledge of music but he seems to have that as well by the way he talks in this interview.

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

He's very intellectual. He is a musical genius like Frey, but he explains in the history of the eagles documentary that he wasn't the outgoing rock star that Glenn was at the time and that he didn't have the nerve to talk to the big players the way Glenn Frey did

[@karencummings2252]

This young interviewer doesn't know his stuff, Don Henley's voice is just as beautiful & unique as it ever was! Love you Mr. Henley! The more I know of Don Henley, the more I like this man. Love his Texas roots. Such a great musician!

[@simplyred6780]

Can't help but like Mr Henley has a real understanding about what's going on in America and what's going on with music

[@jiffin1]

If an interviewer knows the answers to all their questions, the interview is invariably boring ... That's the problem with every interview with Henley about the Eagles ... The fact that this project deals with just Don, makes the interview more interesting ...

[@Melinda8162]

Did you see his eyes as he was asked that, about his voice??? OmG , I've been listening to the Eagles " since"........ forever!!! His voice is the same!

[@michelle88960]

@@Melinda8162 You're so right.

[@MichaelCrutcher]

@@Melinda8162 Except he changes the key of the tunes to make it work for his voice.

[@hoodtherapist659]

I've only been an Eagle's fan for about 15 years (I'm only 36) but from what I can hear, his voice sounds the same as it did in the 70's.

[@pavanatanaya]

Don Henley has always struck me as a blue collar musician who's success , collaboratively and in solo ventures, was due to hard work good timing, good fortune and Hard work. A musician's musician. Congrats on the chart topper Mr Henley. I like your work.

[@brianmcgrevey9832]

Saw Don Henley, after this interview at the Manchester Arena. Sang a lot of his older music plus a lot from Cash County Album......great! We stil play it now

[@eamonngaynor5762]

There is quite simply no stopping this man as if being one of the founding members of one of the greatest bands in history wasn't enough he's had three solo albums he never stops thank god he's still around on the other hand it's heartbreaking without Glenn Frey

[@Wynne-oz2ws]

Yeah it's pretty cool they got it back together for awhile .wish I had been enough of a fan to see em in 90's etc , like Van Hagar . .

[@marcjameslevesque]

Henley is the real deal, no pretenses...real talk, great artist.

[@cynthiareynolds3432]

What does he do or say that depicts a 'monstrous ego'?

[@sharonbaillif2026]

@Eagles Extra Rare Footage we all have egos. He has a right to his.

[@sharonbaillif2026]

Yes,explain. I think You are jealous.

[@sharonbaillif2026]

@Eagles Extra Rare Footage ..and, are you God? He 'deserves?

[@sharonbaillif2026]

@@cynthiareynolds3432 yes explain...thoroughly.

[@donaldmatthew4980]

Don Henley is one of the Greatest songwriters that ever sung his own song's properly, i had the privelege of being in the Troubadour in California, with Ter, Grant, Leon, Doda, Glen, Evan, Rae,Daz and I, to see where it all started, and we're All going to see them again on the 4th of July.

[@cuchifrita1]

Great Henley, thank you for my Eagles songs!

[@vickiewiseman7112]

Ditto!

[@gregorythacher9861]

guy's a star as a singer-songwriter and musicianship. love his music, love the Eagles. miss you Glenn Frey, RIP.

[@muskykingjoe]

An American treasure. His solo stuff is amazing. Have everything he has ever done and can listen to it as if I bought it last week. Thanks Don.

[@continentalarmy2029]

🤮

[@jimw.4161]

Brilliant, articulate musician who has a half-full of common sense. The man is appreciative and remembers where he comes from and his people. Don Henley is an American treasure.

[@carolmiller760]

His voice has NOT changed

[@DreamsongsProductions]

I love the Eagles and love and admire Don Henley as an artist and songwriter. It's the whole reason I do music. Huge inspiration through the years...Cass Country is an awesome album and his voice is as great as ever!

[@meic8636]

I adore him, my fav Eagle, singer/songwriter on the planet. His unique voice, he can sing any genre, country, blues, rock, R&B , bluegrass...

[@jeanross7430]

I loved The Eagles and the interviewer said his voice has changed, I think it has barely changed, it is just a tad richer in tone. Respect for Don Henley.

[@Bbendfender]

Probably my favorite solo artist and for sure Eagles as my favorite band artists. He is a Texan, just like me.

[@Bbendfender]

+gillan64 What does that have to do with anything? My Great-grandfather fought for Gen. Hood in Tennessee. Do you know who Gen. Hood fought for?

[@johnnycombs4623]

Through the years, I'd always heard Don was an ass. Hard to get along with, overbearing, full of himself, ect,.... I'm 51, and I've played music all over this country, (& 3 others too ) but I'm from Dallas, Tx. and I live there now. Mr. Henley also has a home there, & I had the pleasure of meeting him 3 yrs ago. He was none of those things. We talked music, conservatism, places we've both played shows, and more. I can't say anything negative about the man. He's got my vote.

[@scrimmy45]

The ultimate singer /songwriter.There are others on his level - but not many. As an Eagle as well as a solo artist he has excelled in creating enduring, well written and timeless songs. Songs that touch you deeply and make you think , as well as recognise them as key milestones in all of our lives. That's real talent.

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

This is a refreshing change from what I normally see of Don Henley in most of his interviews. In this he is very candid, very polite, and very genuine. In most instances, he is very Smug and arrogant toward interviewers who he talks to and often belittling and condescending toward them. In this, he talks at length about his music, instead of bitching about politicians, the media, or recording industry, or trying to defend his position on things. He just talks about his influences, his music, and tells a great story. Henley is a smart man but often an arrogant shmuck. Not so arrogant here

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

As arrogant as don Henley can be, he does know his shit about music history and it's great to listen to him talk about it because he's from a generation that made music using instruments. A true artist. You no longer have guys like this

[@carolbarry5744]

Don Henley's voice is soulful and powerful, there is no other artist that I enjoy listening to more than Don Henley's . His music seems to stem from personal experiences and deep from his ❤ heart, also very well spoken 👏 this interview is fabulous, his wonderful music is no surprise

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

Hello Carol How are you doing? It's a pleasure to have you here!

[@janbeck2676]

When you insult Uncle Don with a question about his voice, good luck getting in another question. Love ya!

[@RH-tv9hk]

Right? Don't be dissin' Uncle Don and do your homework before the interview!

[@deepblue1963]

His speaking voice is so soothing. It makes me sleepy. lol

[@RH-tv9hk]

Yes, soothing, sexy, and that perfect hint of Texas accent

[@Melinda8162]

@Samantha Elizabeth ohhhhhhnooooo! Yes. ( How would you like to hear that in your bed at night)??! 🤗👄. 😄. I know...... naughty me.....🙄😬. 🤷

[@lyndafmackenzie6626]

It was and still is an amazing album

[@michellecalling]

Thank you so much for sharing this interview! I actually caught it on a fluke. Don Henley is about a real as you can get. I especially appreciated how he talked about how our country is losing middle ground. That really got to me because I know it came from his heart. I going to have to check out his latest release.

[@Journeyman-Fixit]

Good for you Don, best of luck.

[@janisallen157]

What a contribution The Eagles have made to all of our lives. We all miss Glenn, but love the addition of Vince Gill’s talent bringing his voice and quality guitar playing. It all remains very good.

[@martinward7230]

I don't miss glem. He was a self absorbed asshole. Hotel California was a song written by Don Felder, Glen Fry never gave him an ounce of credit. He is burning in hell right now,

[@kidcharlemagne7238]

Henley just the God of the Eagles, thee chilled out dude and great voice inspiring me , 40 years later :)

[@geraldineshaw290]

Great interview very humble talented Man and miss you Glenn Frey RIP 🙏🙏💖♥️

[@teresastolarskyj]

So much more humble than I anticipated, but the Aristotle reference really illuminated for me the difference in what pop culture appreciates and celebrates today. It's too rare that fame now is begotten by intelligence, dedication to the craft, and in this case, profound storytelling.

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

Hello Teresa How are you doing? It's nice to have you here!

[@drbobdc8319]

Good for you Don Henley. Your social commentary is always so right on, always inspires me (scares me a little) and frequently makes me well-up. To the good fight. :)

[@mastercez]

A true artist in every sense of the word. Bravo

[@prestonbarker7914]

He is #1 So is Stevie Nicks they Are Awesome U Both Rock On

[@henrysetliff564]

Wow such a good and honest man i love Don works from the old days to new stuff wish all people in the music were as upfront and honest as he is.

[@edithkurek2184]

What a great writer , and singer , forgiveness may be my all time favorite of all , that one verse is the best .❤😢forgiveness.

[@bobkattner9226]

Seven years ago and he was spot on regarding the division in our country.

[@janethardy3208]

I sure do love this Texas Boy. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@-candacemoran8238]

Love,love,Love

[@carollancaster2389]

Don Henley is such a humble guy & a real classy man. I love his songs, his singing, & his wonderful ability to tell great stories thru his song writing.

[@robertcassick8614]

One of your songs you made mirrors my whole life and it shuck me to my core! “Take a picture of this” it brand tears to my eyes! And I thank you for making it! Play on my friend cause I will be listening to everything you and the eagles make!

[@scottharrison2839]

the interviewer has no clue about Don's history or music history. Don's very patient with this kid

[@waynewactor8840]

But the guy doesn't put Don into a defensive position. And I'm so thankful he gave Gram Parsons the CREDIT where credits due.

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

Which is not typical of don either

[@parisbest105]

Love this man and his music. Great guy. Great music. 💁🏼‍♀️

[@yamahaguy1732]

He said a couple of albums after this one I wonder when I'm ready

[@louiserawle8999]

He is one of my fave singer/songwriters ever..Love his voice.

[@billylowe4560]

Don's voice is still great now as well as then .ready to hear some of the new album.

[@maureenhorrigan7151]

He's got that voice,that you recognize right away. Love this solo years ❤️

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

Hello Maureen How are you doing? It's a pleasure to have you here!

[@michaelcastro6731]

Great interview and getting to know Henley's background and musicial influences when he was growing up in a small Texas town. Also he was getting to hear all kinds of different music due to where they were located in West Texas and they were able to pick up a load of different radio stations due to the 50,000 watt superstations.

[@at90percent]

A lot of people don't know that even the Bee Gees did country songs through their career. So I could easily imagine Mick doing a country song.

[@lloydrobeau5126]

Well the stones did do wild horses

[@artprince9163]

@@lloydrobeau5126 they also did Dead Flowers

[@damon6852]

Excellent all-around interview, with well thought out questions being asked, and insightful, thorough answers from Mr. Henley.

[@maijaliepa119]

🦅🦉🦅 WOW...an amazing amazing interview ....🦅🦉🦅

[@my12steptruth]

What a great, handsome, cowboy of a man!

[@freecatbeme]

ooh lala ! I could eat him up ! he is such a Great Poet. Musician. etc. Class Act #1.The Real Deal. him and Justin. Excellent Music.

[@hubertwaldner2426]

what a Great guy and musician respect Mr Henley From a musician from Austria also born in 53...and Studies at NTSU in 1982....with Tim Ries....

[@jensinrubin4733]

Just need a Henley, and Strait collaboration and my life will be complete

[@diannaloper7677]

Good interview Don!

[@davek8427]

One of my dream interviews. How great is Mr. Henley!? What a nice music lesson here too, talking about the first alt-country band, and taking us up through Poco and many others. I’m thankful for running into this interview and for the great knowledge we gain from it.

[@josephjoelcharles9206]

I never expected to watch a Don Henley interview though I have been listening to the Eagle Band since 1979. Great....and the interviewer never interrupts in between great work.

[@abakrem]

Don Henley, one of the greatest.

[@RH-tv9hk]

Henley seemed very open and relaxed here. And he's always so gracious in interviews even though he hates giving them. "Most people tell me my voice HASN'T changed," said with a smile and no hint of offense. And he didn't correct the interviewer when he referred to Eagles in past tense: "The Eagles were a country rock band." They'd been successfully touring for years

[@brendaharrington2201]

Yay Glenn Frey and Jackson Browne and Don Felder. Let us not leave out Joe Walsh. Such and much talent

[@panchitajiansuwan1085]

The best singer ever is Don Henley. The greatest and beyond. Love it forever.

[@timwilliamson7524]

I pray I could do the next with u. Don❤

[@bevfaria3300]

AN INEPT AND INFANTILE INTERVIEWER .. HASN'T A CLUE OF THE HISTORY OF THE EAGLES AND HENLEY .. DON HENLEY .. IS AND WAS EXCEPTIONAL AT HIS CRAFT .. PLAY ON .. DON .. NOW AND ALWAYS .. AND FOREVER .. JUST LOVE .. LOVE .. LOVE .. ALL THAT YOU DO .. X

[@loveispeace9731]

Don is the same today as he was in the sevendies. His voice hasn't changed at all Don is still a great singer.

[@malcolmlyndsell5009]

We do owe him thanks , regardless of any politics

[@RetroTekGuyAU]

6:40...WHAT!? Who put that question on there. Henley's voice hasn't changed a single bit apart from maybe growing a bit deeper....a bit.

[@DowntownCanon]

+Fps-Gaming-Productions Yeah, if there's one singer I can think of whose voice sounds conspicuously the same, it's Henley.

[@joelweisberg]

+Rat Trap I really loved this interview. Don is a thoughtful man and I'm interested in what's on his mind. Re: his voice: it's the same exact sound as the voice on Best of My Love circa 1972 or 3. No change at all. Still exquisite.

[@chrisliles1668]

he is the greatest

[@kristinesanservino6125]

My favorite writer

[@SuzeBlues]

Good interview...and I agree with everything he says!

[@maristellaottulich7814]

This interview was made just three months before Glenn's passing. So sad!

[@gertstronkhorst2343]

He really is good people.

[@mary-louise3004]

His voice has not changed. What's the interviewer talking about??

[@joelweisberg]

+Mary-Louise Abney (ML) He just got it wrong. Don's amazing voice has not changed one iota, still beautiful after all these years.

[@deborahdolder8516]

Don Henley's voice sounds the same to me. Love his voice

[@deborahdolder8516]

Congradulations

[@cindylomeli2723]

Small Town Gilmer, Texas (where you were born,) welcomes you!!! Come here to do a concert Don, put Gilmer on the map!! Gilmer, Texas, Upshur County, next album....

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

Hello Cindy How are you doing? It's a pleasure to have you here!

[@Gretny]

Don knows his stuff !!

[@Wizardof]

I used to work with a man that looked almost like Don Henley. Well more like a cross between Don Henley and the guy that played a Star Trek MACO soldier, Steven Culp from JAG too. Acted like the JAG guy too. No onder dude was nervous all the time. He thought everyone was judging him or staring. I can see why but I only thought about it once.

[@mariawood6155]

yes. this interviewer should have done his homework a little better. if he had listened to his voice earlier in his career knowing he was going to ask that question would see that his voice has not changed a bit.

[@jeffwisener1378]

I am a big fan of all the Eagles . Desperado is one of my 10 favorite albums of all time. Don Henley is an exceptional singer, musician, and song writer. I also appear to align politically and environmentally with Henley. With all that being said, Don appears to be a very controlling person. Musically it could be excused as knowing what he wants but numerous examples I have read where he just seems to be controlling, opinionated, and at times, cold hearted, even rude. I would like to think I would enjoy talking to him but fear if all accounts I have heard are true, it wouldn't go well.

[@pimpdaddy1445]

I wouldn’t live with someone this intense for all the money in the world . Props to his wife and kids

[@skoricdarko4147]

He is also a very good Manager.

[@helenhines7639]

Love Henley ♥️

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

Hello Helen How are you doing? It's nice to have you here!

[@helenhines7639]

@@DonHenley-td7uk Thx! Love your music! ♥️

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

@@helenhines7639 that's cool 💝, Where are you commenting from and how long have you been a fan?

[@helenhines7639]

@@DonHenley-td7uk I live in Indianapolis, I missed your show last year. I've been a fan forever. Love your band! ♥️

[@DonHenley-td7uk]

@@helenhines7639 wow,You seem to be an amazing fan and my song has been a source of motivation, inspiration and strength to you. Your love for my songs gives me an ideology of how amazing you're! I'd love us to continue this conversation privately to know more about you, and your thoughts on my personality and songs. I'll be giving you my private mailing address so you can send me a mail okay?

[@philosophia6428]

Yes, the answer is in the middle…for a fella who is always on the extreme end and unwilling to compromise…it sounds like he is learning.

[@voiceofreason925]

Actually, Henleys voice has changed, albeit subtly, over the decades. He had a somewhat throaty and husky voice in the 70’s (Witchy Woman and Best of My Love), became more nasally in the 80’s (Dirty Laundry and End of the Innocence) and by the 2000’s it became more like Ronald Isley (Fast Company).

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

I've always felt the same. He became much more nasally in his solo career

[@davidstewart4310]

Love Don....I've heard he's not too friendly with fans though, so I'd be scared to approach him :-/

[@skooby_doobie_doonkann3334]

It's well known that he's a jerk

[@vickiewiseman7112]

Naw!!!

[@robg777]

Fans can be scary too. Sometimes they shoot you.

[@carolmiller760]

Time to sing The Blues...!!!

[@dmimcg]

Looked up the word greed in the dictionary the other day and Glen's picture was there.

[@anthonylentini6278]

no bullshit kinda guy great artist