大规模的巡回演唱会把The Eagles乐队推向了鼎盛时期，1976年，他们推出了一张精选集《Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975》，当时这张唱片就迅速成为了排行榜的冠军，迅速突破白金销量，但是即便这样，也没有人会料到这张精选集竟然在日后成为了美国历史上唱片销量的冠军。 The pre-Hotel California years were arguably the best for The Eagles (though there were, thanks to Joe Walsh, some stellar future moments). Their mix of country, folk, and rock had a harder, grittier edge, and helped define what would become known as the Southern California sound. There was just enough of a country feel in the beautiful harmonies of "Best of My Love," to blur the edges between the genres. "Take It Easy" and "Lyin' Eyes" could easily have come out of the new Nashville school, as well. The twang that characterizes the guitar intro to "Already Gone" and the leads in "Witchy Woman" and "One of These Nights," also pays tribute to country's guitar greats. Greatest Hits 1971-1975 houses a scant ten singles, but not only does it illustrate the magic of the collaboration between Glen Frey and Don Henley, it shows the breadth of The Eagles impact on the many who would follow their lead. --Steve Gdula