The Eagles’ evolution from their humble beginnings to rock titans can be attributed to many influences, but none more significant than producer Glyn Johns. While the songwriting prowess of Glenn Frey and later Don Henley undoubtedly played a vital role in the band’s success, it was Johns who crafted the Eagles’ distinctive sound, producing their first three albums.
By the time he met the Eagles, Johns had amassed considerable experience in sound engineering and production, having worked with legendary British artists like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, and The Small Faces. In the early 1970s, he began collaborating more with American artists, including the Steve Miller Band, which eventually led him to the Eagles.
In an interview with Uncut, Johns recounted his first encounter with the band. “I was approached by David Geffen and went to see the band in a little club in the middle of nowhere,” he said. To his surprise, Johns wasn’t immediately impressed. “Frankly, I wasn’t impressed. They were trying to be a rock ’n’ roll band, but they couldn’t play it to save their lives. I didn’t get it, but Geffen kept going on and on, so eventually, I agreed to see them rehearse.”
However, the rehearsal didn’t do much to change Johns’ initial perception of the band. It’s understandable, given his history of witnessing iconic recordings like Let It Be, Led Zeppelin I, and The Rolling Stones’ “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” “Their set was okay,” he reflected, “but as we were about to take a break, somebody said, ‘Hold on, why don’t we play that ballad Randy [Meisner] has written?’”
This moment marked a turning point for Johns. “They picked up acoustic guitars,” he recalled, “stood around the piano, and played ‘Take The Devil,’ with the four of them singing. And that was it. Astonishing. So I tried to introduce more of that acoustic sound and concentrate on vocal blend and arrangements.”
From that initially unimpressive rehearsal, Johns helped shape the Eagles’ signature sound. He took the acoustic-led style he heard during “Take The Devil” and expertly captured it in the band’s first three records, paving their way to rock stardom.
