The legendary odyssey of the Eagles is finally approaching its last verse as 2026 begins. After fifty-two years of defining the American rock landscape, founding member Don Henley has provided the clearest indication yet that the band is ready to take the show off the road for good. Speaking with CBS Sunday Morning in February 2026, the 78-year-old vocalist and drummer admitted that the end is not just a concept, but a nearing reality.
“I think this year will probably be it,” Henley stated during the candid interview. While the band has flirted with retirement in the past—most famously during their fourteen-year hiatus in the 1980s—Henley’s current tone is one of peaceful acceptance rather than dramatic finale. He cited shifting priorities, including a desire to spend more time with his four children and grandchild, as primary motivators for the decision.
The “Long Goodbye” tour, which originally launched in 2023, has transformed into a cultural phenomenon, specifically through the band’s residency at the Las Vegas Sphere. Originally announced as a brief engagement, the residency has been extended multiple times due to overwhelming demand. As of mid-February 2026, the band added final dates for April 10 and 11, bringing their total run at the high-tech venue to a record-breaking 58 shows.
This residency has allowed the current lineup—featuring Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Vince Gill, and Deacon Frey—to deliver their catalog in an immersive environment. The Sphere’s advanced visuals have provided a cinematic backdrop to classics like “Hotel California” and “Desperado.” Fans and critics alike have noted that the performances feel different now; there is a weight to the music that only comes when the performers know they are playing for the last time.
However, the passage of time has not been without its challenges for the veteran rockers. In late January 2026, the band was forced to perform its first concert without Joe Walsh in fifty-one years after the guitarist contracted the flu. In a display of what Henley called a “deep bench,” Vince Gill and Deacon Frey—the son of the late Glenn Frey—stepped in to cover Walsh’s iconic solos, ensuring the show went on for the thousands in attendance.
Henley noted in his recent reflections that three of the core members are now 78 years old and dealing with the “various ailments” that come with that milestone. “We’ve had a miraculous run,” he told interviewers, expressing amazement and gratitude for the band’s longevity. This sentiment was bolstered earlier this year when the RIAA certified Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975 as Quadruple Diamond, confirming sales of over 40 million copies.
Beyond the bright lights of Las Vegas, the Eagles’ final scheduled appearance is currently set for the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on May 2, 2026. This performance is widely expected to be the band’s swan song, a final opportunity for fans to gather under the open sky and hear the harmonies that shaped generations. For Henley, the transition to post-touring life involves a return to the soil and a focus on his environmental non-profits.
He expressed a deep desire to stop living a “one-dimensional life” defined only by airports, hotel rooms, and venues. “I’d like to spend more time growing vegetables,” Henley remarked, a stark contrast to the high-octane life of a rock star. He also expressed a wish to revisit the international cities he has toured for decades, this time as a traveler rather than a performer, to see them “before it all disappears.”
Even as the live shows wind down, the band continues to honor those who laid the foundation. Tributes to late founding member Randy Meisner, who passed away in 2023, remain a staple of the setlist. The band frequently notes that Meisner’s “astonishing vocal range” was instrumental to their early success, particularly on his signature ballad, “Take It to the Limit,” which still serves as a high point of the evening.
For the audience, the “Long Goodbye” has been a lesson in paying attention to the silence between the notes. The usual rock concert pyrotechnics have been replaced by a tender, shared atmosphere. Couples are seen holding hands and friends whispering memories as the band works through the soundtrack of their lives. It is a goodbye that doesn’t need noise; it is a farewell that follows the listener home long after the final chord has faded.
