The Eagles

For the American band, see Eagles. 1) The Eagles (UK band) (1958—1964 Bristol, England) 2) The Eagles (R&B vocal group) 1) The Eagles were a British music quartet active from 1958 through the mid 1960s. Formed in 1958, at the Eagles House Club in Bristol, Somerset. Led by lead guitarist Terry Clarke (born Terence Clarke, in 1947, in Reading, Berkshire), who used a homebuilt custom instrument, the group included drummer Rod Meacham (born Roderick Meacham, 25 March 1943, in Bristol, Somerset died 21 March 2002, in Bristol), bassist Michael Brice, and Johnny Payne on rhythm guitar. Playing primarily instrumental rock, they began their career in Bristol playing local venues such as dance halls. They were launched into the world of professional music in 1962 upon being noticed by composer Ron Grainer, probably best remembered for his theme to Doctor Who. Grainer was interested in The Eagles for a film project he was working on, Some People, about a fictional Bristol band not unlike themselves. The Eagles contributed to the Some People soundtrack, and became Grainer's protégés, recording new versions of some of his film score work like the theme of the Maigret television series. The Some People soundtrack reached #2 on the EP charts, and remained on the charts for a stay of 21 weeks. The Eagles were awarded the Duke of Edinburgh Trophy for their work on the film, and soon after were signed to Pye Records, at the time among the top three labels in Britain. After releasing the singles "Bristol Express" and "Exodus", The Eagles embarked on a major tour of England along with more established acts Del Shannon, Stevie Wonder, Johnny Tillotson, and Dionne Warwick. The tour world lasted much of 1963, during which their debut album, Smash Hits From The Eagles was released in the UK and the United States. The following year brought their most successful single and the one for which they are best remembered today, a vocal rendition of "Wishin' And Hopin'" backed with "Write Me A Letter". Unfortunately, 1964 also brought a pair of tragedies which ultimately led to the end of the group 2) The Eagles were a 1950s rhythm and blues vocal group from the Washington, D.C. area. They recorded the original version of "Trying to Get To You" (Rose Marie McCoy - Charles Singleton), better known through the versions by Elvis Presley (one of his Sun recordings) and The Animals (as "Trying To Get You"), among others. The Eagles released "Trying to Get To You" on Mercury Records in 1954, the year before Elvis Presley's version was recorded. Presley's vocal delivery appears to be influenced by that of The Eagles' lead singer, but Scotty Moore's guitar solo on the Presley recording replaces a saxophone solo heard on the original. The Eagles had two further releases on Mercury, "Such A Fool"/"Don't You Wanna Be Mine" and "I Told Myself"/"What A Crazy Feeling". An Eagles anthology LP released c.1989 by German reissue label Bear Family, Trying To Get To You, included three additional tracks.