The Eagles released their first album in 1972. Peaking at number 22 on the charts and selling more than 1 million copies, their self-titled debut would be a forbear of the band’s sustained success. The band would release five more albums over the next seven years in addition to 2007’s Long Road Out of Eden, each of which would sell a minimum of 2 million copies. Though four of the band’s records would reach number 1 on the American charts, the pinnacle of The Eagles’ success came in 1976 with their fifth release, Hotel California.
Over the course of nearly four decades, Hotel California has outsold all other Eagles records, holding diamond certification in the United States and a number of international platinum certifications. In total, the album has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide. Hotel California also produced a pair of number 1 hits, “New Kid in Town” and the album’s title track, and a third popular single, “Life in the Fast Lane.” The song “Hotel California” in particular has come to define The Eagles. The track has received considerable attention for its climactic guitar solo, which has been recognized as one of the greatest of all time in numerous music publications.