The Eagles were a British music quartet active from 1958 through the mid 1960s. A quartet is a group of four identical or similar objects, or a grouping of four persons for a common purpose. ...

Led by guitarist Terry Clarke, who used a homebuilt custom instrument, the group included drummer Rod Meacham, 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 protegees, 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. Ron Grainer (August 11, 1922 - February 21, 1981) was an Australian-born composer who worked for most of his professional career in the United Kingdom. ... Doctor Who is a long-running British science fiction television programme (and 1996 television movie) produced by the BBC about the adventures of a mysterious time-traveller known as The Doctor, who explores time and space with his companions, solving problems and righting wrongs. ... Maigret featured on a postage stamp Jules Maigret, known as (Commissaire) Maigret to most people, including his wife, is a fictional police detective, created by writer Georges Simenon. ...

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 Duke of Edinburgh is a British dukedom. ... Pye Records was a British record label. ... Del Shannon should not be confused with Dell Shannon, the pseudonym under which Elizabeth Linington wrote police precedurals for 26 years. ... Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, named later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris), [1] is an African American singer, songwriter, record producer, musician, and social activist. ... This article is about the 1950s and 1960s singer. ... Marie Dionne Warrick (born December 12, 1940 in East Orange, New Jersey), known professionally as Dionne Warwick, is an African-American singer best known for her work with Hal David and Burt Bacharach as songwriters and producers. ...

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: Grainer went blind, and Meachum suffered a nervous breakdown. Soon after, in late 1964, the band went their separate ways.

After The Eagles

Clarke continued in the music business, with the band Pickettywitch and later as a session musician and solo artist, working with such artists as Michael Messer, Willie Nelson, Joe Ely, The Band, and Johnny Cash. He released nine solo albums between 1990 and 2006, on Transatlantic Records and various labels. Payne returned to Bristol and continued to play with local bands. The Eagles' music is available on many compilations of the era, and in 1998 Sanctuary Records released a massive 61-track two-disc +compilation set Smash Hits from The Eagles and The Kestrels, by far the most accessible overview of the Eagles' music today. Willie Hugh Nelson (born April 30, 1933) is an American entertainer and songwriter, born and raised in Abbott, Texas. ... Joe Ely (born February 9, 1947) is an Austin, Texas honky-tonk/country musician. ... The Band was an influential Canadian-American rock group of the 1960s and 1970s. ... Johnny Cash (born J. R. Cash, February 26, 1932 – September 12, 2003) was an influential American country and rock and roll singer and songwriter. ... Transatlantic Records was an independent British record label. ... Sanctuary Records is the largest independent record label in the United Kingdom, and the largest music management company in the world, looking after around 120 acts. ...

External links

• The Eagles' All Music Guide entry
• Terry Clarke's All Music Guide entry
• Terry Clarke's official site
• Discography
• January 1964 press clipping