Glenn Frey Crowned Joe Walsh as the Eagles' Biggest Party Animal

The guitarist's wild antics and excessive lifestyle became the stuff of legend within the band.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 2:25am

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When the Eagles rose to fame in the 1970s, the band's members were known for their hard-partying ways, with guitarist Joe Walsh emerging as the undisputed champion of excess. According to founding member Glenn Frey, Walsh's wild behavior, which included trashing a hotel room with John Belushi, surpassed even the legendary antics of The Who's Keith Moon.

Why it matters

The Eagles' rise to superstardom coincided with the band members' growing appetite for the rock 'n' roll lifestyle, which threatened to undermine their musical achievements. The tension between the band's polished, country-tinged sound and their off-stage chaos became a defining part of their legacy.

The details

As the Eagles transitioned from their early, more country-influenced sound to the harder-edged rock of albums like 'Hotel California', the band's internal dynamics shifted. There was a quiet competition among the members to outperform each other, both on stage and off. This led to an increase in substance abuse and other reckless behavior, with guitarist Joe Walsh emerging as the most extreme example. Walsh's wild partying, which included trashing a hotel room with comedian John Belushi, became the stuff of legend within the band.

  • In the mid-1970s, as the Eagles were reaching the height of their fame and success.
  • One infamous incident occurred in a high-end hotel in Chicago.

The players

Glenn Frey

A founding member of the Eagles and the band's lead vocalist on many of their biggest hits.

Joe Walsh

The guitarist who joined the Eagles in the mid-1970s, bringing a more rock-oriented sound and a reputation for excessive partying.

John Belushi

The famous comedian who joined Walsh in trashing a hotel room in Chicago, an incident that became legendary within the band.

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What they’re saying

“Frey didn't hesitate when talking about it later. In his eyes, Walsh stood above everyone else when it came to excess. Not just another hard partier—something closer to a legend in that space.”

— Glenn Frey, Founding Member, The Eagles

The takeaway

The Eagles' rise to superstardom was marked by a growing tension between their polished, country-influenced sound and the band members' increasingly excessive off-stage behavior. Guitarist Joe Walsh emerged as the undisputed champion of this rock 'n' roll excess, with his wild antics and partying becoming the stuff of legend within the band.