The Boys of Summer

Zoo Freaks, get ready to cruise down memory lane with the Zoo Crew as we spin Don Henley's classic, "The Boys of Summer" from his 1984 album Building the Perfect Beast. This track, a nostalgic anthem of lost youth and summer love, has some juicy trivia behind it. The music was composed by Mike Campbell of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, who originally demoed it using a LinnDrum drum machine and Oberheim OB-X synthesizer. Campbell offered it to Tom Petty for their album Southern Accents, but Petty passed, feeling it didn’t fit. Producer Jimmy Iovine suggested Campbell share it with Henley, who wrote the evocative lyrics and transformed it into a hit. Henley later revealed in a 1987 Rolling Stone interview that the song is about aging and questioning the past, with the iconic line about a “Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac” symbolizing his generation’s sell-out. Fun fact: Henley recorded the song in a lower key initially but sped it up to hit the right vibe, as shared by a producer’s assistant on the Gearspace forum. The song’s black-and-white music video, directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, won Video of the Year at the 1985 MTV Video Music Awards, with Henley jokingly noting he won for “riding around in the back of a pickup.”

Another tidbit for you Zoo Freaks: the song’s creation had a serendipitous twist. Tom Petty recounted in a biography that he and Campbell were testing a mix of their song “Don’t Come Around Here No More” in a car when they turned on the radio and heard Henley’s “The Boys of Summer” playing—using Campbell’s demo that Petty had rejected. Petty later admitted to Campbell that passing on it was a mistake, as shared in posts on Reddit. The track’s repetitive guitar riff, played over a VI-IV-V-IV chord pattern, gives it that haunting, summery feel, and it hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100 while topping the Top Rock Tracks chart. Covers by artists like The Ataris (who swapped “Deadhead sticker” for “Black Flag sticker,” much to Henley’s chagrin) and DJ Sammy kept the song alive, but Henley’s original remains untouchable, earning him a Grammy for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance in 1986.

Now, let’s dive into how Don Henley became the legend we’re grooving to today. Born Donald Hugh Henley on July 22, 1947, in Gilmer, Texas, he grew up in the small town of Linden, where his love for music was sparked by exotic sounds from radio stations in New Orleans, Nashville, and Ciudad Acuna, Mexico. These broadcasts introduced him to blues, bluegrass, gospel, jazz, and rock and roll, shaping his eclectic style. Henley’s parents—his father ran an auto parts business, and his mother was a teacher—encouraged his musical interests, though he initially took to football before a high school injury led him to join the marching band, where he picked up drums. He played in a band called the Four Speeds, later renamed Shiloh, during high school. After briefly attending Stephen F. Austin University and North Texas State University as an English literature major, Henley returned to Linden to care for his ailing father, resuming gigs with Shiloh.

In 1970, Henley’s big break came when Kenny Rogers caught Shiloh’s act and urged them to move to Los Angeles. There, they recorded an album for Amos Records, but Henley’s real leap forward was meeting Glenn Frey, another aspiring musician. The two joined Linda Ronstadt’s backup band, the Stone Poneys, for a 1971 Disneyland gig and backed her on her 1972 self-titled album. This collaboration birthed the Eagles, with Henley, Frey, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner forming the group in 1971. Henley became the Eagles’ drummer, vocalist, and co-songwriter, penning hits like “Hotel California,” “Desperado,” and “Best of My Love.” After the Eagles’ initial breakup, Henley launched his solo career with 1982’s I Can’t Stand Still, followed by the smash Building the Perfect Beast. His commitment to environmental causes and artists’ rights has also marked his career, making him a true rock icon.

Zoo Freaks, you can keep up with Don Henley’s latest vibes on his official website, where you’ll find news about his music and the Eagles’ residencies. Connect with him on Facebook, Instagram, and X for updates and throwback posts. For those craving more, check out fan communities like the Eagles Fan Group on Facebook, where devotees share love for Henley and his bandmates. Another great spot is the fan-run Eagles Online Central, packed with discographies, photos, and forums for die-hard fans. So, crank up “The Boys of Summer,” roll down the windows, and let the Zoo Crew take you back to those endless summer nights!