Vince Gill sat down with American Songwriter for an exclusive new interview and recalled when Don Henley was asked why he decided to ‘put a country guy’ in Eagles. Gill shared Henley’s response and said of his approval:
“He smiled and said, ‘Because he knows how to be in a band.’ That was just such a beautiful validation. I don’t have to have the attention. I don’t have to have the spotlight. I don’t have to do all the talking. It’s proven to me that it doesn’t really matter what role you have, just as long as what you’re trying to do is make it better. That’s what I like.”
Joining Eagles Was ‘An Honour’
Gill joined the Eagles in 2017 after Glenn Frey passed away. Fans were surprised because the band is known for their rock with a bit of country, and Gill was seen as a big change.
The rocker said in an earlier interview that joining the band was an honor and an easy choice. He also added that the compliment he got from Henley was his favorite:
“My favorite compliment came from Don Henley, who got a country rock guy in his band because I know how to be in a band. That’s high praise. I know what’s needed and don’t waste time playing stuff that no one wants to hear.”
Gill Wants To Play His Own Songs
After joining the Eagles, Gill realized he missed playing his own songs.
His hits include ‘When I Call Your Name,’ ‘Never Knew Lonely,’ ‘Liza Jane,’ ‘I Still Believe in You,’ ‘Don’t Let Our Love Start Slipping Away,’ and ‘One More Last Chance.’
Gill said the Eagles’ songs are great, but his songs are a better fit for him:
“I think that I sing those Eagle songs fine and all of that, but they weren’t written for me, weren’t written melodically for my voice. Anybody could sing a great song. A great song doesn’t need a great singer or the original singer or any of those kinds of things. But these songs of mine were kind of tailor-made for the way I sing.”
The singer has recently played his own songs at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium starting on August 1. The four-day shows will wrap up on August 4.