When Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, most people thought the Eagles were done. Honestly, how could they not be? Frey was the spark plug, the guy who co-wrote the hits and sang the songs that defined a generation. Don Henley even said as much at first. But then, a phone call happened.
That call went to Vince Gill.
Since 2017, the Eagles band with Vince Gill has become one of the most successful, if slightly controversial, touring juggernauts in music history. It wasn't just a "fill-in" gig. It’s been nearly a decade now. Currently, in early 2026, the band is fresh off a massive residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas. If you haven't seen them there, you've missed something surreal—160,000 speakers blasting "Hotel California" while the desert sky swirls around you.
📖 Related: Why the Cast of Lethal Weapon 2 Made It the Best Sequel Ever Filmed
Why Vince Gill?
People forget that Vince Gill wasn't just some country singer they plucked from a hat. He’s a monster on the guitar. He’s got 22 Grammys. Most importantly, he has a high, pure tenor that can hit the notes Glenn Frey—and even Randy Meisner—left behind.
Don Henley was pretty blunt about the choice. He told Gill, "You’re the only guy I wanted, that I would have done this with." That’s high praise coming from one of the most meticulous guys in rock.
But Gill didn't just walk in and try to be Glenn. He knew better. He’s gone on record saying, "I don't sing like Glenn, and I don't pretend to." He calls himself a fan first. It’s a bit bittersweet for him. He’s said that in a perfect world, he wouldn't be in the band at all, because that would mean Glenn was still here.
The Setlist Shift
When you go to a show now, the vocal duties are split up in a way that keeps the harmony tight.
- Vince Gill handles the "pretty" songs: "Lyin' Eyes," "Take It to the Limit," and "New Kid in Town."
- Deacon Frey (Glenn’s son) takes on "Take It Easy" and "Peaceful Easy Feeling."
- Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit keep doing their thing.
There was a moment during a soundcheck a while back where Henley heard Gill playing his own solo hit, "Whenever You Come Around." Henley actually asked if the band should add it to the set. Gill turned him down.
He didn't want to give the "purists" any more ammunition. He knows there are fans out there who think the Eagles died in 2016. He wants to be respectful. He basically said, "I’m here to keep these songs afloat, not to turn this into a Vince Gill show."
👉 See also: Our House Song Madness: Why This 80s Anthem Still Refuses to Leave Our Heads
Living with the "Tribute Band" Label
You’ll see it inทุก comment section. "It’s just a cover band now." "No Glenn, no Eagles."
Gill hears it. He gets it. He’s even agreed with it at times, calling the original lineup "better" because, well, it was the original. But the reality is that the music is too big to just sit on a shelf. In 2026, the Eagles band with Vince Gill is still selling out arenas because people want to hear those harmonies live.
Is it the same? No. But it’s remarkably close. Gill’s guitar work on "Hotel California" alongside Joe Walsh and Steuart Smith is technical perfection. It’s not a replacement; it’s an evolution.
What's Next in 2026?
Vince is a busy man. He just announced his "50 Years From Home" summer tour, celebrating half a century since he left Oklahoma to chase music. He's also releasing a series of EPs—I Gave You Everything I Had, Secondhand Smoke, and Brown’s Diner Bar—which show he’s still got plenty of his own stories to tell.
But he isn't quitting his "day job" with the Eagles. The band has dates lined up through the spring of 2026 at the Sphere, and there’s no sign of them hanging up the guitars just yet.
If you’re planning to catch them, here is how to get the most out of the experience:
- Don't expect a carbon copy. Listen for the way Gill’s country-tinged "high lonesome" voice adds a different texture to "Take It to the Limit."
- Watch the Sphere visuals. If you're heading to Vegas, the 16K resolution screen makes the performance of "Life's Been Good" feel like a fever dream.
- Check the EPs. If you want to see what Gill is doing outside of the rock world, his 50 Years From Home series is a deep dive into his bluegrass and country roots.
The Eagles aren't just a band anymore; they're an institution. With Gill at the mic, they've found a way to age with grace without losing the grit.
Next Steps for Fans
Check the latest ticket availability for the final Sphere dates in March 2026 through official vendors like Ticketmaster. If you're more interested in Gill's solo work, his summer residency at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville starts July 30 and is expected to be a sellout.