The Eagles release Desperado

Desperado is the second studio album by the American rock band Eagles.

It was recorded at Island Studios in London, United Kingdom and released in 1973. Desperado is a concept album, based on the Dalton gang and the Old West.

Although the title track is one of the Eagles' signature songs, it was never released as a single. The song "Desperado" was ranked #494 on Rolling Stone's 2004 list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time". The album did yield two singles, though: "Tequila Sunrise" and "Outlaw Man". Those two singles reached #64 and #59 respectively. Although the album wasn't a commercial hit at the time, over the years it has come to recognition of being a creative and artistic masterpiece. It also serves as a perfect example of the Eagles early country sound with songs like "Twenty One" showcasing guitarist Bernie Leadon's abilities on the banjo. The album reached #41 on the charts and sold 2 million copies. It is considered by many to be one of the greatest country rock albums of all time.

This album was slated for Quadraphonic release and even given a Quadraphonic catalog number, but never released in the format.

Desperado was the last Asylum Records album to be distributed in North America by Atlantic Records (catalog no. SD 5068), prior to Asylum's mid-1973 merger with Elektra Records by Asylum's, Elektra's and Atlantic's parent company, Warner Communications.