Which Eagles member sang lead vocals on 'Desperado'?

Don Henley sang lead vocals on the Eagles’ song “Desperado.” His distinctive, weathered delivery helped define the ballad’s lonely outlaw character and became one of the recording’s most recognizable features.

“Desperado” was written by Henley and Glenn Frey during the earliest stage of their songwriting partnership. Henley had begun the song years earlier, originally imagining a character named Leo, and Frey helped reshape it into the Western-themed version released by the Eagles.

The track appeared on the band’s second studio album, Desperado, released in 1973. Henley also played drums on the recording, while Frey played piano and contributed backing vocals. The arrangement includes strings recorded with musicians from the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

Listeners sometimes associate Frey with the song because he co-wrote it and was a major Eagles vocalist. However, on the original Eagles recording, Henley is the lead singer.