The Eagles have partnered with some of the most legendary songwriters the industry has ever known, including Bob Seger, Jackson Browne, and Linda Ronstadt.
Surprisingly, the group also collaborated with Ronald and Nancy Reagan’s daughter.
According to Eagles Online Central, the former president’s daughter, Patti Davis, was romantically involved with Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon from 1974 to 1975.
One day, Leadon heard Davis working on a song when the two lived together. The guitarist helped Davis finish the piece, and he insisted on including it on their critically acclaimed album, One of These Nights.
Not All Of The Eagles Members Were Thrilled About The Collaboration With Davis
Unfortunately, the other members did not feel the same excitement over the collaboration titled, “I Wish You Peace.”
Members Glenn Frey and Don Henley were opposed to the song on their upcoming album, partly because they didn’t like it but mostly because they were liberal-leaning.
Neither Frey nor Henley was thrilled that Davis’ father was the Republican Governor of California at that time. Still, Leadon was insistent that they include the song. In an interview with Rock History Music, he recalled the tense interaction.
“I basically let it be known that if they didn’t record that song, that I was gonna break his arm, or something like that,” Leadon said with a laugh.
Even though Henley dismissed the song as “smarmy cocktail music,” the band included the piece as a way to keep the band together.
Unfortunately, Leadon left the band after One of These Nights became the Eagles’ first No. 1.
“Like anything, some people like it, some people don’t,” Leadon reflected. “Some people loved it and used it in their weddings. You just never know, man.”
Joe Walsh replaced Leadon, providing a more rock-oriented theme for their next release Hotel California.
Today, “I Wish You Peace” stands as a novelty that represents a tense time in the Eagles’ history.
In its review of the song, Rolling Stone wrote that it “comes as a trite after-thought, poorly sung.”
“Like anything, some people like it, some people don’t,” Leadon said. “Some people loved it and used it in their weddings. You just never know, man.”