After decades of fame, heartbreak, and timeless music, Don Henley, the legendary voice behind Hotel California and Desperado, has finally opened up about the great love that shaped his life. At 77, the Eagles frontman has revealed that behind the rock-star mystique and chart-topping success was always one woman who held his heart — the brilliant and elusive Loree Rodkin.
Their story began in 1974, at a time when the Eagles were on the brink of becoming one of the biggest bands in the world. Amid the chaos of touring, parties, and fame, Henley found peace in Rodkin’s calm, grounded energy. She wasn’t drawn to the spotlight — and that’s exactly what captivated him. Their Malibu romance, surrounded by music and moonlight, became the emotional anchor for a young artist trying to survive the dizzying rise of rock superstardom.
But as Henley’s fame exploded, the very success that united them began to pull them apart. Long nights in the studio, relentless tours, and the weight of fame proved too heavy. The breakup left its mark — not only on Henley but in the haunting lyrics of the Eagles’ classic “Wasted Time”, a song many now believe was inspired by their relationship. “It was a love that burned bright,” Henley reflected, “but sometimes the light burns too hot to last.”
In the years that followed, Henley’s romantic life became the stuff of legend — from his creative entanglement with Stevie Nicks, to high-profile flings with stars like Lois Chiles. Yet, despite the glamour and drama, none of it compared to the quiet, steady love he would later find.
That turning point came in the 1990s when Henley met Sharon Summerall, a former model who would become his wife in 1995. Their bond — built not on fame, but on compassion and understanding — became the grounding force in his life. When Summerall was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, Henley devoted himself to her care, standing by her side through every challenge. “True love,” he once said, “isn’t about the storm — it’s about who holds your hand through it.”
Now, as he looks back on a life of hits, heartbreak, and hard-won wisdom, Henley’s reflections are filled with gratitude. Loree Rodkin may have been the muse of his youth, but Sharon Summerall became the love that lasted — the calm after the music, the peace after the applause.
For a man who gave the world songs about love, loss, and redemption, Don Henley’s own story reads like one of his greatest ballads — proof that even rock stars find their forever home not in fame, but in the quiet endurance of love.
The music was timeless — but so, it turns out, was his heart.
https://youtu.be/bSIvxQ498ng
