May 7: Eagles had everyone checking into ‘Hotel California’ in 1977

Published 5:00 am Thursday, May 7, 2020

“Hotel California,” a song by the Eagles that told of a mysterious, mythical place, hit No. 1 on the Billboard pop singles chart on this date in 1977.

The band’s founding and longtime members were Glenn Frey, Bearnie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Don Henley, a native of Linden. 

“Hotel California” won the Grammy for Song of the Year. 

In the Spotlight

— 2019: Golden native Kacey Musgraves appears on “Entertainment Tonight.” 

— 2014: Brady Smith, who attended Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, has a guest role on a two-part episode of “Criminal Minds.”

— 2013: Jay Hunter Morris, an opera singer who grew up in Paris, is a guest on “Charlie Rose.”

— 2013: Marshall native Brea Grant begins a starring role on TV’s “Eastsiders.”

— 2013: Lindale native Miranda Lambert is a guest on “Late Show with David Letterman.”

— 2013: David Sullivan, who grew up in Longview, has a role in the comedy “Beauty and the Least: The Misadventures of Ben Banks.”

— 2012: Atlanta native Tracy Lawrence appears on the TV show “Inside Music Row.”

— 2011: Jacksonville native Lee Ann Womack and Lindale native Miranda Lambert perform on the CMT special “What’s Your 20: 20 Greatest Women, 20 Years.” 

— 2010: “Gimmie that Girl” by Joe Nichols, of Tyler, is No. 34 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

— 2010: Marshall native Brea Grant plays Agent Zero in an episode of “A Good Knight’s Quest.”

— 2008: Jason Castro, of Rowlett, is eliminated on “American Idol” after making it to the final four.

— 2004: Anna Nicole Smith, who grew up in Mexia, is a guest on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.”

— 2002: Donna Bullock, who attended Tyler Junior College, has a guest role on “Smallville.”

— 1992: Edwin Neal, who attended Lon Morris College in Jacksonville, appears in the video “The Divine Enforcer.” 

— 1983: “Love on My Mind Tonight“ by The Temptations, featuring Texarkana native Otis Williams, peaks at No. 17 on the Billboard R&B singles chart.

— 1977: Wood County native Ray Price’s “Help Me” peaks at No. 38 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. 

— 1966: Groesbeck native Joe Don Baker has a guest role on “Gunsmoke.”

— 1957: Honey Grove native Bill Erwin appears in an episode of “Panic!”

— 1945: Panola County native Tex Ritter stars in “Enemy of the Law.”