On this day in music history: June 27, 1989 – “The End Of The Innocence”, the third album by Don Henley is released. Produced by Don Henley, Mike Corey, Mike Campbell, Bruce Hornsby, Greg Ladanyi, Danny Kortchmar and Stan Lynch, it is recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, CA from Early 1988 – Early 1989. Following the success of “Building The Perfect Beast”, nearly four years pass before Don Henley begins recording the follow up. Working again with Danny Kortchmar and Greg Ladanyi, he co-produces his new album with Mike Campbell (guitar, keyboards) and Stan Lynch (drums) (Tom Petty), keyboardist Mike Corey (Rod Stewart) and pianist Bruce Hornsby. Henley also surrounds himself with a number top studio players and high profile musicians including Wayne Shorter (soprano sax), David Paich (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums) (Toto), Guns ‘N Roses front man Axl Rose, Stanley Jordan (guitar), Steve Jordan (drums), Pino Palladino, Larry Klein (bass), Take 6, J.D. Souther, Ivan Neville, Melissa Etheridge, Patty Smyth, Valerie Carter, Edie Brickell, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters and a pre-fame Sheryl Crow (backing vocals). The title track “The End Of The Innocence” (#8 Pop, #1, #2 AC) begins with a piano instrumental written by Bruce Hornsby. Henley’s lyrics are inspired in part by a friend that he finds out is being indicted for securities fraud. It speaks of how many of the baby boomer generation’s idealism and desire to change the world in their youth, have given way to materialism and nihilism as they begin to enter middle age. Then recent current events including the Iran-Contra scandal and America under Ronald Reagan’s presidency are also reflected upon. The song is supported by a memorable music video directed by David Fincher, which wins Henley an MTV VMA for Best Male Video in 1990. Other stand out tracks include the singles “Heart Of The Matter” (#21 Pop, #3 AC), “The Last Worthless Evening” (#21 Pop, #5 AC), and “New York Minute” (#48 Pop, #5 AC). Don Henley his second Grammy Award as a solo artist for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the title track in 1990. His best selling solo album, it also marks the beginning of the end of Henley’s relationship with Geffen Records. Constantly at odds with label boss David Geffen, Henley seeks to break his ties with Geffen in 1993. The label responds by filing a $30 million dollar breach of contract suit against the musician, stating that Henley owes them two more albums and a greatest hits compilation. The suit drags on until 2000, parting with Geffen and signing with Warner Bros Records. “Innocence” is remastered and reissued as a gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, and as a DTS 5.1 surround mix by DTS Entertainment in 1998. “The End Of The Innocence” peaks at number eight on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 6x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.

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On this day in music history: June 27, 1989 – “The End Of The Innocence”, the third album by Don Henley is released. Produced by Don Henley, Mike Corey, Mike Campbell, Bruce Hornsby, Greg Ladanyi, Danny Kortchmar and Stan Lynch, it is recorded at A&M Studios in Hollywood, CA from Early 1988 – Early 1989. Following the success of “Building The Perfect Beast”, nearly four years pass before Don Henley begins recording the follow up. Working again with Danny Kortchmar and Greg Ladanyi, he co-produces his new album with Mike Campbell (guitar, keyboards) and Stan Lynch (drums) (Tom Petty), keyboardist Mike Corey (Rod Stewart) and pianist Bruce Hornsby. Henley also surrounds himself with a number top studio players and high profile musicians including Wayne Shorter (soprano sax), David Paich (keyboards), Jeff Porcaro (drums) (Toto), Guns ‘N Roses front man Axl Rose, Stanley Jordan (guitar), Steve Jordan (drums), Pino Palladino, Larry Klein (bass), Take 6, J.D. Souther, Ivan Neville, Melissa Etheridge, Patty Smyth, Valerie Carter, Edie Brickell, Julia Waters, Maxine Waters and a pre-fame Sheryl Crow (background vocals). The title track “The End Of The Innocence” (#8 Pop, #1, #2 AC) begins with a piano instrumental written by Bruce Hornsby. Henley’s lyrics are inspired in part by a friend that he finds out is being indicted for securities fraud. It speaks of how many of the baby boomer generation’s idealism and desire to change the world in their youth, have given way to materialism and nihilism as they begin to enter middle age. Then recent current events including the Iran-Contra scandal and America under Ronald Reagan’s presidency are also reflected upon. The song is supported by a memorable music video directed by David Fincher, which wins Henley an MTV VMA for Best Male Video in 1990. Other stand out tracks include the singles “Heart Of The Matter” (#21 Pop, #3 AC), “The Last Worthless Evening” (#21 Pop, #5 AC), and “New York Minute” (#48 Pop, #5 AC). Don Henley his second Grammy Award as a solo artist for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for the title track in 1990. In spite of becoming his best selling solo album, it marks the beginning of the end of Henley’s relationship with Geffen Records. Constantly at odds with label boss David Geffen over the terms of his recording and song publishing contracts, Henley seeks to break his ties with Geffen in 1993. The label responds by filing a $30 million dollar breach of contract suit against the musician, stating that Henley owes them two more albums and a greatest hits compilation. The suit drags on until 2000 when he finally parts with Geffen and signs with Warner Bros Records. “Innocence” is remastered and reissued as a gold CD by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab, and as a DTS 5.1 surround mix by DTS Entertainment in 1998. “The End Of The Innocence” peaks at number eight on the Billboard Top 200, and is certified 6x Platinum in the US by the RIAA.