Inside Story

The Eagles began their 2025 residency at Las Vegas’ Sphere on January 17 with a significant change to their lineup. Veteran Dallas session guitarist Chris Holt made his debut with the band, stepping in for longtime Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith, who recently announced his departure due to health concerns.

During the concert, singer-drummer-guitarist Don Henley introduced Holt to the audience, calling it “the first night of his side hustle with the Eagles.” Holt, who has an impressive resume performing with artists like Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, and Stevie Nicks, described the opportunity to play with the legendary rock band as “the highest honor” and a personal duty to “get it right.”

Holt is stepping into big shoes, replacing Smith, who had been with the Eagles since 2001. Smith, a revered session musician who worked with country icons such as Dolly Parton and Vince Gill, joined the band following the departure of Don Felder. Smith announced his retirement due to a diagnosis of Parkinsonism, a neurological condition that causes slow movements, tremors, and stiffness.

In a statement, Smith said, “I must bow out of my role with the Eagles while I can still do so gracefully. It’s been a great quarter of a century, and I had hoped to be able to finish out this year with the band. But I must now do what’s best for all concerned.”

Henley, the band’s last remaining original member, praised Smith’s contributions to the Eagles over the past 24 years. “The Eagles will be forever grateful for the extraordinary talents that he brought to both our recordings and live performances,” he said. “Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family. We know our many fans join us in wishing him well.”

Holt expressed admiration for the iconic guitar work of former Eagles members Don Felder and Bernie Leadon, acknowledging the challenge of performing their legendary solos with precision. “There’s a ton of iconic lead guitar to play — solos that people know every note of — so you wanna make sure you get the tones and the phrasing just right,” he said. “The Eagles are legendary perfectionists, and the parts are tricky, so it’s no easy feat to nail it, every time.”

The Eagles’ residency at the Sphere, dubbed their Long Goodbye tour, continues with dates on January 24 and 25, as well as additional shows in February. Fans can expect the band’s signature harmonies and timeless hits, now with Holt carrying forward the Eagles’ legacy of excellence.