At the 39th Kennedy Center Honors in December 2016, Bob Seger gave a moving performance of “Heartache Tonight” to honor The Eagles and his late friend, Glenn Frey. The event, held at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C., was attended by President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama, marking their final appearance at the Honors.
Seger, who co-wrote “Heartache Tonight” with Frey, Don Henley, and J.D. Souther, brought both energy and heartfelt emotion to the stage, paying tribute to a friendship that had lasted decades. His performance was part of a larger Eagles tribute that included Vince Gill singing “Peaceful Easy Feeling”, Kings of Leon performing “Take It Easy”, and Juanes joining guitarists Steve Vai and Steuart Smith for “Hotel California.”
The evening culminated in an all-star rendition of “Life in the Fast Lane”, featuring Seger, Gill, Kings of Leon, and more, with host Stephen Colbert even joining the ensemble. The tribute was introduced by Ringo Starr and later broadcast on CBS, reaching fans across the country.
Seger’s performance was widely praised as a standout moment, perfectly capturing the deep bond he shared with Frey while celebrating the lasting legacy of The Eagles.