The audacity of some con artists is almost admirable—if only they weren’t using their creativity for deception. Lewis Peter “Buddy” Morgan took impersonation to another level, convincing people that he was not just one, but two different members of the Eagles.
Morgan’s scam took off in the mid-’80s when he began posing as Don Henley, the Eagles’ iconic singer and drummer. With just enough confidence and a few well-placed lies, he enjoyed the perks of rockstar status—free drinks, fancy dinners, top-tier musical equipment, and plenty of attention.
But he wasn’t satisfied with just one fake identity. As his con expanded, he took on yet another persona, doubling down on his deception and fooling even more unsuspecting fans and businesses. His brazen tactics made him a legend in the world of music-related fraud—one who left a trail of disbelief and frustration in his wake.
A Conman on the Run
Morgan’s luck finally ran out in 1988 when he was arrested in Las Vegas. Authorities caught up with his elaborate deception, and he was released on bail for $50,000. But instead of facing the consequences, he made a run for it, skipping his scheduled court appearance and turning himself into a fugitive.
Rather than taking his close call as a wake-up call, Morgan doubled down on his reckless ways. Instead of laying low, he found himself drawn back to the same scam that had landed him in trouble in the first place.
Before long, he was at it again—this time impersonating yet another member of the Eagles. His refusal to change course would only push him further down a path of self-destruction.
A Calculated Deception
Morgan wasn’t just reckless—he was strategic. He knew that choosing the right band to impersonate was key, and the Eagles were a perfect target. Almost everyone had heard of them, making his scam believable enough to fool unsuspecting fans and businesses.
But he didn’t go for the obvious choice. Instead of posing as one of the band’s biggest stars, he picked a lesser-known member who had left in the late 1970s. This gave him an extra layer of protection—fewer people would question his identity or challenge his claims.
After all, impersonating Don Henley, Joe Walsh, or Glenn Frey would have been a much riskier move. Their fame made them instantly recognizable, and the chances of getting caught were too high. Morgan, however, knew how to fly just under the radar.
The Perfect Cover
Randy Meisner was the ideal target for an imposter. Unlike the band’s bigger names, he wasn’t instantly recognizable, making it much easier for someone to step into his identity without raising suspicion.
Outside of old photos from the Eagles’ heyday, most people wouldn’t know what Meisner looked like—especially in later years. This meant fewer chances of someone calling out the deception on sight.
To complete the illusion, the imposter armed himself with just enough knowledge about the band. He could hold a conversation about life as a former rock star, dropping just the right details to make his story sound convincing.