Categories: The Interview

Maclean’s Interview: Don Felder

Guitarist Don Felder of the Eagles talks with Kenneth Whyte about ‘Hotel California,’ Power, greed and the third encore

by Kenneth Whyte on Monday, November 17, 2008 12:00am - 24 Comments

Q: Animosities and tensions build up, and Henley and Frey eventually tell you you’re no longer in the band. How does it feel to see them out there still under the banner of the Eagles?

A: Well, there are two things that strike me. Number one, I was sadly disappointed at their record musically. Henley and Frey used to be one of the greatest songwriting teams—like Lennon and McCartney—and for them to come out with their first single from a 1972 J.D. Souther song that I played on in ’72 or ’73 with J.D. and make that their first single, to me was like, “What?!?” I was really disappointed.

Q: They’re touring, playing the old songs, and making a lot of money, but creatively they seem to be exhausted.

A: That’s right. Now, the one thing that Don Henley and Glenn Frey told me as we were working on One of These Nights, “You know, we’re going to make a pact that we’re never going to be like the Beach Boys,” but indeed, ironically enough, that’s exactly what they are. It’s like the Eagles Orchestra now. You go back and listen to the Eagles from 1976, it’s five guys onstage, all singing, all playing, live. It’s not a bunch of overdubs and fixed-up tracks and accompanying musicians. You can really hear what that band used to be.

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  • FELDER & WALSH RULE

    Henley and Frey are assholes!! Don Felder is better off without those balding,(Henley anyway), graying, greedy arrogant OLD douche bags!! Hey Donnie BOY Henley, why don’t you get a Rogaine prescription next time your ass goes to pick up your Viagra.

  • Stephen Brody

    I think it’s extroadinarily ironic that Don Felder would choose Jeff Beck as the guy he considers to be rock’s greatest guitarist that he’s met. As a member of possibly the most commercial band in history, he managed to name the guy who is probably the least commercial artist in rock.I agree his assesment of Jeff’s skill. but If payola was still allowed, I don’t think Jeff could buy his way on to the playlists of most radio stations in America.

  • ed smith

    Felder was a key component to the band. Witness the Hell Freezes Over CD as opposed to the Australian concert and you will see what I mean. Stuart Smith is a great guitarist but Felder was the original and the band has suffered by firing him.

  • http://na E B Settle

    Over the long time I’ve been an Eagles Fan, I never realized how much a fan of Don Felder I was to become. In my opinion, when he became a member of the Eagles a good band became a great one. His acoustic intro to “Hotel California” on Hell Freezes Over speaks volumes to his talent. While the other members of the Eagles are talented as is Stuart Smith, for me it’s not the same. I would love to hear more from him in the future. I wouldn’t care if it was solo or with a different band. For anyone thinking about reading his book, it is very straightforward and ,from my own experience, with bands accurate account of how easily something so much fun can turn sour when egos get too big. It’s worth reading.

  • Aussieguru01

    I’m reading his book right now as a Xmas present to myself. The Eagles music was the soundtrack of my early teeenage years so reading Dons view on events & the cast he has mentioned in the book made it more real for me.

    Sad that drugs made the music of that era but I guess alot of great rock was spurned out that way even today. It’s good to see Don came throgh it all be it a little bruised!

  • alexander

    Reading Felders Book brings out one essential question in me: is it wrong to hold still for so many years as he did, in order to keep the artistic flow high and the fighting low within the band? He’s paid a hell of a price for all the millions he made with The Eagles only to be fired in the end, as the final point of years if not decades of humiliation and disgrace, being the punching bag for these two egomaniacs. What would his advice be to young musicians in similar situations?

  • Texican

    Having mourned the breakup of the eagles while in high school, and being a lead guitarist since 1979, this guy has long been my idol. The book is excellent and most importantly, I am so glad Don finally told Don and Glenn to kiss his a$$. Let’s see if they can master anotehr Hotel California. Steuart is good, but he is not an Eagle. Long love DF.

    • Ed

      The Eagles are just not the same without DF. I hope to hear more music by DF in the future. We need to hear it!!

  • Rod

    Just finished Don;s book. The guy is a champion and good on him for not taking a back seat to Don and Glenn, Irv well he's just a clown puppet! I guess that is waht Timothy and Joe are as well puppets. Can't wait to hear his new CD when it's done, it will be better than "Long Raod out to Jokerville" which had one good song on it…..Bring back the Felder!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Angie

    I recently watch the Hell Freezes Over Concert on VHCL. When Hotel California started with Felder's intro, the hair stood up on my arms!!!!! When I first heard this song I remember where I was and who I was with and thought "all my God". This last album Road to Nowhere or what ever, well to tell the truth just does not even sound like the same band. Something was very much missing. Maybe greed and egos are getting in the way of music. Don Felders guitar will be missed and as far as I am concerned the Eagles soar no more.

  • Mike

    Don Henley is a schmuck and a suck. There was a band a while back that wrote a song called "Don Henley Must Die"…yup, lighten up, Henley. And I'd like to be in a room with Frey for 5 minutes to verbally cut him down to size. Almost 60 and still trying to be a Detroit street rough. It's best Felder left when he did, cause I'd rather see him doing things on his own turf then towing the line to a couple of nutless, paranoid old sociopaths like those two. ………..Before reading his book, I met him and asked him about the current leg on the road "Hey, man how long you been on tour?" He gave me a sheepish look I will never forget, smiled, slightly lowered his head and said "All my life".

  • http://www.rockandrollcollection.com Stephen

    I saw the EAGLES on their "California" tour and the tour with their new LP. For anyone that has seen them before (way before) when they were still musically hungry, consider the fact that you probably saw an excellant show. Since now they are only $$ hungry, save your hard earned funds as the show lacks energy, spirit and fun. It's to be expected after firing Felder and not asking Bernie or Randy back, if even just as guests for a show or two.

  • http://www.rockandrollcollection.com Stephen

    ……………….another thought: Henley & Frey, if it isn't about the money, how about a charity benefit show here in L.A. WITH Bernie and Randy, the original 4, and perform your entire 1st two LP's. My god, what a thought ( that will never happen ).

    • Zippy

      They would have to grow a soul. They don't have one between them. It must really piss them off that the one song the Eagles will be remembered for forever wasn't even written by them. (The words were Henleys but its the music to that song that make it fantastic.)

  • Florence Agatha

    Don is really talented and you are always my idol with my greatest support. Please keep up and make more great music for us. Miss you always.

  • Gary

    I just saw Don Felder at Niagara Falls and he kicked ass. He is a fantastic guitar player and he is such a nice guy. I have not met him but after reading his book, I feel like I know him. I truly beleive that Henley and Frey are jerks and made a huge mistake in firing Don Felder. The Eeagles are dead, long live Don Felder!!!

  • Joel

    Since their inception you could always hear the perfection and first rate musical talents that lay within the band. Somehow, though, I'd always thought that a lot of pressure, both self-induced and from within the industry, caused a lot of personal and professional problems. When I read Don Felder's book it only confirmed my previous suspicions. Some of the extremes were funny, some unfortunate (ask Don himself), and some surprising. I enjoyed the book very much and wish Felder the best — a great guitarist who took a very long road and a very long time to find peace in his life. Don, as Bernie once wrote, I Wish You Peace. As for writing Hotel California, I'm envious that you did it so well, and thank you for that musical cornerstone in my life.

  • Steve

    Don Felder is an exceptional guitarist, a surprisingly good singer, and really nice, down-to-earth guy. When I heard him sing at a solo concert not long ago I had to wonder why he didn't do more prominent vocals with the Eagles — maybe he wouldn't have been seen as so expendable. Steuart Smith is an exceptional guitarist in his own right but he is not the Eagle who created the parts we hear. To watch Felder in concert is to see joy in making the music. His dexterity while playing is almost like massaging the sound from the guitar. I enjoyed his book for the stories and the behind-the-scenes viewpoints, and how The Eagles eventually lost themselves. The bit about the "Eagles Orchestra" is so true!

  • robert

    I am a repair plumber who worked for Don Felder at his home in Malibu, California. I was also an admiring fan of all these Eagle songsmiths. He happened to be home during one of my repair calls when he suddenly approached me and began verbally berating me. It was totally gratuitous. I kept my professional composure and excused myself from his incrediby rude behavior. Afterwards several of his house staff approached me and actually apologized for him, claiming he treated all of them with the same abuse and disrespect. I sympathise with Frey, Henley and his x-wife. He's a jerk and bully.

  • william

    good interview.

  • billyG

    I'm from the 60's and was never taken with any particular band until the Eagles came along with their smooth sounding, country rock, and when they disappeared from the scene, it was o-well. But when they reappeared on the scene with their Hell Freezes Over "video", it was totally "AWASOME". These 5 are musicians to the max; I had not realize how much talent each one possess and how they click as a group, and the orchestra that backed them was the "right touch", even if Henley had an "attitude" toward them. They've done nothing since that can remotely compare. The loss of Felder means that there is "no more" Eagles Band. But I've got my memrobelia video. Good luck, Don Felder; you're the best, shame on them.

  • http://www.youtube.com/longlostgus gus

    Wow, real thanks for posting this so great interview with Mr. Felder, just a pure and great Rock guitarist, way up there in rock's top players.
    I wonder if they'r still mad at each other or if the make peace (sorry for not reading all the way) I would really like to think they did, since they (Felder and the band)have so much water under the bridge.
    By the way He names Jeff Beck as the best guitarist in his book, is he that good? I haven't heard that much of his albums and I am well aware of his reputation but I thought he was going to mention maybe Hendrix, Clapton, Page, lot's of other great ones, hey but thats his opinion and he should know better of course.
    Real Thanks

  • jogo

    The truth is hard to tell. If you asked Henley or Frey they'd tell a different story. It is just so sad, that things like this happen, after all, because of money and greed. And Don Felder disappoints me, if it's true what robert the plumber said here earlier (and why should he say it, if it wasn't). I pity him because he seems to be unhappy and cannot appreciate his wonderful experiences.

  • jogo

    The truth is hard to tell. If you asked Henley or Frey they'd tell a different story. It is just so sad, that things like this happen, after all, because of money and greed. And Don Felder disappoints me, if it's true what robert the plumber said here earlier (and why should he say it, if it wasn't). I pity him because he seems to be unhappy and cannot appreciate his wonderful experiences.

    [youtube icTF5j5mkUQ&p=D1EA2619F6757D54&playnext=1&index=4 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icTF5j5mkUQ&p=D1EA2619F6757D54&playnext=1&index=4 youtube]

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