Don Felder in the Press/Blogs/etc.

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Originally Posted by SilverMoon

Yesterday was the anniversary of Don Felder’s firing and Eagles Fastlane posted on Facebook a link to an article about it. Musician and songwriter Bruce Gaitsch, who co-wrote many songs on two of Timothy’s solo albums, commented on that post. Here’s what he wrote:

http://i1278.photobucket.com/albums/...s979162e2.jpeg

This is the article on the anniversary: http://ultimateclassicrock.com/the-e...re-don-felder/

Here is Bruce Gaitsch’s Wikipedia page: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruce_Gaitsch

I agree with Bruce Gaitsch. Don Felder is IRREPLACEABLE.

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I wonder if there are any Felder fans that don't like The Eagles. I've never heard anybody say his solo stuff is better then his Eagles stuff. They must love the Eagles and hate them too. :eyebrow:


Who was the best addition to the Eagles line up?

1: Joe Walsh
2: Timothy B Schmit
Last: Don Felder

Who was the greatest loss to the Eagles?

1: Randy Meisner
2: Bernie Leadon
last: Don Felder

Who is/was the most insignificant member of the Eagles?

1: Don Felder


The Eagles don't sound like a copy band. They sound like a bunch of old men performing tracks they first performed when they were young men.

But they're still fillin' 'and still thrillin' :ziplip:

IMO Felder was more important than Timothy, but Joe may have been the best addition since he not only brought some nice songwriting and guitar playing, but keyboard stuff as well. Joe's electric piano and organ play a huge part in New Kid In Town. A HUGE part.
Felder played organ in The Long Run, of course, but anyone could've played that. He's just following Glenn's rhythm guitar part. It adds nothing to the song. (or is Glenn following Don's organ part?)

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Originally Posted by chaim

He's just following Glenn's rhythm guitar part. It adds nothing to the song. (or is Glenn following Don's organ part?)

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Or according to some they all just followed Otis Clay's Tryin' to Live My Life Without You ;)

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Originally Posted by thelastresort

Or according to some they all just followed Otis Clay's Tryin' to Live My Life Without You ;)

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Wow! I wasn't aware of this song. Sounds like the same chord progression. But Glenn's rhythm part is slightly different IMO. About the only thing that is slightly different!:hilarious:

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

The Eagles don't sound like a copy band. They sound like a bunch of old men performing tracks they first performed when they were young men.

But they're still fillin' 'and still thrillin' :ziplip:

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F50, aren't you the one that said you haven't been to see them in concert recently? Haven't seen the HOTE tour? Maybe I have you confused with someone else. I've been to several, and not once did I feel they sounded like a bunch of old men. In fact, the most overheard comment when leaving an arena is that they sound exactly the same as they did when they were younger.

Both times I saw them last summer they were faultless vocally, Lyin' Eyes and D-D/D Reprise especially were just as good as their renditions of them back in the 1970s. The only one that was a bit off was TBS's voice on I Can't Tell You Why the first time around, however eight days later that was back to being as good as ever. Quite incredible when you bear in mind their age.

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Originally Posted by chaim

As much as I like to criticize Don for his various statements, I think his voice is rather nice for a guitarist who never really sang lead.

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True, and I don't mean to diminish Felder's skills, which are considerable.

However, the accusation of "copy band" is far more applicable to a man singing songs like "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Witchy Woman," and "Take It Easy" live which he didn't even contribute to in the studio, nevermind vocally, than it is applicable to the Eagles doing their songs without Felder playing guitar.

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Originally Posted by VAisForEagleLovers

F50, aren't you the one that said you haven't been to see them in concert recently? Haven't seen the HOTE tour? Maybe I have you confused with someone else. I've been to several, and not once did I feel they sounded like a bunch of old men. In fact, the most overheard comment when leaving an arena is that they sound exactly the same as they did when they were younger.

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The last time I saw the Eagles was in 2011. First time 1996. I never saw them in the 70s.

None of the tracks that they performed at both shows were better the second time around. They've always put on a great show but their musical peak was almost 40 years ago.

I think anybody that says they sound the same as they did in the 70s is deluded. Fans are saying they should call it quits within the next five years. Nobody was suggesting that in the 70s.

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

The last time I saw the Eagles was in 2011. First time 1996. I never saw them in the 70s.

None of the tracks that they performed at both shows were better the second time around. They've always put on a great show but their musical peak was almost 40 years ago.

I think anybody that says they sound the same as they did in the 70s is deluded. Fans are saying they should call it quits within the next five years. Nobody was suggesting that in the 70s.

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I don't doubt they had their peak in the 70's, however that's a far cry from sounding like a bunch of old men now. Perhaps they don't sound as good as they did back then, but you made them sound like a bunch of geezers on the stage pretending to be young again. I'm not sure what fans are saying they should call it quits in the next five years. I'm thinking they will of their own accord, and some on here have agreed. For me, as long as the show they put on is worth the money and effort it takes to get to a show, I say they should keep on keeping on. Rather selfish of me since I assume they have other things they want to do in regards to their families.

At any rate, there are plenty that I've spoken to that went to their concerts in the 70's and have gone to shows on this last tour, and they all said they were better or just as good now. Of course, they meant the entire show and not just the vocals. Two of the men I'm thinking of had never seen them with Joe. The one lady I spoke with in Des Moines said the show she saw in the 70's, she felt there had been something wrong, they'd all seemed like they were in really bad moods. And of course, pleasure just experienced is usually perceived to be better than pleasure remembered, and hearing and seeing these guys is definitely a pleasure.

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

I think anybody that says they sound the same as they did in the 70s is deluded. Fans are saying they should call it quits within the next five years. Nobody was suggesting that in the 70s.

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Not deluded at all, the 5+ hours of evidence I saw and heard only a few months ago backs up what I think. I have no idea how they do it but they are absolutely flawless: obviously not as energetic (no conveniently-placed lines of coke!), but technically still as good as ever. The only reason I am not opposed to their retirement soon is that I want them to go out on a high, not to cheapen themselves by having to drop complex songs and cull setlists. In five years time they will all be well in excess of 70. They will lose that spark by then and alas may even have other health concerns. They deserve to be able to enjoy the rest of their lives having basically devoted over five tireless decades to it. They've proved their worth.

I don't know of any fans calling for their retirement, but I don't doubt some exist out there. However, they probably haven't been to a show in years either.

I must say that this was the first time I heard that people wish they would soon retire. With KISS it's a totally different matter, because Paul has lost his voice after abusing for decades with the between-songs screaming. So I've seen a lot of comments about KISS quitting. But not Eagles.

This is a funny place for the discussion of whether they should retire. My belief is that as individuals, they don't sound as good as they did in the 1970s but as a group they are almost as good, it just takes more people.

I haven't heard anyone say they wish they would retire either. I've certainly enjoyed the shows I've been to in the past few years and was amazed each time at how great they sounded! No, they don't sound exactly like they sounded back in the 70's or even 90's for that matter, but they still sound fantastic and it seems everyone in the arenas I've been to were in agreement by the standing ovations and cheers and applause they received.

Yes, they will quit sometime, and I will be a sad, sad person cause I've loved their music for so many years. The sad part is that we are all getting older and what that brings. But, the music will live on and never be forgotten!

Back to actually talking about Don Felder in the Press, here's an interview he did recently. I haven't read the entire thing, but he's spot-on with his first answer!

http://www.soundandvision.com/conten...solution-hotel

Hmmm...in the interview he said Henley told him to do an acoustic intro to HC for HFO. In his book he said it was Glenn (page 258).

As much as I love Don Felder and miss him onstage, I also dread the day they retire. My favorite band of all time.

Thank You so much for posting the interview VAisForEagleLovers


http://www.soundbard.com/soundbard/d...-lovely-place/


"Hotel Felderfornia!"

Great to hear that Felder is continuing his abstinence of dissing the Eagles.

Delighted he's almost obligated to do some Airborne material during his next tour. I'd prefer Still Alive or Never Surrender to Bad Girls or All Of Me but anything non Eagles is a positive move. Nobody seems to be yelling for Visions. :grin:

..and Don is mistaken, Joe played Hotel California without a pick. Mostly thumb but he couldn't do those great winding arpeggios that ended his solo with a pick.

http://vimeo.com/32659326

Did I mention that Felder made up the intro on the spot! :thud:

If I remembered, Don didn't play with a pick either on HFO HC.

It's a good interview from Don's perspective. He clarifies how the ending to HC got written. About a year ago if you remember, he said one thing and what he said in the documentary was another thing, and this describes it way better.

Mr. Voket, on the other hand, could use a good proof-reader.

http://newtownbee.com/news/0001/11/3...ur-ahea/253583

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Originally Posted by VAisForEagleLovers

It's a good interview from Don's perspective. He clarifies how the ending to HC got written. About a year ago if you remember, he said one thing and what he said in the documentary was another thing, and this describes it way better.

Mr. Voket, on the other hand, could use a good proof-reader.

http://newtownbee.com/news/0001/11/3...ur-ahea/253583

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That's the kind of interview/article I don't like. I know it's a promotional piece and he has to talk up himself and his achievements but it's misleading and makes it sound like he played a much bigger part in the music of everyone listed than was true. It's the kind of piece that makes me doubt his integrity.

And then there's the classic:

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My show is about 65 or 70 percent songs I either co-wrote, recorded or played live with the Eagles songs for the 27 years I was in the band, but I do have some new songs in my set from my latest CD.

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Looking at his most recent setlist. Out of a total 17 songs, 13 were "Eagles" songs (76%), 3 of which he co-wrote, 9 of which he recorded, and 13 of which he played live for, at most, 10 years.

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Originally Posted by VAisForEagleLovers

It's a good interview from Don's perspective. He clarifies how the ending to HC got written. About a year ago if you remember, he said one thing and what he said in the documentary was another thing, and this describes it way better.

Mr. Voket, on the other hand, could use a good proof-reader.

http://newtownbee.com/news/0001/11/3...ur-ahea/253583

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Thanks for the link VAisForEagleLovers.

A new anecdote from Don although I'm not sure if he actually got to play guitar for Michael Jackson in London, plus there's a little extra to his Tom Petty story.

He didn't just give Tom Petty guitar lessons, it looks like Don's responsible for him becoming a front man.

As for the 65-70% Eagles songs. Don's a great guitar player but a lousy mathematician, with a propensity for exaggeration.:)

While he was still an Eagle, one of Don's anecdotes about the Hotel California guitar solo/duet was, and I'm paraphrasing here, a passing Henley saying "It's great! but I think you can do better, keep working on it." Henley returned some time later, saying. "Yeah, that's more like it" when it was exactly the same as before he left.

Will Don ever let us hear his original demo of Hotel California?

I can expand on how he says he 'enjoys' (present tense) collaborations with people like the Gibbs. He played on He's A Liar from Living Eyes back in 1981. He does a nice solo. That is the only time he ever worked with them. I am a huge Bee Gees fan.

The singer and guitar slinger, who is equally comfortable as a songwriter and producer, has also been a go-to resource for such diverse talents as Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Boz Scaggs, Warren Zevon, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and Sir Elton John.

If someone can tell me when Felder has ever worked with Stevie Wonder or Sir Elton John I would be very grateful. I am also dubious about the Seger & Cooper claims.

Notice also the claim that he 'left' the band.

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Originally Posted by Freypower

I can expand on how he says he 'enjoys' (present tense) collaborations with people like the Gibbs. He played on He's A Liar from Living Eyes back in 1981. He does a nice solo. That is the only time he ever worked with them. I am a huge Bee Gees fan.

The singer and guitar slinger, who is equally comfortable as a songwriter and producer, has also been a go-to resource for such diverse talents as Bob Seger, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Boz Scaggs, Warren Zevon, Joni Mitchell, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Tommy Shaw of Styx, and Sir Elton John.

If someone can tell me when Felder has ever worked with Stevie Wonder or Sir Elton John I would be very grateful. I am also dubious about the Seger & Cooper claims.

Notice also the claim that he 'left' the band.

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He did play on one of Seger's albums. I'll find the info.

ETA: Even Now and Boomtown Blues on The Distance album. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dis...ob_Seger_album)

Actually he's on Ain't Got No Money from Stranger In Town as well, but playing on a couple of albums doesn't make him a 'go to' man. Glenn is also on The Distance as he is on both Stranger In Town & Against The Wind. So this claim could be made for Glenn too. And we are talking three decades ago.

According to Allmusic.com...

Felder played guitar of Bob Seger's "The Distance" in 1982 (Danny Kortchmar also has a guitar credit) and "Stranger in Town" in 1978. I don't get a match for Elton John but the Eagles did an encore with Elton around 1975. It looks like he played on one song each for Barbra Streisland and Diana Ross. From his book, he played one session with Joni Mitchell but wasn't sure he made it onto the final track. Of course, the list may be incomplete or he may be uncredited.

ETA: That doesn't seem to be that credible a source as it gives him a credit on the first two Eagles albums.

That list of artists may come from Felder's own website, so he probably has worked with all of them. This is the text:

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In fact, it was Leadon who encouraged him to come out to Los Angeles, where Felder found himself working both with The Eagles and in both sessions and live performances for numerous music legends spanning the musical spectrum: The Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Boz Scaggs, Warren Zevon, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand – and even and old friend, Steven Stills.

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Decades ago. If he did work with Elton it was probably during the mid 80s when Elton's work was on the decline. That isn't a reflection on Felder; he is probably on an album I didn't buy because Elton had gone so far downhill.

He has not worked with any of these artists in recent times. So he's entitled to say he worked with them, but perhaps he should give an indication of when it happened.

I'm an Alice Cooper fan. I have all his albums. But I'm not a trivia freak. And I don't know anything about his tours. So this was the first time I heard that Don has been a "go-to resource" for Alice Cooper. Does anyone know anything about this? When I googled them together, the only result I got was one gig where he, Alice and Johnny Depp appeared together.

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Originally Posted by chaim

I'm an Alice Cooper fan. I have all his albums. But I'm not a trivia freak. And I don't know anything about his tours. So this was the first time I heard that Don has been a "go-to resource" for Alice Cooper. Does anyone know anything about this? When I googled them together, the only result I got was one gig where he, Alice and Johnny Depp appeared together.

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I assumed as with Elton John this was session work & as I said, I have never heard of such a collaboration.

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Originally Posted by Freypower

I assumed as with Elton John this was session work & as I said, I have never heard of such a collaboration.

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I think I've browsed through all the player credits at some point on all the Cooper albums. I don't remember any names, but I'd like to think that I had noticed a name like "Don Felder". If he's played on a Cooper album I somehow missed his name, or he wasn't credited.

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Originally Posted by chaim

I'm an Alice Cooper fan. I have all his albums. But I'm not a trivia freak. And I don't know anything about his tours. So this was the first time I heard that Don has been a "go-to resource" for Alice Cooper. Does anyone know anything about this? When I googled them together, the only result I got was one gig where he, Alice and Johnny Depp appeared together.

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Golf!

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

Golf!

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Umm - yeah. They've probably played golf together. That was my first thought as well. Then I thought surely Felder wouldn't claim he had worked with someone like Alice Cooper when all he has done is play golf with him. Surely not. And I am still scratching my head over the Elton John claim. As someone else said, there was one appearance with Elton at Wembley in 1975. That doesn't really translate to being a 'go to' man for him, does it.

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Felder found himself working both with The Eagles and in both sessions and live performances for numerous music legends spanning the musical spectrum: The Bee Gees, Bob Seger, Michael Jackson, Alice Cooper, Kenny Loggins, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Boz Scaggs, Warren Zevon, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks, Vince Gill, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Paul Simon, Diana Ross, Barbara Streisand – and even and old friend, Steven Stills.

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[Thanks UndertheWire]

There were a few surprises on this list for me too. I've got all Nicks and Zevon's albums. Quite a few CSN and Elton John albums too. I sure I would have noticed Don's name listed in the album credits.

DR and BS worked a bit with the brothers Gibb. Felder was selling real estate during the 80s.

I remember seeing a photo of the Eagles doing an encore with Elton John on piano. It may have been from Wembley 1975. Would that count?

My favourite tracks with Felder providing guitar are Stevie Nicks' The Highwayman (with a brilliant Henley harmony vocal too) and Joe Vitale's funky reggae duet with Marilyn Martin, Man Gonna Love You.

Not that much of a fan of Felder's leads but I love his pedal steel playing. The Last Resort and Walsh's Second Hand Store are fine examples.


I'm sure if Alice Cooper ever fancies a round of Golf, Felder's the "go to" guy as he hasn't much else on :thumbsup:

The list probably came from Don or his website, the "go-to" part is down to the writer.

It reminds me of the kind of job application you put together when your experience is a bit limited - you include every workshop or work experience that you've ever done - and then as your career progresses, you start to trim it until eventually you only write in depth on your most recent jobs because noone's going to offer you a job based on something you did thirty years ago. It's just that Don hasn't done that edit.

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Originally Posted by UndertheWire

The list probably came from Don or his website, the "go-to" part is down to the writer.

It reminds me of the kind of job application you put together when your experience is a bit limited - you include every workshop or work experience that you've ever done - and then as your career progresses, you start to trim it until eventually you only write in depth on your most recent jobs because noone's going to offer you a job based on something you did thirty years ago. It's just that Don hasn't done that edit.

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Or he didn't give it at all and the writer did an internet search that may or may not have been accurate.

In today's age of lazy journalism where both fact and fiction are parroted endlessly as "news" from one site to the next, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that were the case, VA. I have seen so many errors perpetuated by people who do Google searches and don't fact check before they post; each erroneous repost gives the false info more "credence". Anyone who is a member of Facebook sees daily proof of this with all the hoaxes circulated there that are believed by so many people.

I don't believe Felder would lie about who he'd worked with in the past. He has no reason to do so.

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Originally Posted by sodascouts

In today's age of lazy journalism where both fact and fiction are parroted endlessly as "news" from one site to the next, I wouldn't be at all surprised if that were the case, VA. I have seen so many errors perpetuated by people who do Google searches and don't fact check before they post; each erroneous repost gives the false info more "credence". Anyone who is a member of Facebook sees daily proof of this with all the hoaxes circulated there that are believed by so many people.

I don't believe Felder would lie about who he'd worked with in the past. He has no reason to do so.

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Perhaps not but a couple of us who have a lot of these artists' work are struggling to come up with any instance of Felder working with them.

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Originally Posted by Funk 50

[Thanks UndertheWire]

There were a few surprises on this list for me too. I've got all Nicks and Zevon's albums. Quite a few CSN and Elton John albums too. I sure I would have noticed Don's name listed in the album credits.

DR and BS worked a bit with the brothers Gibb. Felder was selling real estate during the 80s.

I remember seeing a photo of the Eagles doing an encore with Elton John on piano. It may have been from Wembley 1975. Would that count?

My favourite tracks with Felder providing guitar are Stevie Nicks' The Highwayman (with a brilliant Henley harmony vocal too) and Joe Vitale's funky reggae duet with Marilyn Martin, Man Gonna Love You.

Not that much of a fan of Felder's leads but I love his pedal steel playing. The Last Resort and Walsh's Second Hand Store are fine examples.


I'm sure if Alice Cooper ever fancies a round of Golf, Felder's the "go to" guy as he hasn't much else on :thumbsup:

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Of course Wembley 1975 doesn't count as 'work'. Not in my view, anyway.

I gave the specific example of his one session with the Bee Gees. I had that album. I still have that one track, He's A Liar.

Four out of five of the Eagles 1980 album are on Zevon's Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School album. Felder plays on the track A Certain Girl.

If someone else did some research and compiled the list of artists, I wonder where he/she got Alice Cooper's name. With "Go-to" or not, Alice (or Elton) shouldn't be there at all if they were just one-off appearances on the same stage on one or two songs.

As for job application, I think that Don is at a point in his career where he wouldn't have to list every artist he's played a song with on stage. He's an Eagles guitarist who wrote Hotel California (:hilarious:). I don't think Alice Cooper brings that much more respect for his body of work.

I wouldn't be surprised if the "go-to" part did come from Don. There's similar stuff in his book. "Would you play on my album. I could really used your input". It fits his style - "people really want me to play for them" kind of thing.