Originally Posted by
Ive always been a dreamer
First of all, I apologize for the length of this post, but there are a lot of topics being discussed here that I wanted to comment about.
My previous response in this thread was about the original topic - the interview that Felder did with Jeff Probst. I stand by my comments that the interview was very misleading and negative. Compare this interview with the one just recently posted in the Felder interview thread. To me, it is an entirely different tone. For me personally, I don’t necessarily care what shows any of the guys choose to appear on - I care more about what they have to say on them. Obviously, some interviewers are much more sensational than others, but my problem is that, in this case, Felder took the bait. It’s been a while since I listened to Joe’s interview with Howard Stern, but I do remember some of us criticized some of the things he did/said in the interview. The one thing that I do remember well is that I especially thought it was a bad choice for Joe to sing Desperado when he was, obviously, blitzed. However, for the most part, I enjoyed Joe’s interview primarily because he did a good job of not letting the ‘shock jock’ bait him.
Now, with regard to some of the other discussion that has come up here, I do believe that listing of credits is important for artists and I also believe that artists are ultimately responsible for what is listed on any officially released band publication. I also think we have to acknowledge that while we have bits and pieces of information from both sides about the Hotel California HFO credits, my belief is that it is unwise and unfair to declare it as an unethical act on anyone’s part since we aren’t privy to all of the facts. In the other known case where the credits are published incorrectly on an official release, which is the recent History of the Eagles DVD, we know that was in error. Should it have happened – absolutely not and I do think the band is ultimately accountable for that unfortunate mistake – but it was, in fact, a mistake rather than a deliberate dishonest act. Again, while I don’t think that absolves the band of culpability for negligence, it is hardly unethical. I am not blindly defending anyone’s actions, but at the same time, I’m not going to accuse anyone of being unethical when I don’t know the whole story. For me, it all boils down to intent. In the HFO case, we don't fully know what all of the reasons were for the change. In the case of the History of the Eagles DVD, it is obvious that there was no purposeful intent to change the credits.
As far as this songbook that Turf mentioned – I think that is a whole ‘nother matter altogether. I don’t believe that was an officially released publication by the band, and, again, we have no knowledge whatsoever to make any kind of judgment as to why the credits are incorrect. I am not a legal expert on copyright law either, but I doubt if the band ultimately bears any legal responsibility for this error as unfortunate as it is.
Speaking for myself, I would feel exactly the same as I stated above if this happened – I would need to know the facts before I felt qualified to pass judgment. However, I can safely say it is very doubtful that I would still be dwelling on it 20 years later.
Hardly an Eagles anomaly, MC. I believe there have been ongoing disputes between Sir Paul and Yoko Ono about the order of songwriting credits on Beatles songs and there have been many other disputes in other bands regarding similar issues.
I would also have to take issue with claims that Felder is the main songwriter of Hotel California. I believe it is very subjective, but I’m one who happens to think the lyrics, melody, and arrangement of the song are, at least, as equally significant as the music. It is obvious that Felder originated the song, and it is my understanding that this is the reason that the band agreed to list him first on the credits.
Re: WTF??
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