Felder's "Heaven and Hell" Discussion Thread

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Another promotional interview:


But you’re not bitter?

The only person bitterness hurts is the person carrying it around. I can’t forget I was given the American Dream.

HARUMPH!!!!! Do you believe this guy?!

Nope!

[guitarboy]

I have not read Felder’s book , but my perspective as a musician is this. Frey and Henley wrote and sang most of the Eagles material. Yes Felder wrote most of the guitar solos and the music for Hotel California, but he isn’t the front person. Henley and Frey are doing most of the up-front work with the band.
The bottom line is: you get paid for what you do and contribute to the overall success of the band. There is no doubt that Felder is an excellent guitarist and he gave the Eagles some excellent riffs. But when push comes to shove he is replaceable as we see now with Steuart Smith taking over his role.( He’s not quite the same, but almost as good).
I conclude that Felder should have swallowed his pride and signed on to continue with the Eagles. He would have made a ton of money touring with them and would still be regarded as an Eagle as apposed to being just part of the Eagles band like Steuart Smith.
Tom.

[Brooke]

Here, here!

And welcome to the Border, gb! Glad you found us!

[sodascouts]

You got it, Tom. I totally agree!

Welcome from me, too!

[TimothyBFan]

Couldn't agree more gb and welcome to the board!

I finally bought my copy of Heaven and Hell, now will I read it? I just don't know if I want to but I'm sure curiosity will eventually win out and I will muddle thru it, cursing and shaking my head all the way!

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Welcome guitarboy. Glad you found us and hope you enjoy yourself here on The Border.

As far as your comments about Felder, I also totally agree with what you said. As I previously stated, I did find parts of his book enjoyable and interesting, but I would have liked more stories and less of his whining and complaining. I just can't understand how Felder can view "the Gods" as being money-hungry and power-hungry without seeing himself in the same light. His whole laundry list of gripes is about the fact that they had more money and power than he did. It seems to me that if he were not the same, it wouldn't have mattered so much to him. Henley and Frey felt they deserved more based on their contributions to the band's legacy. Felder thought he deserved the same as them based on an agreement made in the 70's before there was a legacy. I just find it unrealistic that he seriously believed that a 30 + year contract should be honored as if nothing had changed over the years.

[glenneaglesfan]

Hi Tom, and welcome to the Border! You have put it very succinctly. It was Glenn and Don H's band from the start and their contribution far outweighs Felder's. Many of the Eagles songs that still get regular airplay, even over here in the UK, are from the first two albums and On The Border, to which he only made a minor contribution. Why should he have expected to share all the royalties?

Dreamer, I agree with you on the book. I thought it was quite well written and enjoyed the stuff about his early life and career, but he lapses into self pity regarding his relationships with the band members and his own wife and family and it becomes somewhat tedious and hypocritical.

[samo]

I have a friend who has a copy of the book....debating on whether to borrow it or not....

[Brooke]

I enjoyed reading the book and it was an easy read. It did not make me think more highly of Don Felder though. He came off as poor, poor, pitiful me!

I say if you can get your hands on it, it's worth reading though.

[sodascouts]

GEF linked to this from DFO a while back, but I just noticed it recently:

Q&A with Don Felder - Backbeat Online

It's long, and we get his response to the Rolling Stone article.