Discussion of Eagles Documentary "History of the Eagles"

[TimothyBFan]

All I can say right now is O-M-G!!! My mind needs time to process it. I can barely wait till tomorrow night for Part 2.

[Grey Sadler]

I was just gonna say...all y'all have had about 10 minutes to pick yourselves up off the floor and start speaking coherently again...:partytime:


HOW WAS IT????

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

All I can say right now is O-M-G!!! My mind needs time to process it. I can barely wait till tomorrow night for Part 2.

That's where I'm at. :angel: I loved it and am in awe. It was perfect, and I love the color and all the interactions. :band: I am just swimming in a sea of eagle thoughts

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I am blown away. Seriously. The story, the music, the pictures, all totally awesome. Brilliant to use Wasted Time as the background song that deals with the break-up.

My friend Michele lived in SoCal as all this took place. During the photo shoot scenes for the Eagles album cover, we paused it and she gave me the history of the Joshua Trees and the area, and that her mother lives nearby there. Then during the scenes of the 'gunfight' for Desperado she was sure that was from a western-type town that was near her mother as she was growing up. So it was very interesting hearing her talk about the perspective of 'regular people' who lived there.

There were a few times strong words were said, two very opposing view points, but mostly between Geffen and the whole band and Irving. Geffen still seems to be a little shocked that the guys weren't so grateful to him they'd forgive him anything.

I think I'll turn the TV back on and watch it again!

[sodascouts]

LOVED. IT.

[Grey Sadler]

LOVED. IT.

Details...please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Topkat]

I have to say that the sound quality was excellent. My tv doesn't have surround sound or anything special & the songs just jump right out at you with amazing clarity!!

I'm trying to digest the whole thing, because it wasn't exactly what I was expecting. I enjoyed it, but I don't feel that I really learned anything new that I didn't already know...
One thing I had never seen was that very small footage they show of Tim with Poco....OMG!!!!!! OMG!!!! OMG:love:

[TimothyBFan]

Details...please!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Honestly--just don't even know where to start--it's all jumbled up inside my head right now and I can't even begin to put it in words right now. It looks as if most of us are feeling that way right now.

[zeldabjr]

Absolutely fascinating...to hear their story from their own mouths instead of hearing it second hand...was priceless as a fan...I had tears in my eyes by the end...Tomorrow night 8 PM cannot come fast enough!!!

[Brooke]

OMG!!!!!!! LOVE!

[Witchy Woman]

Totally awesome !! Can't wait for Part 2 !!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

OMG!!!!!!! LOVE!

Nice av, Brooke, I thought of you when that part was on!

[Grey Sadler]

:brickwall:SOMEONE tell me some concrete details!!
The desert photoshoot...Wrong Beach...heck, just tell me about Randy's segments!!!! Pleeeeeeeeeazse?!?!

[AftertheThrill]

The Randy segments were very short. He looks so young in the footage from the 70's and in the current interviews he looks a lot older then the rest of the band. He seems very happy looking back in the current interview.

[TimothyBFan]

Randy was interviewed but not much. They went into detail about how he got to the point that he didn't want to and refused several times to sing TITTL and that at one point told him "Fine, f-you and why don't you just quit then". I had no clue that he had refused that much to sing it.

Went into great detail about Wrong Beach and even played the audio and printed it on the screen about the threats and what was being said between the songs, etc.... During this, in the background, Wasted Time was playing. Very, very dramatic and it about tore me up watching and hearing it.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Bernie seems to think in retrospect that he shouldn't have poured the beer over Glenn's head.

Joe operates a chainsaw pretty well! They showed the clip of Keith Moon putting the Rolls Royce in a swimming pool. He talked about the time he and John Belushi spray painted their jeans to get into restaurant. What was it Glenn said? Joe was a great fit for the band, he brought a lot of new personalities to the band? I can't remember the exact quote.

[TimothyBFan]

I loved when Joe made the comment something like "something very scary was that I met Keith Moon and he liked me." :hilarious:

And Glenn said "we gave Joe a chainsaw for his birthday". :hilarious:

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

I thought Randy looked good considering everything. He also did a great job with being interviewed.
I was also surprised with how open Glenn and Don H were. The whole segment with the VOL song surprised me. I had read Don F book so I knew he was supposed to sing it but even in his book DF didn't go into all the detail Don H and Glenn did. Don F seemed to accept it in DH and GF favor both in the book and the movie. I was surprised that the band decided not to have him sing it and then left Irving to tell him the news while Don was cutting the track. I am not a diehard Felder fan but I think he took that better then I would have. (please no one kill me JMO)
I think that's what I did liked most about the movie is that you didn't have just the pat answers I've read in the interviews. You get to see and hear it out of their young mouths. I felt that everyone interviewed in the band was pretty respectful of each other and looked back on the past in a very accepting and honest way. I think that's what got to me.

[TimothyBFan]

I agree, Rebecca. I LOVED the honesty!!!

OK--- everyone who saw it--- the naked guy by the lake--- I think it was Randy? Am I right?

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Michele and I were talking about that. I told her, for all we know, they were up front and honest with him on things before that and it didn't go well. Or not.

Did I mention Michele showed up here with pink champagne? :grin:

I wish I had HD service, then I'd be able to see it better. Maybe it's not anyone we know (the naked guy). I should mention, I went through it frame by frame. Agonizing process... :lie:

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

I agree, Rebecca. I LOVED the honesty!!!

OK--- everyone who saw it--- the naked guy by the lake--- I think it was Randy? Am I right?

I don't think so cause it looks like the same guy that sitting with the naked girls but i could be wrong, i will bow to a Randy expert.

BTW Some of those early pictures of Randy he really looked good. :woah: I like the BABY-FACE without the facial hair :thumbsup:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Here's a nice review from the Washington Times.

http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/tv-den/2013/feb/15/tv-tonight-history-eagles-part-1-showtime/

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

[QUOTE=VAisForEagleLovers;211798]Michele and I were talking about that. I told her, for all we know, they were up front and honest with him on things before that and it didn't go well. Or not.

That kind of what I assumed in Felder's book that Don H just sang it to see how it'd sound and then they all decided it would be best to have DH sing VOL but then IA, DH, and GF said the new story in movie so I don't know why they'd change the story to that if its not the truth because it doesn't make them look good. :confused:

[WalshFan88]

Speechless. The best thing I've ever watched in my life, and this is one of the best nights in my life.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

And Joe was so great as always, he seems so genuine, level and content with everything in his interviews. Even destroying things. He the sort you just want to hug once he puts the chainsaw down of course :partytime:

[Grey Sadler]

Siiiiigggghhhhhh....
Thanks for the early reviews, gang!! Can't wait to see it!!
I was thinking of ordering two copies (one for my dad)...wonder when pre-order will be available...??

[WalshFan88]

OK--- everyone who saw it--- the naked guy by the lake--- I think it was Randy? Am I right?

Or how about that chick onstage?! :hilarious:

[Tiffanny Twisted]

cant wait for the dvd..

[Freypower]

[quote=VAisForEagleLovers;211798]Michele and I were talking about that. I told her, for all we know, they were up front and honest with him on things before that and it didn't go well. Or not.

That kind of what I assumed in Felder's book that Don H just sang it to see how it'd sound and then they all decided it would be best to have DH sing VOL but then IA, DH, and GF said the new story in movie so I don't know why they'd change the story to that if its not the truth because it doesn't make them look good. :confused:

Felder's version in his book is obviously not the correct version & Felder probably decided to use it so as it would sound less humiliating. He presumably did not run his version past the others. He changed a lot of things to make himself look better.

Thanks for your thoughts but it doesn't sound as if there was much new in it.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

i think it sounds like it was awsome and fabulous:thumbsup:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Thanks for your thoughts but it doesn't sound as if there was much new in it.

From a high level, no there wasn't. Not to those who follow the band like we do. But it was interesting to hear other's perspectives, the nice things Jackson had to say, JD, Seger. It was amusing when JD added his two cents about listening to Jackson write songs, it apparently got on his nerves! It was amazing to see footage of Glenn and Don backing up Linda. I'd read it in a review, but it was good to see.

I didn't know that Doctor My Eyes was a song or the song that Jackson was writing when Glenn and JD lived above him.

[Topkat]

[quote=RebeccaLovesEagles;211801]

Felder's version in his book is obviously not the correct version & Felder probably decided to use it so as it would sound less humiliating. He presumably did not run his version past the others. He changed a lot of things to make himself look better.

Thanks for your thoughts but it doesn't sound as if there was much new in it.

I think when Felder said that he knows Henley's voice is better than pretty much anyone's, he wasn't trying to make himself look better. I think he was just disappointed because he thought he would be singing it.

To have Irving take him out & have Henley do the vocal behind his back, I thought was just kind of sneaky.

[sodascouts]

I didn't know that Doctor My Eyes was a song or the song that Jackson was writing when Glenn and JD lived above him.

In the past, Glenn has said it was "Jamaica Say You Will" that he heard again and again, but JD mentions "Doctor My Eyes" and "The Pretender" specifically - I wonder how many others they heard?

One problem I had with the doc: they would often discuss a certain time period and then show a photo from a different time - like talk about Don's days in Shiloh and then show a photo of him behind a drumkit from 1979, or talk about Joe destroying a hotel room in 1976 while showing footage of a video from 1986 which was parodying that behavior (an uninformed person watching the doc would probably think that was real footage of Joe destroying a hotel).

I understand why they do that kind of thing but I don't like it.

As for that lake footage, were those naked dudes even Eagles at all? I think it might have been stock footage of naked hippies thrown in as "illustrative" of what was going on rather than actual footage of them... rather gratuitous!

For someone like me who is a hardcore and has seen almost all of the footage before, I still found a few new tidbits - for instance, I didn't know that Glenn wrote "such a fine sight to see" In addition to the other lines he wrote of TIE. He was also explicitly acknowledged as being a lyricist on the song "Hotel California." The Long Night at Wrong Beach as it's shown here reflects Felder's take on it as given in his book rather than ones Glenn has given in the past, but overall there seems to be a general consensus on how things broke down (despite omissions about the more personal aspects of their feelings). Joe states in a very open and honest manner that he used humor to mask his insecurities, and that he was intimidated by Glenn and Don. That takes guts to admit. Those are just a few nuggets. There are several others.

However, an objection from some might be that extensive background segments were done on Don and Glenn, but the rest of the guys didn't even get their home state mentioned. Many photos of the band were cropped to just Don and Glenn. Some might say it was "The History of Glenn Frey and Don Henley in the Eagles." Of course, they are the only original members still around!

Randy may look old, but he seems to be in his right mind. That's good.

Bernie's gained quite a bit of weight since 2004 but is as forceful and blunt as ever. Gotta love it!

I do think it was a bit unfair of Glenn to say that Felder didn't like playing benefits because he wanted to keep the money. He plays benefits all the time nowadays. Of course, one could argue that is a recent development and he didn't feel that way in the 70s.

I most enjoyed the rare photos and old footage, which had me squee-ing with delight. I can't wait for tomorrow night!

[zeldabjr]

I just watched it again...loved it more the second time!...there's so much in it...it takes a while to digest it all...will need to watch it some more I think!!!

and...I got teary watching the end again!

[AzEaglesFan]

I checked the Showtime guide and Sunday from 3:00PM to 6:00 pm the
show will be on again. Since it's 3 hours it must be the entire show.

[tequila girl]

Well, Seems like it's a "Thumbs Up" :thumbsup: from all of you........Makes me even more excited for April!! :partytime:
I haven't had time to read all of your thoughts properly - I have to dash out now - but I will when I get back...Thanks everyone! :spin:

[Troubadour]

This is killing me! But I'm so glad to read all of the rave reviews and stunned comments... I'm guessing it was good. ;)

[VAisForEagleLovers]

That brings to mind one problem I had with the doc: they would often discuss a certain time period and then show a photo from a different time - like talk about Don's days in Shiloh and then show a photo of him behind a drumkit from 1979, or talk about Joe destroying a hotel room in 1976 while showing footage of a video from 1986 which was parodying that behavior (an uninformed person watching the doc would probably think that was real footage of Joe destroying a hotel).

I understand why they do that kind of thing but I don't like it.

Soda, I was thinking this very thing while trying to get to sleep last night. It's probably a common thing to do in documentaries like this, but these guys had so much 'real' footage, you tend to assume that what you're seeing is from the time period discussed.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Whatever his real or perceived crimes, Frey at least has the good sense to say at one point, “I sang less and less. It was intentional, we had Don Henley.”

That last article states that Felder sang the lead vocal on Victim Of Love & it was wiped. Oops. I suppose yet again this goes back to Henley's superior vocal skills.

The quote here from an earlier review, when Glenn said this is was said during the VOL segment. Felder said about Don's better vocals, then Don said that it didn't make any sense for Felder to sing it, that having Felder demand to sing it would be like Don demanding to play lead guitar on HC. Then Glenn followed with this quote.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

The quote here from an earlier review, when Glenn said this is was said during the VOL segment. Felder said about Don's better vocals, then Don said that it didn't make any sense for Felder to sing it, that having Felder demand to sing it would be like Don demanding to play lead guitar on HC. Then Glenn followed with this quote.

I thought the above quote was hilarious. I was in a serious state of mind listening and when DH said that i burst just out laughing. :rofl:
I've heard DF sing Hotel California and VOL and he sounded good but picturing DH with a double neck guitar would be cool to see. :woah:

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

For someone like me who is a hardcore and has seen almost all of the footage before, I still found a few new tidbits - for instance, I didn't know that Glenn wrote "such a fine sight to see" In addition to the other lines he wrote of TIE. He was also explicitly acknowledged as being a lyricist on the song "Hotel California." The Long Night at Wrong Beach as it's shown here reflects Felder's take on it as given in his book rather than ones Glenn has given in the past, but overall there seems to be an overall consensus on how things broke down (despite omissions about the more personal aspects of their feelings). Joe states in a very open and honest manner that he used humor to mask his insecurities, and that he was intimidated by Glenn and Don. That takes guts to admit. Those are just a few nuggets. There are several others.

Joe's part was moving. I felt for him. It had to be hard dealing with those feelings. :bow:

[Topkat]

Quote from Sodascouts;

However, an objection from some might be that extensive background segments were done on Don and Glenn, but the rest of the guys didn't even get their home state mentioned. Many photos of the band were cropped to just Don and Glenn. Some might say it was "The History of Glenn Frey and Don Henley in the Eagles." Of course, they are the only original members still around!

Randy may look old, but he seems to be in his right mind. That's good.

Bernie's gained quite a bit of weight since 2004 but is as forceful and blunt as ever. Gotta love it!

I do think it was a bit unfair of Glenn to say that Felder didn't like playing benefits because he wanted to keep the money. He plays benefits all the time nowadays. Of course, one could argue that is a recent development and he didn't feel that way in the 70s.

I most enjoyed the rare photos and old footage, which had me squee-ing with delight. I can't wait for tomorrow night!
__________________


I did feel that this is the Glenn & Don story because the others are barely mentioned as far as their musical backgrounds or anything about their childhoods.

After watching the footage of the whole incident at the Benefit show for the Senator....to be fair, Felder said that he was not into politics, didn't even know who this Senator was, so maybe he wasn't really into supporting him.
Glenn says that Cranston was behind issues that "we" supported, but it didn't seem that Felder really cared to become political.
My feeling about it is that Glenn totally overreacted to Felder's comment ,"I guess" I can't believe he could get so mad over a comment like that & to spill that anger onto the stage was outrageous! That is my personal opinion of it. I don't expect any Glenn fans to agree with me, but although Felder's little comment wasn't cool, I didn't think it warranted that kind of reaction.

[AftertheThrill]

I think Felder's comment was just the straw that broke the camel's back. Some big blowup was going to happen and this is what caused the blowup. I think by this point in the band, someone could have breathed wrong and would have caused a blowup.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

My feeling about it is that Glenn totally overreacted to Felder's comment ,"I guess" I can't believe he could get so mad over a comment like that & to spill that anger onto the stage was outrageous! That is my personal opinion of it. I don't expect any Glenn fans to agree with me, but although Felder's little comment wasn't cool, I didn't think it warranted that kind of reaction.

I think it would be a real slap in the face to have someone not just say that, but use the facial expression that went with it, said in front of someone you respect. I'm sure most of Glenn's reaction had to do with a slow build-up of everything that had gone before it, and that was the final straw. However, Glenn did preface the entire segment by saying that in the end, cocaine brought out the worst in all of them. Did he overreact? I think so. Was it outrageous? I've been told that cocaine brings out the 'outrageous' in people. It was outrageous for Felder to say what he said as well. It wasn't a 'little comment' given the situation, it was a real slap in the face to a man and his wife who hadn't seen it coming. Put it with everything that had been brewing for years between Felder and Glenn and it makes for a very volatile situation. Fortunately, both of them have grown up since then and have realized that cocaine isn't a good influence and losing one's temper doesn't ever solve anything.

[sodascouts]

It was an overreaction if taken in isolation, but as Glenn and others here said, it was the straw that broke the camel's back. In other words, it was one more little thing that, when added to all the other little things, became too much.

By the way, we don't get to hear the whole fight or anything on the doc. We don't get to hear the famous "three songs until I kick your ass." Instead we have rather less creative variants: "I'm going to kill you" and "I've been paying your f---ing salary for seven years, f---head!" I was hoping for better, lol.

Another thing I noticed about the doc: Glenn and Don are pretty much represented as a united front throughout. There is one line where Don says they were starting to have differences during TLR and Felder also brings it up, but that's never elaborated on or explained. Either their differences were not very significant or they were deliberately downplayed.

How cool was seeing footage of the Eagles doing "Get You in the Mood" and "Keep on Tryin'" in 1971?! And finally, some decent quality live footage from TLR era, even if it was very brief.

[Topkat]

I think it would be a real slap in the face to have someone not just say that, but use the facial expression that went with it, said in front of someone you respect. I'm sure most of Glenn's reaction had to do with a slow build-up of everything that had gone before it, and that was the final straw. However, Glenn did preface the entire segment by saying that in the end, cocaine brought out the worst in all of them. Did he overreact? I think so. Was it outrageous? I've been told that cocaine brings out the 'outrageous' in people. It was outrageous for Felder to say what he said as well. It wasn't a 'little comment' given the situation, it was a real slap in the face to a man and his wife who hadn't seen it coming. Put it with everything that had been brewing for years between Felder and Glenn and it makes for a very volatile situation. Fortunately, both of them have grown up since then and have realized that cocaine isn't a good influence and losing one's temper doesn't ever solve anything.

It seemed that Felder made the comment when he was turning away from him, not straight to his face, but Glenn heard it & reacted. I guess it was a combination of the cocaine & the bad feelings between them that had been building up, but to take it to the stage to me was even worse than the comment itself...In any case, I'm glad the argument didn't come to an actual fight. Even though Don smashed his guitar... he bolted to his limo rather than have a confrontation with Glenn, which I guess was the best choice at the time.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

It seemed that Felder made the comment when he was turning away from him, not straight to his face, but Glenn heard it & reacted. I guess it was a combination of the cocaine & the bad feelings between them that had been building up, but to take it to the stage to me was even worse than the comment itself...In any case, I'm glad the argument didn't come to an actual fight. Even though Don smashed his guitar... he bolted to his limo rather than have a confrontation with Glenn, which I guess was the best choice at the time.

If the footage was accurate, Cranstan was closer to Felder than Glenn? Oh my...I might have to watch it AGAIN and make sure! I'm thinking if Glenn heard it, then so did Cranstan and his wife.

I'm told we females think about this differently than guys do, but I agree that Felder did the right thing by bolting to his limo and avoiding a fight. Making the evening news would have been a bad thing all around. Whatever the reason, I'm eternally glad the 'Lindsay Lohan' moment was averted.

I have to say, I was disappointed that Glenn added that the guitar Felder smashed was his cheapest guitar, and the derisive tone he used. Like it would make more sense to smash an expensive or well-loved guitar? Maybe only a guy can think like that? Whatever his reasoning, it would have been best left unsaid IMO.

I did notice that as the story got to where things began to fall apart, they used After The Thrill Is Gone as the background music.

[sodascouts]

Cranston and his wife did indeed hear it, according to the doc.

[TimothyBFan]

However, an objection from some might be that extensive background segments were done on Don and Glenn, but the rest of the guys didn't even get their home state mentioned. Many photos of the band were cropped to just Don and Glenn. Some might say it was "The History of Glenn Frey and Don Henley in the Eagles." Of course, they are the only original members still around!


I don't know why but I guess that's kind of how I figured it would be. I guess because they were the reason we have an Eagles and without them and their story of how they got there, we wouldn't have been sitting there last night in euphoria watching it. I was actually just fine with the way they handled that.



I have to say, I was disappointed that Glenn added that the guitar Felder smashed was his cheapest guitar, and the derisive tone he used. Like it would make more sense to smash an expensive or well-loved guitar? Maybe only a guy can think like that? Whatever his reasoning, it would have been best left unsaid IMO.

Yeah, that really bothered me also. I thought it sounded quite petty.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Since seeing Glenn at the songwriter's event at NYU, and listening to some of his interviews, particularly with Art of the Song, where he talks so much about songwriting, I've realized that people who write songs, at least good ones, have a different idea about what songwriting entails. He talked a lot about chord progressions in his interviews and I'll be honest, it was like he was speaking Greek. A friend of mine, who is a musician, told me he feels the same way when I start my 'techno babble.'

In the movie last night, regarding VOL and wondering why Felder had thought he should sing it, Don mentioned that Felder didn't bring them the complete song. He said there were no lyrics or even a melody, just chord progressions. I assume that whatever a chord progression is, it's like a foundation for a house? The lyrics and melody are the structure and siding? If this is all true, I have to wonder why Felder has the prime songwriting credit. I guess this chord progression-thing is pretty important, and I feel like an uninformed bozo that I can't figure this out. I love music and always have, but until recently have never given any thought to how a song comes together, and so how anyone could hand something over that has no melody or lyrics and still be given song-writing credit, let alone primary, baffles me to no end. Does anybody have any insight or ideas on where I could get enough of an education on this to at least understand what the heck Don was talking about?

[TimothyBFan]

Along that line also, I found it interesting when Glenn was talking about the tapes that Don F use to give them all the time with nothing but guitar riffs. He sounded almost disgusted by it but obviously they did listen to them all because that's how HC came about.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Yes, and by all accounts, Joe basically wrote his parts of HC. In the documentary Felder said that Joe said, "I think we need to have something like this..." The 'this' is a major part of the song, in my opinion, and yet Joe doesn't have song-writing credit. It's all very confusing to those of us who just really like a song without needing to break it down to pieces and analyze it before knowing we like it.

[AftertheThrill]

I have to say, I was disappointed that Glenn added that the guitar Felder smashed was his cheapest guitar, and the derisive tone he used. Like it would make more sense to smash an expensive or well-loved guitar? Maybe only a guy can think like that? Whatever his reasoning, it would have been best left unsaid IMO.

From Felder's book:

"Typical of you to break your cheapest f***ing guitar," Glenn told me"

I guess it was a big point in the story. I do admit that the tone in Glenn and Don's voices when discussing Felder is a little surprising. I don't think either party is innocent in the Felder Vs Frey/Henley problems but to actually hear it in their voices is amazing.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Since seeing Glenn at the songwriter's event at NYU, and listening to some of his interviews, particularly with Art of the Song, where he talks so much about songwriting, I've realized that people who write songs, at least good ones, have a different idea about what songwriting entails. He talked a lot about chord progressions in his interviews and I'll be honest, it was like he was speaking Greek. A friend of mine, who is a musician, told me he feels the same way when I start my 'techno babble.'

In the movie last night, regarding VOL and wondering why Felder had thought he should sing it, Don mentioned that Felder didn't bring them the complete song. He said there were no lyrics or even a melody, just chord progressions. I assume that whatever a chord progression is, it's like a foundation for a house? The lyrics and melody are the structure and siding? If this is all true, I have to wonder why Felder has the prime songwriting credit. I guess this chord progression-thing is pretty important, and I feel like an uninformed bozo that I can't figure this out. I love music and always have, but until recently have never given any thought to how a song comes together, and so how anyone could hand something over that has no melody or lyrics and still be given song-writing credit, let alone primary, baffles me to no end. Does anybody have any insight or ideas on where I could get enough of an education on this to at least understand what the heck Don was talking about?



Usually the primary song writer is to the person who starts the song/music whether it is music or lyrics because no matter how much other people add to it via lyrics or extra riffs, it was that 1st part that started the collaboration and got the muse going. Glen and Don love painting lyrics on musical canvas. When they'd hear the right piece of music sometimes the lyrics would just come whether it was music by DF (HC or VOL) or Joe Walsh (LITFL).

Now as to whether DF should have expected to sing it or not it is debatable. The one thing the doc didn't touch one is that DF was made a full member and partner in the band by Glenn Frey and the other members agreed. He wasn't just brought in to be a sideman so by that right if everyone else is given a chance to sing and originally everyone had at least on lead on an album, it might not have been that outlandish for him to think that VOL would be his. The band did let him try to sing it so if they were really dead against why have even given him that chance and he had sung Visions on OOTN.

That's the one thing about the whole Don Felder saga I never really understood. Why did DH and GL make him a full member/partner if they just wanted a guitarist? Don F had been being a side man for a while and probably would have joined them as just a member if they had asked like (JW and TS) did. It seems to me if you make someone a partner you'd understand them wanting to be a part of the decisions. I know I would but then again all of this is just my own opinion and questions.

[Topkat]

I was also surprised at how Felder became an Eagle. He said he did a session with them for about 3 hours & the next day Glenn called him & invited him to join the band. Apparently, they must have been quite impressed with his guitar playing to ask him to join the band that soon. He had known Bernie, but it seems like he had just met the rest of the band. It all happened very fast & it seems that he & Glenn never got along on a personal level.

As for the songwriting, the chord progression is what Felder did best, & that was his strength. Each of them had different strengths in music & putting them together is what made the songs so great.
You can take a music theory class like Don did, but apparently he flunked it in college, so go figure??? I do think there is a formula to writing a great song, but many times it just "happens". I do think that the songwriting does originate from the music, but what do I know?:roll:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

As for the songwriting, the chord progression is what Felder did best, & that was his strength.

Maybe because I don't play guitar I find I'm lost on what this strength is all about. Glenn talks in other interviews about the songs he admires because of great chord progressions and just scratch my head. Hearing him talk about such things clued me in that perhaps the first verse of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah was about chord progressions.

I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this
The fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing Hallelujah

I always thought the man was just demented, but perhaps this makes sense to some people after all. I vaguely recall discussing 'chords' in my high school music class, but to someone who just sat at a piano and played music with a melody it never made any sense to me. Obviously, it still doesn't.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Wow - I don't know where to start. My expections were exceeded by the film. I got what I was expecting and more. Now, that's not to say that it was perfect. As some of you mentioned - it is definitely dominated by Glenn and Don H., some of the footage doesn't match the time period being discussed, there wasn't a lot in there that I didn't already know, etc., but I was not really surprised by any of this. I still loved it and relished the new tidbits that I didn't know or had never seen.

As far as Felder, he was brought into the band as an equal member, the same as Randy and Bernie. As a matter of fact, it was Glenn that insisted on it. Back in the day, they were young and naive and believed they could all be equals. However, within a few short years, it became obvious that equality in the band was not practical or possible. They tried to rectify that when they regrouped in '94 by restructuring Felder's contract, but he, obviously, wasn't happy with that either. It seems to me that Felder was the one band member that just could never accept that Frey and Henley were the main players in the group, for better or worse.

As far as the songwriting process - I've heard both Frey and Henley (and other songwriters too) say many times that the songs come all kinds of ways - sometimes the words come first, sometimes it's the music, sometimes it's the melody. There doesn't seem to be a formula for writing a great song.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

From Felder's book:

"Typical of you to break your cheapest f***ing guitar," Glenn told me"

I guess it was a big point in the story. I do admit that the tone in Glenn and Don's voices when discussing Felder is a little surprising. I don't think either party is innocent in the Felder Vs Frey/Henley problems but to actually hear it in their voices is amazing.

The voice tones actually helped add to the honest feeling of the documentary. 8) It was nice not to hear the usual restraint. Lol It was interesting to hear DH who is usually so articulate and proper talking as a younger man. The swearing and the comments made me giggle. :rofl:

I just loved this documentary tonight can not come soon enough :iloveyou:

LOL BTW- I finally hit my 100th post. :blueblob: I am finally a Desperado, I can never leave this grouping. I love being a Desperado.

[Topkat]

Quote from I've Always Been a Dreamer

As far as Felder, he was brought into the band as an equal member, the same as Randy and Bernie. As a matter of fact, it was Glenn that insisted on it. Back in the day, they were young and naive and believed they could all be equals. However, within a few short years, it became obvious that equality in the band was not practical or possible. They tried to rectify that when they regrouped in '94 by restructuring Felder's contract, but he, obviously, wasn't happy with that either. It seems to me that Felder was the one band member that just could never accept that Frey and Henley were the main players in the group, for better or worse.


I'm not so sure about that. I mean these are the reasons that both Bernie & Randy quit the band. The equal partner thing never really worked in reality. Don H & Glenn pretty much took over control of the band leaving the others with little input. I don't think Felder was the only one who couldn't accept that Don & Glenn were the main players. Bernie felt his input was not considered when the band began changing direction, & Randy, well he was feeling the pressure of singing lead on TITTL & he & Glenn were at odds much of the time. I do think that Glenn kind of pushed him out. That is the feeling I got from reading some of the books on them.

I mean if a partnership is "equal" & then it turns out to be not so equal, what can you expect? I mean from what I read, Henley & Frey also battled each other for control of the band. (This part of the story has been conveniently left out of the story, but there were times they were not speaking to each other)
I do believe that some of this is what I call "selective memory". This is pretty much all Don & Glenn's story.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Quote from I've Always Been a Dreamer
Quote:
As far as Felder, he was brought into the band as an equal member, the same as Randy and Bernie. As a matter of fact, it was Glenn that insisted on it. Back in the day, they were young and naive and believed they could all be equals. However, within a few short years, it became obvious that equality in the band was not practical or possible. They tried to rectify that when they regrouped in '94 by restructuring Felder's contract, but he, obviously, wasn't happy with that either. It seems to me that Felder was the one band member that just could never accept that Frey and Henley were the main players in the group, for better or worse.


Quote from I've Always Been a Dreamer


I'm not so sure about that. I mean these are the reasons that both Bernie & Randy quit the band. The equal partner thing never really worked in reality. Don H & Glenn pretty much took over control of the band leaving the others with little input. I don't think Felder was the only one who couldn't accept that Don & Glenn were the main players. Bernie felt his input was not considered when the band began changing direction, & Randy, well he was feeling the pressure of singing lead on TITTL & he & Glenn were at odds much of the time. I do think that Glenn kind of pushed him out. That is the feeling I got from reading some of the books on them.

I mean if a partnership is "equal" & then it turns out to be not so equal, what can you expect? I mean from what I read, Henley & Frey also battled each other for control of the band. (This part of the story has been conveniently left out of the story, but there were times they were not speaking to each other)
I do believe that some of this is what I call "selective memory". This is pretty much all Don & Glenn's story.

I kind of got the same feeling. They started to regret the whole equal idea and then pressure would build until a member fell out. I guess the only problem was that although Felder complained he never quit.


Is anyone else looking forward to seeing Joe's transformation tonight? He was so articulate last night and has come such a long way. I'm pretty sure i'm going to need Kleenex tonight. :weep:

[timfan]

After all these tidbits for those of us who can't view it, I'm just hoping we get an actual release date PRONTO!! :p :grooving:

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I agree that this is primarily Don H. & Glenn's story and some of it could very well be selective memory. However, you can't tell the whole 40 year-old story in a three hour documentary, and I would love to know how the documentarians decided what to leave on the editing room floor. (I hope they interview them on the DVD as a bonus feature, but I digress). I also agree that Randy and Bernie left because they weren't happy with the turn of things in the band. However, the point that I was trying to make (although not very effectively) is that they did, in fact, recognize when it was time for them to leave, whereas, Felder just continued to remain and cause conflict until he was forced out. To me, it's the matter of degree between being 'pushed' out vs. being 'forced' out. I think that Henley and Frey did try to involve the other band members, but, ultimately, decisions were made on what they felt was best for the band, not any one particular individual. All of them had to 'take one for the team' at times.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I do believe that some of this is what I call "selective memory". This is pretty much all Don & Glenn's story.

I suppose it could be called 'selective memory' but even back in the early 80's when doing interviews they played down the conflict between them. I think it's that they got past it and resolved it, and it's not a big deal to either of them and not what springs to mind when either of them think of the past. I prefer to call it 'healing'.

[Topkat]

Well, from what we are hearing...tonight is going to be a lot about Joe! I did get a kick out of him in his heyday, but yes, he was pretty messed up.
Luckily they all cleaned up their act. I don't think the drug thing was emphasized too much in part 1, but I guess it got progressively worse especially for Joe.
I'm just wondering if we are going to be seeing much of TIMOTHY??? So far, not much, but that was to be expected in part 1. I was just thrilled to see that little Poco clip of him singing "Here We Go Again" in that leather fringed jacket. I don't recall him ever wearing anything like that! It was sooo cute!:inlove:

[Topkat]

One question: :steviesmack:Do we know if Stevie has been interviewed for this??? So far, no mention of her. She did date both Don and Joe, so I was thinking maybe she may have been included in this??

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I've heard there is very little reference to personal lives, spouses, etc, from the reviews.

[Grey Sadler]

After all these tidbits for those of us who can't view it, I'm just hoping we get an actual release date PRONTO!! :p :grooving:
+1
Still waiting on some more juicy tidbits from last night (and tonight) too!! :p

[Topkat]

I've heard there is very little reference to personal lives, spouses, etc, from the reviews.

Yes, I am a little disappointed that pretty much nothing is mentioned about their personal lives. I guess they like to keep it that way! I guess it would get too long & complicated if they got into it, but it would have been nice to get a little more info on that!
This is about the band.... but if they are getting into Joe's rehab, well that's pretty personal.

[Witchy Woman]

Well, as we all know there are 3 sides to every story - yours, mine, and the truth. Anything we say is pure conjecture, as I'm sure there is embellishment and exaggeration on all sides. None of us will ever know the full truth, and honestly, it doesn't really matter. It takes a lot of courage to admit your shortcomings and own up to being wrong, especially in front of millions of people. I enjoyed the documentary immensely and I'm excited for part 2 tonight.

[Topkat]

I am also looking forward to tonight. As for Joe's transformation, I'm glad it all turned out well, but I'm not sure how much I want to hear about him hitting rock bottom....I hate to think about that part of it. I'm just so happy to see how great he is these days!

[TimothyBFan]

Well, as we all know there are 3 sides to every story - yours, mine, and the truth. Anything we say is pure conjecture, as I'm sure there is embellishment and exaggeration on all sides. None of us will ever know the full truth, and honestly, it doesn't really matter. It takes a lot of courage to admit your shortcomings and own up to being wrong, especially in front of millions of people. I enjoyed the documentary immensely and I'm excited for part 2 tonight.

Very good point- and add to that that it's been years so memories fade or as happens at times, you "embellish" a story enough, you start to believe it as truth also.

My question I've often thought about & was not answered last night & probably not tonight is if things were that bad with Felder, why when they reunited was he a part once again?

I really need to pull out Heaven & Hell & read it in hopes that it will answer many of my questions. But I've never been sure how accurate it is.

[zeldabjr]

every time I saw one of those jackets with the E on it...I was thinking 'I wonder if those are still around?...wouldn't it be awesome to have one of those?

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Well said, WW.

Willie - I don't think you'll get your answer to your question in Felder's book. IIRC, I think he had made it clear to Irvin that he definitely wanted in if there was ever a reunion, but didn't go into much detail about him being invited back. I do recall in some HFO interviews that Glenn and/or Don H. stated that they felt the reunion would be more legitimate if all the former members returned. I guess they thought that enough time, maturing, and sobriety had taken place during the break that everyone deserved a second chance and would be able to get along much better. That is why Joe's return was contingent on his sobriety. I know that the reason that Glenn backed out of the reunion plans in 1990 is because he didn't think they were all in the 'right' place at the time.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Yes, I am a little disappointed that pretty much nothing is mentioned about their personal lives. I guess they like to keep it that way! I guess it would get too long & complicated if they got into it, but it would have been nice to get a little more info on that!
This is about the band.... but if they are getting into Joe's rehab, well that's pretty personal.

The documentary is "the story of the band"...personal lives (wives etc ) really dont have anything to do with it. They GF and DH deceided to "tell the story about the band"
As far as Joe goes,,,it is my understanding that the band wanted him back but he had to clean up his act.....This i have seen quoted in many interviews,,,,I think JW's biggest thing was VODKA.
again jmo:grooving:

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Well, as we all know there are 3 sides to every story - yours, mine, and the truth. Anything we say is pure conjecture, as I'm sure there is embellishment and exaggeration on all sides. None of us will ever know the full truth, and honestly, it doesn't really matter. It takes a lot of courage to admit your shortcomings and own up to being wrong, especially in front of millions of people. I enjoyed the documentary immensely and I'm excited for part 2 tonight.
yes ww , very well said...:cheers:

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Well said, WW.

Willie - I don't think you'll get your answer to your question in Felder's book. IIRC, I think he had made it clear to Irvin that he definitely wanted in if there was ever a reunion, but didn't go into much detail about him being invited back. I do recall in some HFO interviews that Glenn and/or Don H. stated that they felt the reunion would be more legitimate if all the former members returned. I guess they thought that enough time, maturing, and sobriety had taken place during the break that everyone deserved a second chance and would be able to get along much better. That is why Joe's return was contingent on his sobriety. I know that the reason that Glenn backed out of the reunion plans in 1990 is because he didn't think they were all in the 'right' place at the time.
dreamer , ou make very good points too,,,and really i think we all see and intrerpert things differently.

[zeldabjr]

my sister asked me what my favorite part of it was...couldn't even answer her...loved every minute of it...I'll never hear Life in the Fast Lane again without thinking of Glenn and how he got the title!...I knew there were drugs but I guess I didn't realize how much!!

[sodascouts]

I'll add more comments later but - there was a bit where Glenn was singing softly while playing guitar. I couldn't quite make out the words. Was anyone else able to? If so, was he singing a song by someone else or did we get to hear a bit of an Eagles outtake?

[zeldabjr]

I'll add more comments later but - there was a bit where Glenn was singing softly while playing guitar. I couldn't quite make out the words. Was anyone else able to? If so, was he singing a song by someone else or did we get to hear a bit of an Eagles outtake?

oh I don't remember that...I'll have to watch again!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I'll add more comments later but - there was a bit where Glenn was singing softly while playing guitar. I couldn't quite make out the words. Was anyone else able to? If so, was he singing a song by someone else or did we get to hear a bit of an Eagles outtake?

Michele's husband Mike decided he wants to see Part 1 before Part 2, so they are coming over in a few minutes and we'll watch it again. I'll keep an eye out for it. Or ear, as the case may be.

[sodascouts]

It was very brief; the clip looked to be from the mid-70s. He had his eyes closed while he sang and was sitting down, strumming the guitar. I can't remember where in the doc they showed it.

[AftertheThrill]

Maybe I'll go watch it with the closed captioning on.

Just watched it with CC on

"You won't be with me someday" is the lyric you can hear. Plus something "Smile".

It's during the Linda segment.

[sodascouts]

Since seeing Glenn at the songwriter's event at NYU, and listening to some of his interviews, particularly with Art of the Song, where he talks so much about songwriting, I've realized that people who write songs, at least good ones, have a different idea about what songwriting entails. He talked a lot about chord progressions in his interviews and I'll be honest, it was like he was speaking Greek. A friend of mine, who is a musician, told me he feels the same way when I start my 'techno babble.'

In the movie last night, regarding VOL and wondering why Felder had thought he should sing it, Don mentioned that Felder didn't bring them the complete song. He said there were no lyrics or even a melody, just chord progressions. I assume that whatever a chord progression is, it's like a foundation for a house? The lyrics and melody are the structure and siding? If this is all true, I have to wonder why Felder has the prime songwriting credit. I guess this chord progression-thing is pretty important, and I feel like an uninformed bozo that I can't figure this out. I love music and always have, but until recently have never given any thought to how a song comes together, and so how anyone icould hand something over that has no melody or lyrics and still be given song-writing credit, let alone primary, baffles me to no end. Does anybody have any insight or ideas on where I could get enough of an education on this to at least understand what the heck Don was talking about?

The primary songwriter is usually the one who has contributed the most or, all other things being equal, the initiator.

Many people equate the word "melody" with the whole tune. However, when Henley is speaking of the melody, he's speaking of what the lead singer is doing. So, my understanding of this is that Felder provided the backing instrumentation which gave the guys something to play around with to come up with the rest to layer on top of it.

It was certainly not unreasonable for Felder to expect to have one lead per album. That was always what had happened prior to HC, including on OOTN. Everyone else got a lead on HC. I know Bernie, Glenn, Don H and Randy at the beginning established each would get at least one lead per album and since Felder was brought in as an equal, I imagine he had the idea he would be treated as such in every way.

Plus, while I think Felder's voice is rather generic, he is probably a better singer than Henley is a guitar player. Therefore, I think Henley's analogy was flawed, although it made me laugh. Truth be told, fairness aside, I'd still rather hear Henley sing it.

We've heard Don H snark on Felder before, but Glenn has kept quiet except for an even toned statement in an interview with his old friend Wuhl. Therefore, hearing the contempt for Felder reflected in a voice that is usually so pleasant was jarring if not unexpected. I daresay we will get more of that tonight!

[sodascouts]

I suppose it could be called 'selective memory' but even back in the early 80's when doing interviews they played down the conflict between them. I think it's that they got past it and resolved it, and it's not a big deal to either of them and not what springs to mind when either of them think of the past. I prefer to call it 'healing'.

That's nice, but if we were going to get a documentary dealing with the demise of the band, such topics would ideally be explored even though they are now resolved.

Rebecca - congrats on being a Desperado!!!

[sodascouts]

Sorry for the multiple posts - it's just there's so much to address and I'm on an iPad so I can't multi quote in a single post.


My question I've often thought about & was not answered last night & probably not tonight is if things were that bad with Felder, why when they reunited was he a part once again?



Maybe we'll find out the answer tonight during Part 2!

[sodascouts]

Maybe I'll go watch it with the closed captioning on.

Just watched it with CC on

"You won't be with me someday" is the lyric you can hear. Plus something "Smile".

It's during the Linda segment.

Thanks!

I just googled that phrase and the word "lyrics" with no results. I bet that was the beginnings of a song that never made it to an album. Cool! Wish we could have heard more!

[AftertheThrill]

I just noticed during one of the 70's interviews with Glenn and Don. Don was reading the yellow pages.

That amuses me for some reason.

[sodascouts]

As does the fact that Glenn had Rice Crispies for breakfast. I love little details like that!

[Topkat]

Very good point- and add to that that it's been years so memories fade or as happens at times, you "embellish" a story enough, you start to believe it as truth also.

My question I've often thought about & was not answered last night & probably not tonight is if things were that bad with Felder, why when they reunited was he a part once again?

I really need to pull out Heaven & Hell & read it in hopes that it will answer many of my questions. But I've never been sure how accurate it is.

Heaven & Hell is Felder's side of the story, so when the band reunited When Hell Froze Over, it didn't really get into what Glenn & Don were feeling about having Felder back with them. They actually did seem to get along better when they reunited, as they were all older & smarter. When the band broke up in 1980, my impression was that they were all burnt out & sick of each other.
I think the Felder incident was just the straw that broke the camels back.

I do think Heaven & Hell was a very good read. It did give me a lot more information about Don Felder, who I really knew very little about before reading it. As for it's accuracy? Well, it's accurate from Felders point of view. I guess Glenn & Don H would have a different take on it, but it is written by him, so to that extent it is accurate. I have to admit that I did have different feelings about him after reading it.

[Topkat]

every time I saw one of those jackets with the E on it...I was thinking 'I wonder if those are still around?...wouldn't it be awesome to have one of those?

Yes, I want one, & it's my initial too!
You know that picture of them wearing those jackets, the one TBF has as her siggy, well seems like Don Felder is cut from the photo because they showed the full picture in the show & he was on the far left...

On a funny note, when the guys were playing baseball, & Glenn said it gets out his frustration, & he said, he wasn't getting LAID??? OMG! I thought I was gonna crack up when he said that....He's not getting laid? WHHHHA...I thought they were getting it every night, Ugh, Guess NOT!

[sodascouts]

I think he was just kidding.... But it sure made me laugh!

[TimothyBFan]

Talking about funny parts- the part with Joe & the tin-foil on his head had me & hubby rolling. Especially when Glenn (or was it Don) seriously turned to him & asked "how do you relax, Joe?".:rofl: I actually woke up thinking about that part this morning.

Meant to ask-how did Brooke's hubby take watching the doc with two obsessed girlie fans?

[Glennsallnighter]

Well I've just read 100 posts amd the whole doc sounds incredibly interesting and fun. I'm really looking forward to getting and seeing it! Although I guess from some of the comments that have been aired that Laura will be too young for it!!

Can't wait for the release!

Enjoy part 2 all of you who can get it!

[Tiffanny Twisted]

well i guess rereading heaven and hell is on my list of things to do now too . I am now re reading To the limit and am finding it very intresting as well.
gosh i hope they release this on dvd soon.
at the rate that they move I will be lucky to get it for moms day or bday .lol:grooving:

[zeldabjr]

one week from tonight I'll be at Niagara Fallsview Casino to see Felder...It'll be strange seeing him live after watching him in this film...so curious as to what he will sound like...I know he can play, but as in the movie...can he sing?

[sodascouts]

Talking about funny parts- the part with Joe & the tin-foil on his head had me & hubby rolling. Especially when Glenn (or was it Don) seriously turned to him & asked "how do you relax, Joe?".:rofl: I actually woke up thinking about that part this morning.

Meant to ask-how did Brooke's hubby take watching the doc with two obsessed girlie fans?

Oh yes, that part made me laugh! Glenn said something like "It's hard to keep from going crazy. How do you stay sane, Joe?" And as the camera swings to show him wrapped in tinfoil, he starts twitching as well. It was a regular comedy routine!

As for Brooke's hubby - he likes the Eagles and he tolerated our squee-ing, but let's just say he went to bed early. lol

[Freypower]

If the footage was accurate, Cranstan was closer to Felder than Glenn? Oh my...I might have to watch it AGAIN and make sure! I'm thinking if Glenn heard it, then so did Cranstan and his wife.

I'm told we females think about this differently than guys do, but I agree that Felder did the right thing by bolting to his limo and avoiding a fight. Making the evening news would have been a bad thing all around. Whatever the reason, I'm eternally glad the 'Lindsay Lohan' moment was averted.

I have to say, I was disappointed that Glenn added that the guitar Felder smashed was his cheapest guitar, and the derisive tone he used. Like it would make more sense to smash an expensive or well-loved guitar? Maybe only a guy can think like that? Whatever his reasoning, it would have been best left unsaid IMO.

I did notice that as the story got to where things began to fall apart, they used After The Thrill Is Gone as the background music.

Given that Felder quotes Glenn as saying those words, I can hardly be surprised or disappointed by it. He was saying that he thought Felder was 'cheap' and that it didn't surprise him that Felder would not smash an expensive guitar.

[Grey Sadler]

Oh yes, that part made me laugh! Glenn said something like "It's hard to keep from going crazy. How do you stay sane, Joe?" And as the camera swings to show him wrapped in tinfoil, he starts twitching as well. It was a regular comedy routine!

ROTFLMAO!!!!! :lol:
I have to see this video...soon!!

[Freypower]

one week from tonight I'll be at Niagara Fallsview Casino to see Felder...It'll be strange seeing him live after watching him in this film...so curious as to what he will sound like...I know he can play, but as in the movie...can he sing?

Perhaps you should listen to his Road To Forever album. Surely you have heard Visions?

The answer is that in my opinion he does not have an effective singing voice. He can sing in tune, but he cannot 'sell' the song. Perhaps he is better singing live, where you can see what he is doing.

[Freypower]

Heaven & Hell is Felder's side of the story, so when the band reunited When Hell Froze Over, it didn't really get into what Glenn & Don were feeling about having Felder back with them. They actually did seem to get along better when they reunited, as they were all older & smarter. When the band broke up in 1980, my impression was that they were all burnt out & sick of each other.
I think the Felder incident was just the straw that broke the camels back.

I do think Heaven & Hell was a very good read. It did give me a lot more information about Don Felder, who I really knew very little about before reading it. As for it's accuracy? Well, it's accurate from Felders point of view. I guess Glenn & Don H would have a different take on it, but it is written by him, so to that extent it is accurate. I have to admit that I did have different feelings about him after reading it.

Except that we now know that at least one story, about the recording of Victim Of Love, was changed to lessen Felder's humilation in that episode. How much else was changed?

The thing that bothers me about it is that with Don Henley singing the song his almost total domination of the album became even more pronounced. But frankly, he is a better singer. I cannot imagine Felder singing it (even though I know that he sings it in his solo show).

[Freypower]

The primary songwriter is usually the one who has contributed the most or, all other things being equal, the initiator.

Many people equate the word "melody" with the whole tune. However, when Henley is speaking of the melody, he's speaking of what the lead singer is doing. So, my understanding of this is that Felder provided the backing instrumentation which gave the guys something to play around with to come up with the rest to layer on top of it.

It was certainly not unreasonable for Felder to expect to have one lead per album. That was always what had happened prior to HC, including on OOTN. Everyone else got a lead on HC. I know Bernie, Glenn, Don H and Randy at the beginning established each would get at least one lead per album and since Felder was brought in as an equal, I imagine he had the idea he would be treated as such in every way.

Plus, while I think Felder's voice is rather generic, he is probably a better singer than Henley is a guitar player. Therefore, I think Henley's analogy was flawed, although it made me laugh. Truth be told, fairness aside, I'd still rather hear Henley sing it.

We've heard Don H snark on Felder before, but Glenn has kept quiet except for an even toned statement in an interview with his old friend Wuhl. Therefore, hearing the contempt for Felder reflected in a voice that is usually so pleasant was jarring if not unexpected. I daresay we will get more of that tonight!


I'm sorry; I am also doing multiple posts.

I would rather hear Glenn after all these years be honest about Felder rather than attempt to sugar coat his feelings.

[Topkat]

I am still trying to digest what I have just seen because some of it was hard to handle. I have to say that I was a bit shocked by some of it. Kind of speechless right now.
I was glad to see Stevie appear at the end with some comments on the band & the music. That was cool.

[Brooke]

ah I loved it! Bittersweet! I did feel for Felder but you know he should have just let it be.

Fabulous show overall! :band:

Maybe Steviie will be in more in the actual dvd.

[TimothyBFan]

Given that Felder quotes Glenn as saying those words, I can hardly be surprised or disappointed by it. He was saying that he thought Felder was 'cheap' and that it didn't surprise him that Felder would not smash an expensive guitar.

Wasn't Felder saying that Glenn said it, Glenn said it on the doc last night.

Have to say, I was rather disappointed (not sure if that's actually the word I need to use) in what Glenn said about the whole Felder thing tonight. But when my husband, who knows nothing of any of the stories regarding it, looked at me during that part and said "what an ass", that spoke volumes to me.

Comic relief-- The part where Timothy is talking about people not recognizing him---Hubby says, he's never ran into you or I'd be reading the headline, "long haired rock star of the Eagles kidnapped by blonde in a black SUV". :lol:

Lot more respect for Joe for being so honest about how low he had sunk. It took a lot of courage to do that.

And love the fact that they talked about the How Long video and showed it and how Cindy found it online. YAY SODA!!!!!

[zeldabjr]

it was very hard to see Joe at his lowest...thank you God for bringing him back to us!!...

[Freypower]

Wasn't Felder saying that Glenn said it, Glenn said it on the doc last night.

Have to say, I was rather disappointed (not sure if that's actually the word I need to use) in what Glenn said about the whole Felder thing tonight. But when my husband, who knows nothing of any of the stories regarding it, looked at me during that part and said "what an ass", that spoke volumes to me.

Comic relief-- The part where Timothy is talking about people not recognizing him---Hubby says, he's never ran into you or I'd be reading the headline, "long haired rock star of the Eagles kidnapped by blonde in a black SUV". :lol:

Lot more respect for Joe for being so honest about how low he had sunk. It took a lot of courage to do that.

In Felder's book he directly quotes Glenn as saying 'you would break the cheapest guitar'. See page 211. The direct quote is 'typical of you to break your cheapest f***ing guitar'.

I'm sorry your husband feels that way about Glenn. Would you have preferred that he said nothing at all? For years, all we have heard is Felder's version & now when Glenn finally speaks he is slammed. He was angry. How else should he have behaved?

[sodascouts]

Absolutely fascinating. In its own way, this was just as good as Part 1.

Some glaring omissions: Henley's 1980 scandal (guess some things were off-limits even though much has been made about the guys being "hands off"), the Party of Two tour (the doc made it sound like Joe was completely isolated from them until HFO), Glenn's diverticulitis, and the lawsuit.

Glenn was startlingly blunt in his recounting of how the restructuring of contacts for HFO went down and the way he insisted that he and Don make more money. The phone call he made to Felder's representative was ice cold but like FP, I appreciate the honesty.

However, the whole decision to fire Felder was summarized by "we decided not to work with him anymore." Maybe legal restrictions were what caused them not even to say the word "lawsuit" in relation to Felder, but it was bizarre that its occurrence wasn't even mentioned.

The crying of Felder that was made so much of in reviews was really just him getting a bit teary-eyed and choked up when he talked about missing the music and friendships. Presumably he means hs friendship with Joe as that was the only person he actually was friends with at that point, right?

They talked about seeing How Long on YouTube, which made me squee, lol.

The most fascinating part for me: watching the band write "Get Over It." Amazingly cool insight into their process.

So, as before....

LOVED. IT.

[TimothyBFan]

In Felder's book he directly quotes Glenn as saying 'you would break the cheapest guitar'. See page 211. The direct quote is 'typical of you to break your cheapest f***ing guitar'.

I'm sorry your husband feels that way about Glenn. Would you have preferred that he said nothing at all? For years, all we have heard is Felder's version & now when Glenn finally speaks he is slammed.

Nobody is slamming him but I knew you'd think we were. Just stating what my husband's impression was when he saw that portion. And I have to agree, Glenn came off as very bitter and irate about it all. When you see it, I would like to see what you think.

And sorry if I misunderstood what you meant about Felder and the cheap guitar remark. I thought we were talking about what was said in the actual documentary.

[Freypower]

Absolutely fascinating. In its own way, this was just as good as Part 1.

Some glaring omissions: the Party of Two tour (it sounded like Joe was completely isolated for them until HFO), Glenn's diverticulitis, and the lawsuit.

Glenn was startlingly blunt in his recounting of how the restructuring of contacts for HFO went down and the way he insisted that he and Don make more money. The phone call he made to Felder was ice cold but like FP, I appreciate the honesty.

However, the whole decision to filer Felder was summarized by "we decided not to work with him anymore." Maybe legal restrictions were what caused them it even to say the wor d "lawsuit" in relation to Felder, it it was bizarre.

The crying of Felder that was made so much of in reviews was really just him getting a but teary-eyed and choked up when he talked about missing the music and friendships. Presumably he means hs friendship with Joe as that was the only person he actually was friends with, right?

They talked about seeing How Long on YouTube, which made me squee, lol.

The most fascinating part for me: watching the band write "Get Over It." Amazingly cool insight into their process.

So, as before....

LOVED. IT.

So do I understand that Glenn does not talk about the firing process at all, just the new contractual arrangements?

[zeldabjr]

Perhaps you should listen to his Road To Forever album. Surely you have heard Visions?

The answer is that in my opinion he does not have an effective singing voice. He can sing in tune, but he cannot 'sell' the song. Perhaps he is better singing live, where you can see what he is doing.

I never bought it...guess I should before next week!

[Freypower]

Nobody is slamming him but I knew you'd think we were. Just stating what my husband's impression was when he saw that portion. And I have to agree, Glenn came off as very bitter and irate about it all. When you see it, I would like to see what you think.

And sorry if I misunderstood what you meant about Felder and the cheap guitar remark. I thought we were talking about what was said in the actual documentary.

What was said in the documentary was simply repeating what was actually said, which I already knew about from the book.

You need to read Felder's book & then you will know what 'bitter & irate' is. There were two people in the argument.

I honestly don't want to sound as if I instantly have to rush to Glenn's defence when I obviously haven't seen it. But he isn't perfect. He is human & he had/has as much right to be angry about what happened as anybody else did. As I said, I prefer honesty to sugar coating.

[WalshFan88]

Wow.... I came away extremely disappointed and think a lot less of a particular member... I'll talk more when I can think with a clear head.

[zeldabjr]

loved hearing Steuart talk...never seen or heard any interviews with him before...it's an odd relationship he has with them...I think of him as one of the guys but he's really not...and I guess he's ok with it...

[Witchy Woman]

Some glaring omissions: Henley's 1980 scandal (guess some things were off-limits even though much has been made about the guys being "hands off"), the Party of Two tour (the doc made it sound like Joe was completely isolated from them until HFO), Glenn's diverticulitis, and the lawsuit.


I remember the diverticulitis well, as it postponed the show I was going to for 6 months. I was surprised by Glenn's candor, especially about the demand that he and Don make more money than the others, and his feelings about Felder. For his part, Felder seemed to genuinely miss the camaraderie of the group, and broke down while saying as much. I really was happy about part 2, mainly because I remember my excitement when they got back together, and being able to witness that in person. Good times.

[sodascouts]

So do I understand that Glenn does not talk about the firing process at all, just the new contractual arrangements?

That's correct.

[Witchy Woman]

loved hearing Steuart talk...never seen or heard any interviews with him before...it's an odd relationship he has with them...I think of him as one of the guys but he's really not...and I guess he's ok with it...


He's the Hugh McDonald of the Eagles !!

[TimothyBFan]

What was said in the documentary was simply repeating what was actually said, which I already knew about from the book.

What was said in thr documentary is not only what was said in the book because Glenn, Don and everyone else didn't speak in the book. Glenn himself said some pretty harsh things in the documentary. That's all I'm saying and you will see that yourself when you see the doc.


You need to read Felder's book & then you will know what 'bitter & irate' is. There were two people in the argument.

I know what 'bitter & irate are without reading this book BUT I am considering on reading it eventually just to see Felder's point of view now that I've heard Glenn & Don & Irving's points. When I have the time, I might give it a chance.


I honestly don't want to sound as if I instantly have to rush to Glenn's defence when I obviously haven't seen it. But he isn't perfect. He is human & he had/has as much right to be angry about what happened as anybody else did. As I said, I prefer honesty to sugar coating.

No one said he doesn't have as much right to be angy!!!! I'm not blaming him. I'm not saying he was wrong. I'm not saying Felder was right. Etc.. etc.... etc.... I'm simply saying that after I have watched this documentary, he came across very harsh when it came to this. That's all! I agree I'd rather have the honesty. That's why I like hearing it in their own words.

[zeldabjr]

He's the Hugh McDonald of the Eagles !!

yeah...I guess so!

[Topkat]

Wow.... I came away extremely disappointed and think a lot less of a particular member... I'll talk more when I can think with a clear head.

I can relate. Very disappointed... Can't even believe that came out of his mouth.

[sodascouts]

Why are you so shocked and disappointed? We all knew he was the one who insisted on more money. That is not a revelation. At least he had the balls to be straight up about it.

[Brooke]

Hey we already knew how bad it was! I was glad to hear the honesty. It was how it was.

A bit too much of the f word tho.

[TimothyBFan]

He's the Hugh McDonald of the Eagles !!

:lol: Hugh never became a Bon Jovi member?

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Given that Felder quotes Glenn as saying those words, I can hardly be surprised or disappointed by it. He was saying that he thought Felder was 'cheap' and that it didn't surprise him that Felder would not smash an expensive guitar.

I guess my problem is that I take this a little personally. Even in the midst of mind-numbing temper where it feels like someone else is taking over (fortunately it hasn't happened in a long time) at some deep level I was always with it enough to chose to destroy something that was either meaningless or cheap. The fact that my father's second wife still lives is proof. In my opinion, when there are options, only a complete moron would destroy something expensive when something cheaper is right next to it and just as easy to grab, and I'm a lot of things, but I'm not a moron.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Perhaps you should listen to his Road To Forever album. Surely you have heard Visions?

The answer is that in my opinion he does not have an effective singing voice. He can sing in tune, but he cannot 'sell' the song. Perhaps he is better singing live, where you can see what he is doing.

Ironically, my friends who were here tonight were wondering about his new album, so I played it. Of course from computer speakers it sounded flat, but they had the same opinion as me. Not Don, not Glenn, but a lot better than a lot of the crap being put out there and called music these days.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Nobody is slamming him but I knew you'd think we were. Just stating what my husband's impression was when he saw that portion. And I have to agree, Glenn came off as very bitter and irate about it all. When you see it, I would like to see what you think.
.

The friends I had here watching with me tonight were both nodding in agreement with what Glenn and Don had to say about Felder's firing. I mean, they were both shocked at some things that were said, but Glenn's assertion that he and Don had been keeping the name out there for 14 years rang true with them. They didn't say, but they seemed to think that while it could have been handled better or differently, Felder had zero reason to think he should make as much money as Don and Glenn. It was interesting to watch the movie with people how aren't the kind of people who hang out in fan forums all day! They were astonished at Glenn's forthright discussion of it, but basically agreed with the overall decision.

[TimothyBFan]

The friends I had here watching with me tonight were both nodding in agreement with what Glenn and Don had to say about Felder's firing. I mean, they were both shocked at some things that were said, but Glenn's assertion that he and Don had been keeping the name out there for 14 years rang true with them. They didn't say, but they seemed to think that while it could have been handled better or differently, Felder had zero reason to think he should make as much money as Don and Glenn. It was interesting to watch the movie with people how aren't the kind of people who hang out in fan forums all day! They were astonished at Glenn's forthright discussion of it, but basically agreed with the overall decision.

I agree that Glenn and Don definitely kept the name out there. No doubt about that from anyone I'd think. But I do also agree when they stated that as they were ending in 1980, Classic Rock stations were keeping their music alive also.

I keep going back to the fact that Felder must of been thinking that since the agreement was everyone is equal from way back that he just assumed that it would be that way when they reunited? I don't know. Just trying to give him the benefit of a doubt I guess.

What shocked me more than anything, I guess, is just the way Glenn talked about it. Glad he was honest and I expected him to be but he just seemed so hostile still to this day and the whole talking to his representative and telling them to sign on or else... WOW! I respect Glenn for saying it the way he felt but I just wasn't expecting it to be so in your face. KWIM.

And like I told someone earlier... had someone told me that there would be that kind of talk on tonight's part, I would of thought it was from Don H so I guess it surprised me even more that it was Glenn. Best way to describe it, I guess, was I was a bit disillusioned by the way he came across. Does that make sense?

[Freypower]

I agree that Glenn and Don definitely kept the name out there. No doubt about that from anyone I'd think. But I do also agree when they stated that as they were ending in 1980, Classic Rock stations were keeping their music alive also.

I keep going back to the fact that Felder must of been thinking that since the agreement was everyone is equal from way back that he just assumed that it would be that way when they reunited? I don't know. Just trying to give him the benefit of a doubt I guess.

What shocked me more than anything, I guess, is just the way Glenn talked about it. Glad he was honest and I expected him to be but he just seemed so hostile still to this day and the whole talking to his representative and telling them to sign on or else... WOW! I respect Glenn for saying it the way he felt but I just wasn't expecting it to be so in your face. KWIM.

And like I told someone earlier... had someone told me that there would be that kind of talk on tonight's part, I would of thought it was from Don H so I guess it surprised me even more that it was Glenn. Best way to describe it, I guess, was I was a bit disillusioned by the way he came across. Does that make sense?


Glenn is the band leader, not Don. He made the decision. It was always going to be Glenn who talked about it in this way.

I appreciate your explaining in more detail how you feel about it.

[zeldabjr]

if the hostility was in a clip from long ago it wouldn't have been surprised to see it, but yeah..this was just done last year...Glenn obviously hasn't gotten over it!

TBF...gotta love your new av and sig!!!:inlove:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

What shocked me more than anything, I guess, is just the way Glenn talked about it. Glad he was honest and I expected him to be but he just seemed so hostile still to this day and the whole talking to his representative and telling them to sign on or else... WOW! I respect Glenn for saying it the way he felt but I just wasn't expecting it to be so in your face. KWIM.

And like I told someone earlier... had someone told me that there would be that kind of talk on tonight's part, I would of thought it was from Don H so I guess it surprised me even more that it was Glenn. Best way to describe it, I guess, was I was a bit disillusioned by the way he came across. Does that make sense?

We don't know how Glenn may have worked up to 'in your face', he may have started out more softly and it was edited out. Remember, Ellwood and Gibney are director/producer and looking for the most impact. It seems to get Glenn's blood close to boiling every time he has to think about it. I wish I could say I could have done it better, but there are a few things in my life that would cause the same reaction from me, or worse. I know there are those here who feel that Felder was wronged when fired, and I obviously don't. I think his firing could have been handled in a more mature manner, but that's about it, and why I feel that way is in another thread. I just know that as a fan of the Eagles and of Don and especially Glenn, it was like swallowing acid every time I had to read the words 'the gods' in the book. If that was my reaction, I can't even imagine how Don and Glenn (and their families) felt about it. If that had ever happened to me, my blood pressure would have exploded off the charts, and I'd be dead now.

As for Glenn being harsh instead of Don, well, it would be difficult for Don to talk about it if he won't even say Felder's name... I do wonder if he refused to talk about it, or if the director just decided to not include it. I guess Henley talked about the VOL issue the most harshly and it was just Glenn's turn.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

well oh well Ican hardly wait for the dvd to come out:band:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

OK, I've made a lot of responses to other's comments but never really wrote what I thought of Part 2. I am so glad they spent some time on Hole In the World, and this is the part that made my eyes tear because my eyes tear every time I hear the song. You know how when you're really hurting over something and nearly bent double with it, sometimes a comforting hand on your shoulder speaks volumes and helps you feel better? This song is that hand on my shoulder for me. Kind of, "We've got the words you can't say." Jeez, I'm doing it again...:weep:

The interview that Joe did before rehab... Wow. Even reading about it in the reviews didn't prepare me for just how bad it was. It really hit me as I was watching that Joe went into rehab, he got out, they got back together. It seems like everyone else you read about has to go back to rehab several times. What an amazing feat to turn himself around and do it in one try. Even if the try to find his sober-self took a long time, he stayed dry while searching. I'm so glad our guys decided to get back together and I'm very glad they forced Joe's hand on cleaning up. Joe has added so much to my life since then, and I'm just a fan. His friends and family, I hope they appreciate just how hard that was.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Yes, me again. This has probably been discussed on here before, but I am watching Part 2 again. I knew that the Eagles signed with Geffen/Asylum for their first two albums and that whole fiasco. I knew that Henley signed with him for one or more of his solo albums and that didn't work out. But I just realized that HFO is with Geffen Records? Even in Part 2, Henley mentions what a mistake it was for him to go with him for the solo project. So HFO????

[WalshFan88]

Where do I start. lol

Overall, I thought it was an amazing documentary. I loved seeing the footage, some of the stories and stuff you never heard before, etc.

Part 2 is where it started to go down the crapper for me. Seeing them construct GOI backstage/in rehearsal was AWESOME. It's the last Eagles song to come out that I really like.

The attitude Glenn has about the money issue is really off putting to me. I realize GF and DH are the songwriters, but his attitude and holier than thou puts me off to say the least. There is more to the Eagles than those two. I think some people would be ok with any lineup as long as it included those two. Randy and Bernie left on their own terms. The former members, Joe, and Tim contributed every bit as much IMO as GF and DH, just in a different way... It might be rehashing previous thoughts but DF brought them Hotel California. He didn't write all of it, but without him it would have ceased to exist. Considering HC is their biggest hit that everyone knows, I'd say they have a lot to be thankful for when it comes to DF.

The treatment of Felder from what I see/hear in this doc and what I read makes me very unhappy. Calling him an "asshole", "ungrateful SOB", etc is really not necessary. Yes, he said things he shouldn't have and perhaps done things he shouldn't have, but I feel that it was blown out of proportion by Glenn and Don. I think that Felder is no angel and I certainly realize that. Perhaps if he was more respected and appreciated, he wouldn't have had those things to say in the book and in the reunion and if he had been rightfully terminated and not try to cut him out, the lawsuit would never have happened.

As far as the firing, I don't believe he should have been fired. The whole "sign it by midnight or else" Glenn says in Part 2 really bothers me how he called him an asshole and hung up the phone on DF's manager. Really, really immature IMO. And how Glenn rehashed that in this doc is in poor taste IMO. They should have been more civil about the contract and talked a bit more professionally. If Felder still refused to sign, then replace him. But from what I heard in the doc, he signed it and then was later fired. That's wrong.

Yes, it was nothing we hadn't heard before, but the fact that GF still acts that way about it present day is petty IMO. I think the one that needs to "Get Over It", is Glenn.

JMO. I realize I will be the odd one out in this discussion but I also realize people have said things about Felder and his book and this is the way I feel about what I saw tonight. I still like Glenn Frey as a singer and love this band but as a person or a band member, I have to admit I am a bit taken back by this.

Go easy on me. :hilarious:

[sodascouts]

I'm not going to make excuses for Glenn's tone or try to explain it away. To me, it seems pretty evident that Glenn doesn't feel he's done anything he needs to apologize for, and I'm not going to sit here and apologize on his behalf.

In fact, Glenn doesn't sound bitter to me; on the contrary, he sounds almost proud of the way he dealt with Felder. At the end, the last thing he says is how he feels the second time around, he's done a much better job as band leader and the only thing he regrets is not handling things better in the seventies.

By the way, Glenn said something that puzzled me (unrelated to Felder) - he said that he planned to do the HFO reunion for just three months, and before he left, he told his wife and children that he didn't know what the tour would do to him and that he might be unrecognizable when it was over. What do you think he meant by that?

[sodascouts]

Yes, me again. This has probably been discussed on here before, but I am watching Part 2 again. I knew that the Eagles signed with Geffen/Asylum for their first two albums and that whole fiasco. I knew that Henley signed with him for one or more of his solo albums and that didn't work out. But I just realized that HFO is with Geffen Records? Even in Part 2, Henley mentions what a mistake it was for him to go with him for the solo project. So HFO????

That was part of Don Henley's settlement with Geffen Records; Geffen would let Henley out of his record contract and drop the $30 million lawsuit if the Eagles would release HFO on Geffen records/video.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

By the way, Glenn said something that struck me - he said that he planned to do the HFO reunion for just three months, and before he left, he told his wife and children that he didn't know what the tour would do to him and that he might be unrecognizable when it was over. What do you think he meant by that?

First, I've heard before that when HFO came about and the reunion tour, they all thought that tour would be it and no more after that. As for the rest, his wife and kids and even pets grounded him. On tour, he would get constant feedback from fans and DJs and everyone about how great he is. On tour, assistants and such jump and meet his every request. At home, his young children's favorite word is 'no'. I assume since every young child seems to like that word. That's how I took it, hard to say if that's what he meant.

[sodascouts]

As for Glenn being harsh instead of Don, well, it would be difficult for Don to talk about it if he won't even say Felder's name... I do wonder if he refused to talk about it, or if the director just decided to not include it. I guess Henley talked about the VOL issue the most harshly and it was just Glenn's turn.

Don Henley has said Felder's name plenty of times in this doc. The reason he wasn't the one relating the story is that he wasn't the one who made the call.

TBF, I'm sorry to hear you were disillusioned because Glenn spoke harshly, but I'm also a bit surprised. I didn't need a documentary to show me that Glenn can be as harsh as Don Henley when he feels it's called for.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

If Felder still refused to sign, then replace him. But from what I heard in the doc, he signed it and then was later fired. That's wrong.

Go easy on you?? No way!! Seriously, Austin, even if I don't agree with all that you've written, I at least understand where you're coming from. The part I quoted above is the one part I don't. They didn't get into it the doc and perhaps they should have, as most who see it won't have read Felder's book for the details. However, he signed the contract and then continually (perhaps like water on a stone?) asked questions, doubted it, brought it up. For years. Then got his lawyer involved who sent a letter to Frey/Henley/Azoff. At least that's what he put in his book, as I recall it. If I'm mistaken, let me know. But if I remember correctly, it was the letter that made Glenn and Don decide they'd had enough and to let him go. They honored the contract he'd signed in 1994. Also, if I remember correctly, throughout his book he made mention of the fact that he either never read or never understood the contracts he signed...like it was anyone's responsibility but his. I suppose I should go back and reread the book, but it won't be tonight.

[WalshFan88]

Go easy on you?? No way!! Seriously, Austin, even if I don't agree with all that you've written, I at least understand where you're coming from. The part I quoted above is the one part I don't. They didn't get into it the doc and perhaps they should have, as most who see it won't have read Felder's book for the details. However, he signed the contract and then continually (perhaps like water on a stone?) asked questions, doubted it, brought it up. For years. Then got his lawyer involved who sent a letter to Frey/Henley/Azoff. At least that's what he put in his book, as I recall it. If I'm mistaken, let me know. But if I remember correctly, it was the letter that made Glenn and Don decide they'd had enough and to let him go. They honored the contract he'd signed in 1994. Also, if I remember correctly, throughout his book he made mention of the fact that he either never read or never understood the contracts he signed...like it was anyone's responsibility but his. I suppose I should go back and reread the book, but it won't be tonight.

Ah. I haven't read H&H for a couple years. I should reread it while the doc is fresh in my mind. I didn't realize it was that much of a back and forth thing.

I think I was naive prior to the doc. I knew it was bad, but had no clue how bad it really was when it came to the firing.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Don Henley has said Felder's name plenty of times in this doc. The reason he wasn't the one relating the story is that he wasn't the one who made the call.

I guess I'm going to have to watch it AGAIN. Torture, I'm sure... :lie:

So when Glenn said 'we finally made the decision' he meant he and Irving?

[sodascouts]

Felder signed the contract in 1994 under the "duress" of Glenn telling him "sign it by sunset or you're out of the band." However, he was unhappy and complained constantly. As Glenn put it, Felder didn't care about how much HE was making; he only cared about whether or not he was making as much as Glenn and Don H.

In the late 90s, Glenn and Don H wanted to redo the contracts again. This time, Felder balked at signing; he'd gotten his lawyer involved. Instead of giving Felder another ultimatum, they just fired him. AFTER Felder was fired, he said he'd sign the revised contracts if they would just let him be in the band again, but by then it was too late.

[steve_e_dee]

Hi Everyone,
What better way to post for the first time here, than sharing some thoughts about “History Of The Eagles”. As an L.A. native (still here and current in the entertainment industry), I’ve lived smack dab in the middle of Eagleland. Like all of you, I’ve waited years and years and years to hear stories straight from the horses’ mouths’, opposed to fired band members and unauthorized biographies (although I personally believe much as what’s been written in the past, including Felder’s book)

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. At the end of last night, I wanted more… and sure enough, when tonight ended, I said the same thing...”More please”. The interviews were informative, the archive footage fascinating, and the music…well, that’s most important.

However, there were some issues I can’t shake. They aren’t make and break, and I hope I don’t get slammed, but wanted to share (note – I still loved it).

Firstly, Gibney and Ellwood could have done a much better job. I just don’t feel they captured how enormous this band once was. There just wasn’t that “1-2 punch”, if that makes any sense. I’ve loved their work in the past, but Pearl Jam’s Twenty, Scorsese’s George Harrison Docu and Tom Petty’s Running Down a Dream all had more power. I think they could have displayed their impact to society better than they did. We get 5-10 min about On The Border and One of these Nights, yet 40+ minutes about HFO? Huh?

Another quick point about the filmmakers -- No former band members were thanked in the credits. Nor was Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Glyn Johns or anyone else. I find that disgusting and quite insensitive.

Secondly, this is a whole band. It is not called “Don Henley, Glenn Frey and the Eagles”. Many have said it here, and I completely comprehend Frey and Henley are the leaders (musically and otherwise), but I wish I saw even more insight from the former members… and others close to the band. Jackson Browne was really the only one with much insight, but I could rattle off a list of plenty in the know who could lend a statement here and there.

Thirdly, Don Felder. Full disclosure, I’m a big Felder fan. From all I’ve seen and heard (which is more than has ever been written), he got the shaft, plain and simple. While I still love Felder, I have to say I have changed my opinion a bit after watching this. Glenn’s simple statement about what he and Henley did while the Eagles were broken up is something I didn’t consider much until he said it. Frey is right…if it wasn’t for him and DH touring, playing the songs, etc, there might not have been nearly the success that was HFO. In some ways, I now think they are entitled to more, but there is one thing that cannot be denied – Felder’s guitar work is every bit responsible for Eagles stardom as Frey/Henley. You cannot put one ahead of the other. Hotel California, the opening riffs and the guitar work at the end --- Szymczyk said it himself – is what he is most proud of in his entire career. Not to mention is numerous guitar contributions. Felder is no saint… and after seeing this (and seeing him in a Q&A several weeks ago at the grammy museum), that was confirmed, but Glenn is a very….very close 2nd (and may even be worse). Felder’s and Frey’s selfishness and stubbornness canceled each other out, but both of those guys need to check themselves a little. However… it is Glenn’s band, and he said what he thought he had to say. If Felder had a brain, he would stop with the nonsense, end any lawsuits, maybe even reverse a couple in the past, and make an effort every 30-60 days until they crack and give it a try (which they will, because there’s money to be made, and people don’t go to see Steuart Smith…but the main lineup is a nice marketing tagline when almost everyone has already seen you in the last 7 years of touring).

Overall, I really liked it. True, from reading you may think otherwise, but that isn’t the case. It was fantastic. I’m just doing what I always do when reviewing something – take off the rose colored glasses and be honest.

Thanks all (let the flaming begin)
Steve


Final Note - someone said earlier, there’s three sides to a story - his, mine and truth. We’ll never know the truth part, but its clear that all the players (Azoff and Geffen included) are not saints. In fact, some may even be considered a scumbag (or worse). They are musicians who impacted our lives and became a soundtrack to each of us.


They aren’t gods… but I can see the resemblance.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

In the late 90s, Glenn and Don H wanted to redo the contracts again. This time, Felder balked at signing; he'd gotten his lawyer involved. Instead of giving Felder another ultimatum, they just fired him. AFTER Felder was fired, he said he'd sign the revised contracts if they would just let him be in the band again, but by then it was too late.

On page 315 it says he signed the new contract, and it had to do with the box set, Selected Works 1972-1999. Months later, in Feb 2001, he had his lawyer send a 'gentle reminder' to Irving to ask for details of certain agreements (after months of asking for details of who was making what) and two days later Irving let him know he was fired. It's confusing because he says the response he got back about the 'certain agreements' were that they were unsigned. He reminded Irving that he'd signed the contract and that everything was cool. When he called Glenn, Glenn said “I never want to get another f***ing letter from Barry Tyerman,”

[zeldabjr]

I'm watching Part 2 for the third time tonight!...I love the part when they did the MTV concert and Don forgets the lyrics..and Glenn cracks up...
I'm amazed at the reticence Don and Glenn had when they got together to write again...hard to believe these guys were unsure of themselves..but I guess they're human...and for them to be unsure if anyone would show up at concerts if they toured again...Really?...wow

[OutlawManNJ]

LONG time Eagles fan and was excited when I found out about the film. I was even more excited after I saw part 1! I cant believe they held out on that footage for so long!! I swear i thought they must have had nothing, since very little footage was known. AMAZING!

Ill write more later (after catching up on tread) including my story of what happened to me at the 1994 HFO show at Giants stadium.

[Topkat]

I'm going to make one very brief comment for thought around here. Something that occurred to me last night.
In all Glenn's arguments that he & Henley deserved more money, I'm going to compare this to the BEATLES. Here Lennon & McCartney did MOST of the songwriting & lead vocals, but did that make Harrison & Ringo LESS of a BEATLE? Did they earn LESS money? I don't think so??? I'm just saying that a band needs all the players, yes some of them can be replaced.... but it's not the same...Would the Beatles still have the same impact if they replaced George Harrison? or Ringo? I don't know, but I'm just saying that Felder was a part of this band, & it IS different without him.
I don't think that his contributions to the band were given enough credit.
Would there even BE a Hotel California if not for Felder? I don't know & isn't that the song that brought the band to the highest level of fame...I do believe it was.
Just because Felder didn't sing as many leads or write as many songs that went into the albums, did it mean he didn't work as hard at it as Henley & Frey??? He submitted many works that the band never took any further.
I'm just saying that Henley & Frey felt they deserved more....Well, I'm thinking maybe they don't, but this was their argument.
Just something to think about.

[sodascouts]

Hi Everyone,
What better way to post for the first time here, than sharing some thoughts about “History Of The Eagles”. As an L.A. native (still here and current in the entertainment industry), I’ve lived smack dab in the middle of Eagleland. Like all of you, I’ve waited years and years and years to hear stories straight from the horses’ mouths’, opposed to fired band members and unauthorized biographies (although I personally believe much as what’s been written in the past, including Felder’s book)

I thoroughly enjoyed watching this. At the end of last night, I wanted more… and sure enough, when tonight ended, I said the same thing...”More please”. The interviews were informative, the archive footage fascinating, and the music…well, that’s most important.

However, there were some issues I can’t shake. They aren’t make and break, and I hope I don’t get slammed, but wanted to share (note – I still loved it).

Firstly, Gibney and Ellwood could have done a much better job. I just don’t feel they captured how enormous this band once was. There just wasn’t that “1-2 punch”, if that makes any sense. I’ve loved their work in the past, but Pearl Jam’s Twenty, Scorsese’s George Harrison Docu and Tom Petty’s Running Down a Dream all had more power. I think they could have displayed their impact to society better than they did. We get 5-10 min about On The Border and One of these Nights, yet 40+ minutes about HFO? Huh?

Another quick point about the filmmakers -- No former band members were thanked in the credits. Nor was Jackson Browne, Bob Seger, Linda Ronstadt, Jimmy Buffett, Glyn Johns or anyone else. I find that disgusting and quite insensitive.

Secondly, this is a whole band. It is not called “Don Henley, Glenn Frey and the Eagles”. Many have said it here, and I completely comprehend Frey and Henley are the leaders (musically and otherwise), but I wish I saw even more insight from the former members… and others close to the band. Jackson Browne was really the only one with much insight, but I could rattle off a list of plenty in the know who could lend a statement here and there.

Thirdly, Don Felder. Full disclosure, I’m a big Felder fan. From all I’ve seen and heard (which is more than has ever been written), he got the shaft, plain and simple. While I still love Felder, I have to say I have changed my opinion a bit after watching this. Glenn’s simple statement about what he and Henley did while the Eagles were broken up is something I didn’t consider much until he said it. Frey is right…if it wasn’t for him and DH touring, playing the songs, etc, there might not have been nearly the success that was HFO. In some ways, I now think they are entitled to more, but there is one thing that cannot be denied – Felder’s guitar work is every bit responsible for Eagles stardom as Frey/Henley. You cannot put one ahead of the other. Hotel California, the opening riffs and the guitar work at the end --- Szymczyk said it himself – is what he is most proud of in his entire career. Not to mention is numerous guitar contributions. Felder is no saint… and after seeing this (and seeing him in a Q&A several weeks ago at the grammy museum), that was confirmed, but Glenn is a very….very close 2nd (and may even be worse). Felder’s and Frey’s selfishness and stubbornness canceled each other out, but both of those guys need to check themselves a little. However… it is Glenn’s band, and he said what he thought he had to say. If Felder had a brain, he would stop with the nonsense, end any lawsuits, maybe even reverse a couple in the past, and make an effort every 30-60 days until they crack and give it a try (which they will, because there’s money to be made, and people don’t go to see Steuart Smith…but the main lineup is a nice marketing tagline when almost everyone has already seen you in the last 7 years of touring).

Overall, I really liked it. True, from reading you may think otherwise, but that isn’t the case. It was fantastic. I’m just doing what I always do when reviewing something – take off the rose colored glasses and be honest.

Thanks all (let the flaming begin)
Steve


Final Note - someone said earlier, there’s three sides to a story - his, mine and truth. We’ll never know the truth part, but its clear that all the players (Azoff and Geffen included) are not saints. In fact, some may even be considered a scumbag (or worse). They are musicians who impacted our lives and became a soundtrack to each of us.


They aren’t gods… but I can see the resemblance.

Welcome Steve! I see nothing to flame here. Even though I think the world of Glenn Frey, I too felt Gibney and Ellwood could have included more "talking head" interviews from others as well. I mean, they interviewed Stevie Nicks and only showed her for five seconds during the credits?? She had significant relationships with both Henley and Walsh, but the quote they use is a generic one about how the Eagles inspired peope who knew them to be better musicians? Mmmmkay.

As for the credits, when I saw Dave Grohl's Sound City doc, they listed every person who appeared under "starring." It was cute. I don't know why Gibney and Ellwood didn't give any kind of acknowledgement to the people they interviewed in the credits. I haven't seen their other work - maybe that's the norm for them - but it was a bit strange. I mean, they list their freaking interns, some of which had some familiar last names, lol. They can't list the former members and people they talked to?

[sodascouts]

LONG time Eagles fan and was excited when I found out about the film. I was even more excited after I saw part 1! I cant believe they held out on that footage for so long!! I swear i thought they must have had nothing, since very little footage was known. AMAZING!

Ill write more later (after catching up on tread) including my story of what happened to me at the 1994 HFO show at Giants stadium.

Welcome, Outlaw Man! I can't wait to hear your story!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

As for the credits, when I saw Dave Grohl's "Sound City" doc, they listed every person who appeared under "starring." It was cute. I don't know why Gibney and Ellwood didn't give any kind of acknowledgement to the people they interviewed in the credits. I haven't seen their other work - maybe that's the norm for them - but it was a bit strange. I mean, they list their freaking interns, some of which had some familiar last names, lol. They can't list the former members and people they talked to?

Maybe because their names were on the screen as they interviewed? Just a guess, I have no idea how it all works, and I'm one of those horrid people who never watch the credits of any movie. I've always figured that I do my job and do it well and no one rolls my name on a screen in front of our customers!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Welcome, Steve and Outlaw Man!!! Nice to have you on board!

[OutlawManNJ]

Topkat you took the words right out of my mouth! I was gonna write that but didnt want my first post to say that. One of my biggest problems with frey henley is the greed. This documentary just confirmed it even more. Like you said Hotel california wouldnt exist as we know it without Felder that is a fact. And HC is the song that put the Eagles in another realm. The song that most of the planet recognizes as theirs.

Frey said in the end that he is happy with how he handled things the second time around, how he "kept the band together" really? He kept the band together this time around? Last i checked Felder isnt there.

My story i was gonna tell about me at Giants stadium in 94 is when I felt the, if even indirect, greed of the eagles. I was a huge Eagles fan and went to that 94 show and had a camera on me like most people. The differnce was that my camera was a little nicer than most of the point and shoots people had on them. Anyway I had waited my entire life to see them play and was very excited.

I had great tickets for a stadium show, 12th row on the floor slightly to Walsh's side of the stage. I was right up there. As a matter of fact its the show features in part 2 of the film.

As they came on and opened with Hotel california i snapped a few shots like many people around me and put the camera down. For the next 2 or 3 songs I would take a shot or 2. After 12 shots somewhere into the 3rd or 4th song suddenly an Eagles security guy shows up in the middle of a song and tells me no photos. So I say ok and proceed to put the camera away. But he then says "give me the film". I was like why?? Other people are taking photos and you are not stopping them but you want my film?? He insisted and said give me the film or get kicked out. All this while the eagles sing just some feet away. I tried to talk him out of it telling him i was a big fan and would feel like he was taking a part of me if he took my photos but he stood his ground. You have 5 seconds to give me the film or be kicked out.

I really didnt want to give him my film so I did some quick thinking and gave him a roll of shots from the parking lot and he finally left. After settling down i enjoyed the rest of the show. But my immediate thought was these guys are making millions upon millions and they hound their fans because of some photos? Even worse threaten to kick them out if they dont hand over personal property! I was pissed and never forgot that. I know it wasnt frey or henley themselves that walked off stage to grab my film but i always felt that it was something they approved. It did leave a little bad taste in my mouth but i still love the band and music and was thrilled waching especially part 1. Half way through i was giddy in excitement not believing the amazing footage they finally unearthed.

I still have those 12 frames of film, if you guys are interested i can post them.

[TimothyBFan]

Welcome OutlawManNJ & Steve!!! Glad you jumped on board and it's nice to see a couple opinions from new members here. Hope we hear more.




I still have those 12 frames of film, if you guys are interested i can post them.

You don't even have to ask---- You bet we'd love to see those shots, especially since you had to go through so much to keep them safe!! Thank you!!


In fact, Glenn doesn't sound bitter to me; on the contrary, he sounds almost proud of the way he dealt with Felder. At the end, the last thing he says is how he feels the second time around, he's done a much better job as band leader and the only thing he regrets is not handling things better in the seventies.

I think he should indeed be extremely proud of what he's accomplished over the last 40+ years but he sure shouldn't be proud of how bitter he seemed, and I will call it nothing other than bitter. His language or even his attitude doesn't shock me, I've heard it all before.



TBF, I'm sorry to hear you were disillusioned because Glenn spoke harshly, but I'm also a bit surprised. I didn't need a documentary to show me that Glenn can be as harsh as Don Henley when he feels it's called for.

Disillusioned probably isn't the right word but surprised that he still sounds so bitter, even after this many years, while talking about it. VA---you're right tho-we do not know how he worked himself up to that state. I am disappointed that he came across like he did last night.

I still think it's very strange that we all seem to see it 2 totally different ways.

Again--- I'm not saying Glenn was wrong and Felder was right. I seriously don't know because as has been pointed out, NO ONE knows the actual truth. And as far as Felder, I really don't miss him, to me, Steuart does a fine job, in my opinion. So it's not that I'm defending Felder in any way, shape or form.

I would love to hear how some people that aren't fans felt if they saw this last night. I think it would be interesting to see their opinions.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

First, I am gonna say that I have not seen the doc yet .
I have enjoyed reading and re reading all the posts in this thread.
We all have opinions and we are all are "die hard" fans. I think WW said it best about there being three sides(hope I said that right ww)
Personally I think we all do things at any given time in our lives where we feel we are doing the right or best thing at the time...and then sometimes we look back and say "ah geeze ...should have or could have done that differently". Plus , if I read the posts correctly , alot of their decissions were done at times they were under the influence of substances possibly.

Just a thought...about the beatles comments....You guys should read"YOu never give me your money". It explains it all about the money end of the beatles and their break up. Very highly reccommedn it.I think the reason George Harrison had a three lp of "all things must Pass" was because it was all the material that the Other beatles had rejected. That lp was a big seller and an award winner....I dont see DF doing that after he left the Eagles. I am not taking away from the man the contribution he made to (my fave eagles song) HOtel California". I think JMO his strenght was his guitar talents.....like all the parts (GF, DH , DF, JW and TBS) made the whole (the eagles) Example,,I like the music to the song VIsions....but I dont like the vocals...jmo not df 's strong suit...

SO to get back to point.....I dont think any of them were angles in the contract disputes that tried to become bigger than the band itself.

WELCOME TO STEVE AND OUTLAW MAN..may you enjoy your time on the border.:hug:

[Tiffanny Twisted]

steve...I did enjoy reading your post:headbang:

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Maybe because their names were on the screen as they interviewed? Just a guess, I have no idea how it all works, and I'm one of those horrid people who never watch the credits of any movie. I've always figured that I do my job and do it well and no one rolls my name on a screen in front of our customers!
va..love this quote about your name on a credit screen:thumbsup::rofl:

[Topkat]

OutlawManNJ, thanks for posting your story, but it doesn't surprise me & probably doesn't shock anybody around here because most of us have either seen or experienced the wrath of having a camera at an Eagles show. I'm so glad you were fast thinking & gave that goon the wrong film!!! KUDOS to YOU
Heck yeah we wanna see it!!

As for Frey, well his behavior in last nights episode only confirmed my feelings about him & my opinion that he is a bully. To call Felder an Ahole, & to pressure him to sign the contract before the sun goes down or he's out of the F**king band. Well, That said it all to me. He still sounds bitter, angry & immature. That task could have easily been done by Irving, but Glenn seemed to actually take pleasure in making that call.

When Felder signed it, it was under duress, so he questioned it later. If it was his responsibility to know what was in the contract, he barely even had enough time to go over it. Frey was trying to bully him right out of the band, just like he did to Randy. Though Randy officially "quit", he was practically pushed out by Glenn.

These are some of the reasons I can't feel the love some of you have for Glenn. I respect his talent & what he brings to the Eagles, but as a person, I just find him borderline abusive... So there, I've said what I really feel. Yeah, Glenn's not my favorite Eagle!

A big Welcome to Steve & OutlawMan....Nice to have some new people in here!!!

[EagleLady]

OutlawManNJ, thanks for posting your story, but it doesn't surprise me & probably doesn't shock anybody around here because most of us have either seen or experienced the wrath of having a camera at an Eagles show. I'm so glad you were fast thinking & gave that goon the wrong film!!! KUDOS to YOU
Heck yeah we wanna see it!!

As for Frey, well his behavior in last nights episode only confirmed my feelings about him & my opinion that he is a bully. To call Felder an Ahole, & to pressure him to sign the contract before the sun goes down or he's out of the F**king band. Well, That said it all to me. He still sounds bitter, angry & immature. That task could have easily been done by Irving, but Glenn seemed to actually take pleasure in making that call.

When Felder signed it, it was under duress, so he questioned it later. If it was his responsibility to know what was in the contract, he barely even had enough time to go over it. Frey was trying to bully him right out of the band, just like he did to Randy. Though Randy officially "quit", he was practically pushed out by Glenn.

These are some of the reasons I can't feel the love some of you have for Glenn. I respect his talent & what he brings to the Eagles, but as a person, I just find him borderline abusive... So there, I've said what I really feel. Yeah, Glenn's not my favorite Eagle!

A big Welcome to Steve & OutlawMan....Nice to have some new people in here!!!


I can't agree with your Unjustified Statement That Glenn is a bully. Felder brought it all on himself IMO!

[OutlawManNJ]

I can't agree with your Unjustified Statement That Glenn is a bully. Felder brought it all on himself IMO!

I commend Frey and the rest for their bluntness in the film. One of my fears about the film was that it would be an authorized film which would mean it would be soft and glossy. I was even worried that we would only hear from current Eagles. So I was happy that they all spoke and that they didnt hold back much. Who would want to see a filme of them just praising each other the whole time.

That said one has to look at the 3 times someone left the band and who had the bloddy knife every single time? Glenn Frey.

Frey says "then i thought leadon for walsh hmmm". I mean he was scheming to kick out an original member. Then with Meisner it was Frey that again had major issues. His pick of timmothy schmidt seemed to have been well thought out ahead of time. And with Felder again Frey is all ove that Twice! Once in the 80s and again in 2000.

I still like them all but Frey does have some blood on his hands.

[zeldabjr]

Glenn is the leader of the band...so it always seems that he's the one to be the one "with blood on his hands"....that's just part of being the leader...his job is to watch out for what's best for the group...not an easy or always pleasant job...that doesn't make him a bully...just sayin'

[Topkat]

I commend Frey and the rest for their bluntness in the film. One of my fears about the film was that it would be an authorized film which would mean it would be soft and glossy. I was even worried that we would only hear from current Eagles. So I was happy that they all spoke and that they didnt hold back much. Who would want to see a filme of them just praising each other the whole time.

That said one has to look at the 3 times someone left the band and who had the bloddy knife every single time? Glenn Frey.

Frey says "then i thought leadon for walsh hmmm". I mean he was scheming to kick out an original member. Then with Meisner it was Frey that again had major issues. His pick of timmothy schmidt seemed to have been well thought out ahead of time. And with Felder again Frey is all ove that Twice! Once in the 80s and again in 2000.

I still like them all but Frey does have some blood on his hands.

Thank you, I do believe that statement was justified!
You're right, when Randy left, Glenn called Timothy the next day & invited him into the band. Much as I love Tim, I agree that Glenn planned this all along. He was making Randy so miserable, that he quit. They already knew how great Tim was in Poco, so as Tim said, he never played anything to get into the band, just invited to join....
I never even thought about the Bernie situation....Ummm it did seem a bit odd.

[EagleLady]

I Believe you're letting your preferedness for Felder cloud your judgment on Glenn.

[Topkat]

Glenn is the leader of the band...so it always seems that he's the one to be the one "with blood on his hands"....that's just part of being the leader...his job is to watch out for what's best for the group...not an easy or always pleasant job...that doesn't make him a bully...just sayin'

Well, did you read, To the Limit or the Felder book? It was not for the sake of the band, much of it was personal & BS. He instigated the fights that were almost fist fights in many cases...Did you ever read about how he treated Randy? It wasn't all in the movie... Sorry, he was a bully!

[EagleLady]

I fail to see how Glenn is a bully.

[Topkat]

I Believe you're letting your preferedness for Felder cloud your judgment on Glenn.

I don't think so. Things that happened with others & had nothing to do with Felder...This all goes way back.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Obviously, the movie changed no one's mind about anything, and I didn't expect it to. I've read all the same books and got completely different things out of them. I've read all the previous interviews and got a different interpretation. The difference between a good leader and a bully depends on which side you're on, and I'm not just talking the Eagles here.

I find it extremely disappointing that this thread has denigrated to this issue. There was a lot more to movie, both parts, than the one segment that has already been rehashed ad infinitum elsewhere on this board.

[zeldabjr]

[QUOTE=VAisForEagleLovers;212004]Obviously, the movie changed no one's mind about anything, and I didn't expect it to. I've read all the same books and got completely different things out of them. I've read all the previous interviews and got a different interpretation. The difference between a good leader and a bully depends on which side you're on, and I'm not just talking the Eagles here.

I find it extremely disappointing that this thread has denigrated to this issue. There was a lot more to movie, both parts, than the one segment that has already been rehashed ad infinitum elsewhere on this board.[/QUOTE(

what you say is very true VA(in most cases:wink:)

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Obviously, the movie changed no one's mind about anything, and I didn't expect it to. I've read all the same books and got completely different things out of them. I've read all the previous interviews and got a different interpretation. The difference between a good leader and a bully depends on which side you're on, and I'm not just talking the Eagles here.

I find it extremely disappointing that this thread has denigrated to this issue. There was a lot more to movie, both parts, than the one segment that has already been rehashed ad infinitum elsewhere on this board.
well said VA and Zelda....
Somepeople around here (I am not naming names casue you guys know who you are) always feel they need to take it up for DF...He was no angel and neither were the others in the group...they all did things..
I am so sorry that certain people have let this thread desisntagrate to "poor DF..yet again.
when I check this thread , I wanna hear about the whole doc umentary not just that one iodia of history that they all share.
can we get back to topic please and not just hightlight df's firing???

[VAisForEagleLovers]

HaHa Zelda, I like that qualifier! Hey, speaking of you, hockey, and the DVD, I swear I saw a Sabres hat on Glenn's head during Part 2. I'm going to rewatch it after this game is over. I seriously hope my eyes deceived me.

[zeldabjr]

I was under the impression that the Travis Tritt video was the first time they had gotten together...didn't realize that the guys had tried to get together in 1990 but Glenn wasn't willing...yet...

[zeldabjr]

HaHa Zelda, I like that qualifier! Hey, speaking of you, hockey, and the DVD, I swear I saw a Sabres hat on Glenn's head during Part 2. I'm going to rewatch it after this game is over. I seriously hope my eyes deceived me.

wow...really?...let me know!

[timfan]

Would love to hear more of the good stuff from Part 2.. it seems (IMO) we have mainly been hearing of the negatives thus far. If I remember from the trailer video there seemed to be footage from the Christchuch show, was there?

[VAisForEagleLovers]

well said VA and Zelda....
Somepeople around here (I am not naming names casue you guys know who you are) always feel they need to take it up for DF...He was no angel and neither were the others in the group...they all did things..
I am so sorry that certain people have let this thread desisntagrate to "poor DF..yet again.

It is appropriate for each person to discuss it in this thread, since it is part of the movie, however, it gets to the point when perhaps it needs its own thread elsewhere. It's a polarizing topic and it's taking away from the other 2.75 hours of the movie(s). I'm maybe being a little selfish...if it went to another thread, I could just never go into it and see things that upset me.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Hi all I enjoyed part 2 though parts of it were hard to see. The beginning was awesome with the HFO press conference. I liked how they cut clips in, it was so cool.

I loved watching Joe's journey back and how all the members helped support him through it. :hug:

I also liked watching them collaborate and create some of the songs and the old version of How Long.

It's always hard watching members come and go no matter what. The important thing is to remember that all the members formed and contributed to the band we all love and we will always have the songs.

:band:

PS I loved the Stevie cameo :steviesmack: I wish there was more.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Would love to hear more of the good stuff from Part 2.. it seems (IMO) we have mainly been hearing of the negatives thus far. If I remember from the trailer video there seemed to be footage from the Christchuch show, was there?

No probably because of all the rain. But the Dublin show looked very similar :hug:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

Would love to hear more of the good stuff from Part 2.. it seems (IMO) we have mainly been hearing of the negatives thus far. If I remember from the trailer video there seemed to be footage from the Christchuch show, was there?

I'm a bad fan and have never watched the Christchurch DVD, either, so I don't know the answer to this.

When talking about Glenn and Don's solo stuff they showed a good clip of Glenn from Miami Vice, had great expressions on Crockett and Tubbs' faces. Made us laugh. There was clip from Jerry McGuire, too.

There was footage from a recent concert where Glenn wore the light blue shirt with dark blue or black trim (he wears it in the After Hours trailer), other than that, the most recent footage was from the Eden tour and the suits.

Once again, drank way too much pink champagne. Then a good bit of regular champagne.

Showed bits and pieces of their solo videos and showed Don in those plaid pants I remember thinking Soda would love that.

Someone else mentioned it, but the MTV filming where Don forgot lyrics was really funny. The look on Glenn's face when he realized what the problem was made it funnier. Since it wasn't live, it all worked out, but it was a great segment.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

I'm a bad fan and have never watched the Christchurch DVD, either, so I don't know the answer to this.

When talking about Glenn and Don's solo stuff they showed a good clip of Glenn from Miami Vice, had great expressions on Crockett and Tubbs' faces. Made us laugh. There was clip from Jerry McGuire, too.

There was footage from a recent concert where Glenn wore the light blue shirt with dark blue or black trim (he wears it in the After Hours trailer), other than that, the most recent footage was from the Eden tour and the suits.

Once again, drank way too much pink champagne. Then a good bit of regular champagne.

Showed bits and pieces of their solo videos and showed Don in those plaid pants I remember thinking Soda would love that.

Someone else mentioned it, but the MTV filming where Don forgot lyrics was really funny. The look on Glenn's face when he realized what the problem was made it funnier. Since it wasn't live, it all worked out, but it was a great segment.

I LOVE the Christchurch concert.:inlove: The boys look good wet :drool:

The mess up on LTBS was classic. I laugh hard every time.:rofl: Don Henley as Jerry Smothers :thud:

VA if you remember the documentary then you didn't drink to much champagne :hug:

Welcome Steve and OutlawmanNJ...I'd love to see those photos

[TimothyBFan]

OutlawManNJ, thanks for posting your story, but it doesn't surprise me & probably doesn't shock anybody around here because most of us have either seen or experienced the wrath of having a camera at an Eagles show. I'm so glad you were fast thinking & gave that goon the wrong film!!! KUDOS to YOU
Heck yeah we wanna see it!!

As for Frey, well his behavior in last nights episode only confirmed my feelings about him & my opinion that he is a bully. To call Felder an Ahole, & to pressure him to sign the contract before the sun goes down or he's out of the F**king band. Well, That said it all to me. He still sounds bitter, angry & immature. That task could have easily been done by Irving, but Glenn seemed to actually take pleasure in making that call.

When Felder signed it, it was under duress, so he questioned it later. If it was his responsibility to know what was in the contract, he barely even had enough time to go over it. Frey was trying to bully him right out of the band, just like he did to Randy. Though Randy officially "quit", he was practically pushed out by Glenn.

These are some of the reasons I can't feel the love some of you have for Glenn. I respect his talent & what he brings to the Eagles, but as a person, I just find him borderline abusive... So there, I've said what I really feel. Yeah, Glenn's not my favorite Eagle!


You and I have had our differences but I have to agree with you on several levels here. To me he came across like that and not only with the whole Felder thing but Bernie and Randy also. He sure didn't seem to have any trouble finding replacements in record times almost as if he had others in mind for the positions already. And the way he described making the phone calls, etc came across that way to me. Hadn't thought about the time frame in any of that till I saw it on the doc.


I Believe you're letting your preferedness for Felder cloud your judgment on Glenn.

As I've stated many times on this board, I'm not a Felder fan but an Eagles fan. I just said this morning that as far as I'm concerned, I'm just as happy with Stu as I ever was with Felder. So that sure can't apply to my opinion or how I feel after seeing this documentary.


Glenn is the leader of the band...so it always seems that he's the one to be the one "with blood on his hands"....that's just part of being the leader...his job is to watch out for what's best for the group...not an easy or always pleasant job...that doesn't make him a bully...just sayin'

A very valid point. Hadn't thought about it like that.

I hate seeing this topic take up so much of this thread also but it seems to me there must be a reason on why it is. It obviously made enough of an impact on many of us that we felt we had to discuss it. The amount of pages that we've discussed this tells me that out of the whole part 2, this made quite an impression on several people, including some new members.

Like I've said, I LOVED this whole doc and plan to watch it several times. The good outweighed that little part of course but that part made me sit up and take notice and really think about it and I'd be lying if I didn't say that even tho I have always and will always love this band, it has made me think a bit differently about Glenn. There, I said it and you can blast me for it if anyone is so inclined but as much as others want to defend his behavior still to this day regarding the way he handled it, I am going to stick to my guns and say it disappointed me.

[VAisForEagleLovers]

When Felder signed it, it was under duress, so he questioned it later. If it was his responsibility to know what was in the contract, he barely even had enough time to go over it. Frey was trying to bully him right out of the band, just like he did to Randy.

I hate taking up more of this thread with this issue, but basic fact checking seems to be called for since the DVD was so confusing on this. Since there were several contracts I'll remind everyone that Glenn's harsh ultimatum was for the one to do HFO/MTV gig (not the Selected Works contract discussed earlier in this thread, later in the movie). Felder was not under 'duress'. He had the contract, the deal was presented to him by Don and Glenn personally. He then took the time to negotiate against his own manager. There were commitments the group made regarding time and Felder didn't sign the contract and he didn't say he wouldn't. It wasn't like they gave him the contract and told him he had five minutes to sign it. His book doesn't say how long he and Irving went back and forth after he got it from Glenn and Don, just that he did. My Kindle says it's page 253. It's unfortunate that the DVD wasn't clear on this, it made it sound like Felder had less than a day to sign the contract and that just wasn't true by Felder's own admission. I also am amazed that Felder doesn't mention the ultimatum in the book.

[zeldabjr]

Timothy does the dishes and goes to the market...what a man!...how come I never see anyone who looks like that at my market???

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Timothy does the dishes and goes to the market...what a man!...how come I never see anyone who looks like that at my market???

I was thinking the same thing :drool:

[VAisForEagleLovers]

wow...really?...let me know!

OK, checked it out, it's at 1:02 into Part 2. Not Sabres. Can't tell what it says, though, but it's not a Sabres insignia. Whew!

[Brooke]

First of all let me just say that I absolutely loved both parts and wish Part 2 would have been 2 hours instead of just 1 hour. There was lots more they could have added. I would have really liked to have seen more from the LROOE era to present.

Also, it was so great getting to FINALLY meet our fearless leader, Nancy! We had a wonderful time watching this together with my husband, B! We also enjoyed numerous glasses of pink champage (actually white zinfandel served the purpose!) and even toasted Part 2 with a couple of Tequila Sunrises! Thanks for coming Nancy! You are an amazing Eagles fan!

Welcome to steve e dee and Outlaw Man! So glad to have you here and hear your opinions and yes, we'd love to see your pics, OM! Good job hanging on to them in that situation! :thumbsup:

The best part of all in part 2, for me, was watching them make Get Over It! How cool was that! It sure didn't look hard for them!

I'm amazed that Joe made it through rehab in one try too. I've read about David Crosby's, Chuck Negron's and Steven Tyler's numerous trips and to come out clean in one try is nothing short of amazing! And for the band to wait for him and believe that he would make it is also pretty cool. What if they had waited on him and he didn't complete it? We wouldn't be here talking about it now!

As for the Frey/Felder issue, all I can say is this is Frey's band. Evidently he and Felder never got along. Big personality clash! For years they tried to make it work. It seems to me that Frey took all he could take and when Felder continued to dig and pick he just blew up and that was it. He was the boss and it was his call. I'm sure he talked it over with Henley and possibly even Joe and Tim, but in the end it was his decision to make. I appreciate that he didn't try to make it all sweet and glossy in this and gave us the truth about how he felt. No, it wasn't pretty, but he didn't leave that out now did he? Yep, it still gives him fits just thinking about it all!

Enough of that, it's water under the bridge. Or is it?

I quote Outlaw Man: " If Felder had a brain, he would stop with the nonsense, end any lawsuits, maybe even reverse a couple in the past, and make an effort every 30-60 days until they crack and give it a try (which they will, because there’s money to be made, and people don’t go to see Steuart Smith…"

OMG, I had not thought of this! This is the only way I could ever see them possibly getting back together. Before this statement I didn't believe it could happen. Now, I'm not so sure! I guess time will tell!

[Brooke]

Btw, I checked and on my Showtime channel they are showing it again today at 4, Tuesday evening and again next Saturday and Sunday evenings! Course, I recorded it, but there ya go! :smile:

[Ive always been a dreamer]

I’ll write more about my thoughts on the film a little later, but I just want to say that Felder’s firing is a controversial topic for sure and as we’ve said many times, people have a right to voice their opinions about it. However, as we always say here, everyone needs to keep in mind that if you state your opinion, others may challenge it so please be prepared for that. There is no reason that we can’t have a civil discussion if everyone keeps in mind that this is an emotionally charged topic when posting. But let’s all remember that none of us are privy to exactly how everything went down, and as has already been stated, there are three sides to every story. Just because you side with one party or the other doesn’t mean the other side is totally evil or wrong. Hey there were no angels here – this is rock and roll. Actually, relatively speaking, it's pretty tame rock and roll when you hear about things that went on in other bands. :thumbsup:

[Topkat]

well said VA and Zelda....
Somepeople around here (I am not naming names casue you guys know who you are) always feel they need to take it up for DF...He was no angel and neither were the others in the group...they all did things..
I am so sorry that certain people have let this thread desisntagrate to "poor DF..yet again.
when I check this thread , I wanna hear about the whole doc umentary not just that one iodia of history that they all share.
can we get back to topic please and not just hightlight df's firing???

You know what, "some people" around here can't admit that the great Glenn Frey has any faults...This isn't even about the DF incident, but of some of the other things Glenn said in the movie, words that came right out of his own mouth..Many, nothing to do with Felder...
Anything said about Glenn, is shot down & passed off as defending DF...Well it's not all about that incident....It was about Bernie, & Randy & other things he said. You know I didn't hear Henley speak badly about anyone last night. He mostly spoke about himself, & his feelings. I can respect that & thought he was getting his points made without badmouthing others in the band.

Oh & can you send Timothy over to do my dishes? I also have a surprise for him!!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

You know what, "some people" around here can't admit that the great Glenn Frey has any faults...
Oh & can you send Timothy over to do my dishes? I also have a surprise for him!!

He has plenty, they all do. I do. Nor do I expect perfection from any of them. For instance, if Timothy were really perfect, he'd be here doing MY dishes...

[VAisForEagleLovers]

To those who wanted screenshots, sorry, it doesn't seem to be possible to watch Showtime on my laptop without paying a lot extra for DirecTV Everywhere or getting something they call a Nomad.

[Topkat]

He has plenty, they all do. I do. Nor do I expect perfection from any of them. For instance, if Timothy were really perfect, he'd be here doing MY dishes...

VA, thank you... See we can still get a laugh over this. No need for us to have bad feelings for each other just because we disagree!
Now, where's Tim?

[TimothyBFan]

He has plenty, they all do. I do. Nor do I expect perfection from any of them. For instance, if Timothy were really perfect, he'd be here doing MY dishes...

:rofl: Timothy is going to be a busy man with the gals on the Border.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

Now speaking for myself, I loved both parts of the documentary, and thought it was a well done, honest look at a great rock and roll band. Although, like Brooke, I have some minor compIaints, especially that Part 2 could have easily been two hours. I also agree that the documentarians didn’t do real justice to the social and cultural impact that this band made. A casual viewer would probably not be left with the impression that this incarnation of the band has actually lasted longer than the first one, although I realize most of their impact was in the 70’s. There were numerous things that could have been expanded on in Part 2 and I felt it kind of ended with a whimper instead of a bang.

I can somewhat understand that some may have been taken aback by Glenn’s comments since this is the first time Glenn has said anything about Felder publicly. But I think it’s important to stress that when Glenn was talking about this, he was recapping the way the conversation with Felder went, not just making a commentary. Like Soda, I didn’t interpret his remarks as being bitter either. He came across to me as blunt and to the point, and, yeah, he used strong, foul language, but I think he is very comfortable with most of the decisions he has made since the resumption, including this one.

To me, he did, in fact, make the right decisions for the band, and after all, that what a good leader has to do. It is a shame that things didn’t work out better with Felder, but in the end, I’m not sure the band would have continued on if all of the conflict had not been resolved. I’ve personally been in a position where I’ve been forced to terminate folks and believe me, it’s not an admirable position to be in. But as harsh as it is, a leader has to do what’s best for the larger entity, not the individual. I think that for better or for worse, Glenn (and Don) always had the best interest of the band in mind. I also think it speaks volumes that all of the other band members seem to be supportive and comfortable with the decision as well. The band seems to be functioning much better now, so as a fan, if the band is happy, then I’m happy too.

[Topkat]

The DVD RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 23rd for all of you interested!

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

The DVD RELEASE DATE IS APRIL 23rd for all of you interested!

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH but i'll never be able to wait that long :thud:

where did u find the date?

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I thought we already knew that? I've already warned the boss that I'll be taking an extended lunch that day. I'm not preordering it, I'll drive until I find one for sale. While I have both recorded, I want to see the bonus 1977 concert footage, because it appears as though there's a lot of shots from the back of a certain musician/singer when he's wearing tight jeans and has no long shirt in the way. I am so completely shallow sometimes....but I'm not waiting on Amazon to be in the mood to deliver it to my house.

[sodascouts]

Back in Memphis after a great time with Brooke and her hubby watching the doc! First thing I did when I got back home was find it "on demand" and order it so I could watch it again.

I see a lot of points in the last few pages that I'd like to address. I knew the documentary would bring up controversy and I was prepared for it. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions as long as they do so in a way that is respectful of others.

However, for now, I'll just address something written by Topkat that I feel needs to be countered:


These are some of the reasons I can't feel the love some of you have for Glenn. I respect his talent & what he brings to the Eagles, but as a person, I just find him borderline abusive

That's a strong statement and I think it's grossly unfair.

I'm not pretending I know Glenn intimately or anything, but I can testify that he is very kind, generous, and sweet to fans above and beyond anything else I've ever seen or experienced. Heck, the reason he got so mad at Randy was because Randy was letting down fans by refusing to sing "Take It to the Limit." Additionally, although it's not publicized because he's a "quiet giver", he donates consistently to children's charities and youth programs. He has helped out countless people. He's a loving husband and father who's been married to the same woman for over 20 years - no mean feat in Hollywood. It's not fair to take some isolated, highly charged incidents and make a sweeping condemnation of the man. For every "abusive" thing you can name, I can name another where he has shown that he has a big heart. No, he's not a saint, but when all is said and done, he's a good man.

[Ive always been a dreamer]

That's a strong statement and I think it's grossly unfair.
I'm not pretending I know Glenn intimately or anything, but I can testify that he is very kind, generous, and sweet to fans above and beyond anything I've ever seen or experienced. Heck, the reason he got so mad at Randy was because Randy was letting down fans by refusing to sing "Take It to the Limit." Additionally, although it's not publicized because he's a "quiet giver", he donates consistently to children's charities and youth programs. He has helped out countless people. He's a loving husband and father who's been married to the same woman for over 20 years - no mean feat in Hollywood. It's not fair to take some isolated, highly charged incidents and make a sweeping condemnation of the man. For every "abusive" thing you can name, I can name another where he has shown that he has a big heart. No, he's not a saint, but when all is said and done, he's a good man.

And from personal experience, I can give a HUGE AMEN to all of that!!!

[VAisForEagleLovers]

I'm not pretending I know Glenn intimately or anything, but I can testify that he is very kind, generous, and sweet to fans above and beyond anything I've ever seen or experienced. Heck, the reason he got so mad at Randy was because Randy was letting down fans by refusing to sing "Take It to the Limit." Additionally, although it's not publicized because he's a "quiet giver", he donates consistently to children's charities and youth programs. He has helped out countless people. He's a loving husband and father who's been married to the same woman for over 20 years - no mean feat in Hollywood. It's not fair to take some isolated, highly charged incidents and make a sweeping condemnation of the man. For every "abusive" thing you can name, I can name another where he has shown that he has a big heart. No, he's not a saint, but when all is said and done, he's a good man.

Very well said, Soda. I had missed the 'as a person' part before. I agree wholeheartedly.

[Brooke]

....but I'm not waiting on Amazon to be in the mood to deliver it to my house.

Me either! I will be going to town to find it!

[Tiffanny Twisted]

I thought we already knew that? I've already warned the boss that I'll be taking an extended lunch that day. I'm not preordering it, I'll drive until I find one for sale. While I have both recorded, I want to see the bonus 1977 concert footage, because it appears as though there's a lot of shots from the back of a certain musician/singer when he's wearing tight jeans and has no long shirt in the way. I am so completely shallow sometimes....but I'm not waiting on Amazon to be in the mood to deliver it to my house.

i second that...hubba hubba:drool:

[Topkat]

Back in Memphis after a great time with Brooke and her hubby watching the doc! First thing I did when I got back home was find it "on demand" and order it so I could watch it again.

I see a lot of points in the last few pages that I'd like to address. I knew the documentary would bring up controversy and I was prepared for it. Everyone has the right to voice their opinions as long as they do so in a way that is respectful of others.

However, for now, I'll just address something written by Topkat that I feel needs to be countered:

These are some of the reasons I can't feel the love some of you have for Glenn. I respect his talent & what he brings to the Eagles, but as a person, I just find him borderline abusive


That's a strong statement and I think it's grossly unfair.

I'm not pretending I know Glenn intimately or anything, but I can testify that he is very kind, generous, and sweet to fans above and beyond anything I've ever seen or experienced. Heck, the reason he got so mad at Randy was because Randy was letting down fans by refusing to sing "Take It to the Limit." Additionally, although it's not publicized because he's a "quiet giver", he donates consistently to children's charities and youth programs. He has helped out countless people. He's a loving husband and father who's been married to the same woman for over 20 years - no mean feat in Hollywood. It's not fair to take some isolated, highly charged incidents and make a sweeping condemnation of the man. For every "abusive" thing you can name, I can name another where he has shown that he has a big heart. No, he's not a saint, but when all is said and done, he's a good man.

Soda, you know I adore you & I'm glad you enjoyed the movie with Brooke, but I saw a side of Glenn in this that I have only heard & read about before.

There are lots of stories out there,of how Glenn treated some of the people who worked for him, as roadies, & others, the arguments, fights, etc. When I called him borderline abusive, I mostly meant verbal abuse, not physical, but that too is questionable to me. Yes, I'm sure he's very nice to his fans, & does some good in this world, but his personality has rubbed me the wrong way for a very long time.

If you have to fire someone, as bosses always do, there are ways to do it with some respect & dignity & let the person know that things aren't working out & it's the end of the road....Glenn's way was to make the person as miserable as possible until they couldn't take it anymore & quit. That is how he handled it with both Randy & Bernie. He almost came to blows with Randy over him not wanting to sing TITTL, so because it was for the fans, that justifies it??? Not to me.

Look; you've read the books, heard the stories, I just now find them more believable. I don't really give a crap what he donates to charity or about his marriage. He should donate to charity, he has millions, & yes he should be decent to his wife & kids, that is just normal..

If Glenn is not my favorite, that shouldn't bother anyone here. It's my personal opinion.. What I think of him doesn't really matter. Like I said, I can respect his talent, but as a person I don't really care for him. It's simple as that.

Wait, didn't I have a hot dream about him awhile back????Ummm, yeah I did

[Glennsallnighter]

I'm not pretending I know Glenn intimately or anything, but I can testify that he is very kind, generous, and sweet to fans above and beyond anything else I've ever seen or experienced. Heck, the reason he got so mad at Randy was because Randy was letting down fans by refusing to sing "Take It to the Limit." Additionally, although it's not publicized because he's a "quiet giver", he donates consistently to children's charities and youth programs. He has helped out countless people. He's a loving husband and father who's been married to the same woman for over 20 years - no mean feat in Hollywood. It's not fair to take some isolated, highly charged incidents and make a sweeping condemnation of the man. For every "abusive" thing you can name, I can name another where he has shown that he has a big heart. No, he's not a saint, but when all is said and done, he's a good man.

From what you have posted in various threads and also what you have said to me when we have met I would agree with absolutely everything. Also while I have never met him personally and would never pretend to have, the way he treated me in Niagara Falls at his first gig would be living proof of his big heart. He could have reacted to me in any of an number of ways, and the way he did (and also that he acknowleged me the second night) was as good as it could be and was a dream come true for me!

Lauras birthday is April 24th. Looks like Mummy will be getting a birthday present too!

[Tiffanny Twisted]

ga yeah momma

[VAisForEagleLovers]

If Glenn is not my favorite, that shouldn't bother anyone here. It's my personal opinion.. What I think of him doesn't really matter. Like I said, I can respect his talent, but as a person I don't really care for him. It's simple as that.

It doesn't bother me that he's not your favorite. It shouldn't bother you that Felder's not my favorite or that Glenn is my favorite. Every time I open this thread I get to read it again and again. So I'll stop coming in to the thread.

[zeldabjr]

Me either! I will be going to town to find it!

oh yeah...can't do the Amazon waiting thing again!!!

[sodascouts]

I usually preorder so I don't have to remember when the release date is, but this time, I think I'll go out and get it as well. Amazon is inevitably slow.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

Hi all I enjoyed part 2 though parts of it were hard to see. The beginning was awesome with the HFO press conference. I liked how they cut clips in, it was so cool.

I loved watching Joe's journey back and how all the members helped support him through it. :hug:

I also liked watching them collaborate and create some of the songs and the old version of How Long.


:band:

PS I loved the Stevie cameo :steviesmack: I wish there was more.



I was just wondering if anyone else thought the beginning of part 2 was just awesome. I just watched it again and I love how they used HFO Q & A session and then integrated clips. When Irving said they wouldn't make as much money in Europe and both DH and GF jumped up hitting the table and pretending to leave. It was so fun; I love it when people don't take themselves to seriously. :hug:

Please any comments on the cool beginning :pray:

PS I'll be happy to check DH for any rust :evil:

[Witchy Woman]

It doesn't bother me that he's not your favorite. It shouldn't bother you that Felder's not my favorite or that Glenn is my favorite. Every time I open this thread I get to read it again and again. So I'll stop coming in to the thread.

Personally, I see no reason for anyone to feel that they shouldn't state their opinions, or read and comment on others, as long as it's respectful. Who cares about favorites ? As I've stated previously, there are 3 sides to every story. We'll never know what truly happened. Felder was fired, and I'm sure there's blame to be had from all angles. I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments, whether I agree with some of them or not. Either way, we should be celebrating a terrific documentary, not tearing each other apart over petty things.

[sodascouts]

Yeah, the favorites thing can get intense. It's hard to hear people rag on your favorite and not want to speak up for him. If one finds oneself getting really worked up and emotional, perhaps it is best to step away.

I, however, plan on staying around. ;)

And for the record, I don't like to hear people ragging on ANY of the Eagles unfairly, not just Glenn.

[Topkat]

I liked the opening of part 2, but part 2 should have been a full 2 hours. I just feel there was much left out, but when I heard Desperado, I knew it was about to end...exactly the same as it does at a concert.

One thing that kind of bothered me was when they showed the shots of the audience clapping...they never seemed to be clapping to the beat of the song that was playing at that time. It was like they just took some footage of audience clapping & stuck it in there. They were never on the beat.

I think my favorite part of part 2 was when they showed them writing & putting the song together. That was interesting. Also I liked Joe's recovery story. It wasn't too dramatic, but it seemed real to me. Joe looks so much better now than he did then. Wow what a drastic change. I guess we hadn't really seen him during the 14 year vacation.
Also nice to see his daughter there, I guess that was Lucy & there were also small glimpses of Tim's wife & daughter, talking to Felder & I think his son.

[sodascouts]

I was just wondering if anyone else thought the beginning of part 2 was just awesome. I just watched it again and I love how they used HFO Q & A session and then integrated clips. When Irving said they wouldn't make as much money in Europe and both DH and GF jumped up hitting the table and pretending to leave. It was so fun; I love it when people don't take themselves to seriously. :hug:

Please any comments on the cool beginning :pray:

PS I'll be happy to check DH for any rust :evil:

At first I wasn't sure about the opening of the second half, but eventually they made it work. I actually thought the comment from Azoff about how touring Europe wasn't lucrative was a bit tacky, but when Glenn and Don H pretended to get up, it did make me laugh!

[Witchy Woman]

Yeah, the favorites thing can get intense. It's hard to hear people rag on your favorite and not want to speak up for him. If one finds oneself getting really worked up and emotional, perhaps it is best to step away.

I, however, plan on staying around. ;)

And for the record, I don't like to hear people ragging on ANY of the Eagles unfairly, not just Glenn.

I hear you. It's no secret Don H. is my favorite, and there have been some nasty things said about him. But, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I'm sure some of it is true. He's certainly no saint. I take it with a grain of salt. He's a big boy and he doesn't need my help.

[RebeccaLovesEagles]

I liked the opening of part 2, but part 2 should have been a full 2 hours. I just feel there was much left out, but when I heard Desperado, I knew it was about to end...exactly the same as it does at a concert.

One thing that kind of bothered me was when they showed the shots of the audience clapping...they never seemed to be clapping to the beat of the song that was playing at that time. It was like they just took some footage of audience clapping & stuck it in there. They were never on the beat.

I think my favorite part of part 2 was when they showed them writing & putting the song together. That was interesting. Also I liked Joe's recovery story. It wasn't too dramatic, but it seemed real to me. Joe looks so much better now than he did then. Wow what a drastic change. I guess we hadn't really seen him during the 14 year vacation.
Also nice to see his daughter there, I guess that was Lucy & there were also small glimpses of Tim's wife & daughter, talking to Felder & I think his son.

I wish it was 2 hrs :) I loved the inside glimpse of the families too. I wish they always wouldn't end with Desperado they need to end with Doolin Daltons/Desperado Reprise :pray: I love that song and as long as Desperado is the last song its never going to happen. Oh Well a girl can hope :grooving:

BTW it must be my kind of audience, I stink at staying with the beat. LOL

Soda I was actually surprised the reporter asked the question. Don't they know its bad manners to talk about money :shrug: At least the band made the most of it by making it funny.

[OutlawManNJ]

I know I'm new hear but Im not a new Eagle fan, have been so for quite a while. As mentioned earlier saw them live in 94.

Just some random thoughts about the film and other stuff:

- It did bug me a bit the misplaced photos in the film at times. Like someone mentioned, they would show a photo from 78 while talking about 72. That was distracting and I would catch myself thinking about that instead of paying attention to what they were saying in the seconds follwing them showing an out of date photo.

- I cracked up at the audio of Frey saying "I cant wait...to kick your ass". I just thought it was too funny that they had that on Tape...that was great even if it was an ugly moment. Having that on tape was priceless.

- The only footage of the 70s I knew of of the eagles until this film was mostly the grainy, bad quality video of them doing Hotel California live....so when I saw the restored film of the DC concert that was amazing.

- Speaking of which, why not release that concert in full on DVD? I wonder if they filmed the whole thing?

- I didnt like when they skipped the cover details on On The Border and One of these nights, especially since they talked about that for the debut album and Desperado..and then also HC and LR.

- I did love the desert footage and the details about the photography of those early years.

- Part 2 was good, but me personally Im not a fan of the Road to Eden album. I barely consider that an Eagles album. Just never liked it and sounded too country/vocal with little punch. Maybe Felder was missing? But I will say that the film did make me want to give it another listen. Not sure what this forums take is on the Eden album, if mostly positive or not.

- Truth is we dont know exactly what happened day to day w the Eagles. They were together for 9 years so lots happenes that doesnt make the books or films....but but but...Frey's verbal attacks on Felder and demands to make more $ than the rest in the film does somewhat confirm much of what was said and written about Frey. Like someone here posted...if Frey wanted to be fair and divvy up the money, then quite frankly Frey should have gotte 10-20% less that Henley. But to me that was all silly. How many gazzilions of dollars does one need? As far as Im concerned without Felder, the Eagles as we know it would not be The Eagles as we know it. Without Felder Hotel California wouldnt exist and that song is a unique Eagle song to the point that hen you hear it it doesnt even sound like an Eagle song. That song historically made the Eagles the Classic Rock band that they are. And Felder should have been happy to be Freys "paid monkey"? Again, because of Hotel California Felder should have been an equal part.

- Not to pick on Frey, but his interviews almost seemed a little rehearsed no? Like when he says "Lets start from the begining". I dont think that was natural. I think it was scripted to literally get the film started. No biggie, but I thought that as soon as he said it.

- Just wondering, if Leadon had stayed and Walsh hadn't entered the band...how different would the Hotel California album have been? The song probably would still have existed since it was a Felder creation (with Frey Henley lyrics) but Life in the fast lane for sure wouldnt have existed.

- Speaking of Walsh he was the best character of the film. He seems very kind and kinda like "I dont care what Don and Glenn do, Im just happy to be here". He is just enjoying the ride. I creacked up in the old footage when Glenn asked him a question on the couch.

- Thought ot was funny when Felder in the 70s was saying how they looked so young 4 years prior...and mentioned presidents aging. Funny how in our 20s we think we are so old (and wise) by the time we are in out late 20's. LOL.

[Shadowland07]

I know I'm new hear but Im not a new Eagle fan, have been so for quite a while. As mentioned earlier saw them live in 94.

Just some random thoughts about the film and other stuff:

- It did bug me a bit the misplaced photos in the film at times. Like someone mentioned, they would show a photo from 78 while talking about 72. That was distracting and I would catch myself thinking about that instead of paying attention to what they were saying in the seconds follwing them showing an out of date photo.

- I cracked up at the audio of Frey saying "I cant wait...to kick your ass". I just thought it was too funny that they had that on Tape...that was great even if it was an ugly moment. Having that on tape was priceless.

- The only footage of the 70s I knew of of the eagles until this film was mostly the grainy, bad quality video of them doing Hotel California live....so when I saw the restored film of the DC concert that was amazing.

- Speaking of which, why not release that concert in full on DVD? I wonder if they filmed the whole thing?

- I didnt like when they skipped the cover details on On The Border and One of these nights, especially since they talked about that for the debut album and Desperado..and then also HC and LR.

- I did love the desert footage and the details about the photography of those early years.

- Part 2 was good, but me personally Im not a fan of the Road to Eden album. I barely consider that an Eagles album. Just never liked it and sounded too country/vocal with little punch. Maybe Felder was missing? But I will say that the film did make me want to give it another listen. Not sure what this forums take is on the Eden album, if mostly positive or not.

- Truth is we dont know exactly what happened day to day w the Eagles. They were together for 9 years so lots happenes that doesnt make the books or films....but but but...Frey's verbal attacks on Felder and demands to make more $ than the rest in the film does somewhat confirm much of what was said and written about Frey. Like someone here posted...if Frey wanted to be fair and divvy up the money, then quite frankly Frey should have gotte 10-20% less that Henley. But to me that was all silly. How many gazzilions of dollars does one need? As far as Im concerned without Felder, the Eagles as we know it would not be The Eagles as we know it. Without Felder Hotel California wouldnt exist and that song is a unique Eagle song to the point that hen you hear it it doesnt even sound like an Eagle song. That song historically made the Eagles the Classic Rock band that they are. And Felder should have been happy to be Freys "paid monkey"? Again, because of Hotel California Felder should have been an equal part.

- Not to pick on Frey, but his interviews almost seemed a little rehearsed no? Like when he says "Lets start from the begining". I dont think that was natural. I think it was scripted to literally get the film started. No biggie, but I thought that as soon as he said it.

- Just wondering, if Leadon had stayed and Walsh hadn't entered the band...how different would the Hotel California album have been? The song probably would still have existed since it was a Felder creation (with Frey Henley lyrics) but Life in the fast lane for sure wouldnt have existed.

- Speaking of Walsh he was the best character of the film. He seems very kind and kinda like "I dont care what Don and Glenn do, Im just happy to be here". He is just enjoying the ride. I creacked up in the old footage when Glenn asked him a question on the couch.

- Thought ot was funny when Felder in the 70s was saying how they looked so young 4 years prior...and mentioned presidents aging. Funny how in our 20s we think we are so old (and wise) by the time we are in out late 20's. LOL.


So because of 1 song Felder should have been an equal!? Hahaha yeah right. "Hotel California" is an overrated song, the Eagles have better songs than it. Oh yeah, they do have other songs.

[OutlawManNJ]

So because of 1 song Felder should have been an equal!? Hahaha yeah right. "Hotel California" is an overrated song, the Eagles have better songs than it. Oh yeah, they do have other songs.

I dont think its overated at all. But one fact is its THE EAGLES song that is most known of all worldwide and the only of them that has ever been voted #1 classic rock song of all time. Without HC the Eagles wouldnt be as infamous as they are. Thats a fact.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

Personally, I see no reason for anyone to feel that they shouldn't state their opinions, or read and comment on others, as long as it's respectful. Who cares about favorites ? As I've stated previously, there are 3 sides to every story. We'll never know what truly happened. Felder was fired, and I'm sure there's blame to be had from all angles. I've enjoyed reading everyone's comments, whether I agree with some of them or not. Either way, we should be celebrating a terrific documentary, not tearing each other apart over petty things.
well said

[Grey Sadler]

I'll reiterate what I said in another thread...applies to my students...everyone in this band...and everyone on this board. "I love everybody. I don't always love the things you do." I know we're not always going to agree. I hope we can stay constructive and objective.

Quoting myself again: There were no saints in this band and there will never be. Not even my two obvious favorites (who are a prime example of two wrongs don't make a right). The band history is what it is...and was apparently explained somewhat in this documentary (and I can't wait to see it!!!!) It was presented as a "warts and all" offering, and I believe that is what I will see sometime in April.

May I also quote a character from Raising Arizona: "There's what's right...and there's what's right...and never the twain shall meet"...does that make sense?

[Shadowland07]

Not true. They were on their way there with the One of These Nights album. If Bernie hadn't left who knows what would've happened. In all honesty some of you have been giving Felder more credit than he deserves. They were still amazing before "Hotel California". I'm sure they would've been ok without it.

[EagleLady]

Im sorry but I cannot agree with Hotel California being Overrated.

[Tiffanny Twisted]

I think JMO that the sum of all the parts(rm, bl, gf, dh tbs, jw and df) made that band what it is....No one is more important than another..Think of it...if they were they would have all gone on to seperate sucessful solo careers and never came back together as "the Eagles"
jmo:band:

[OutlawManNJ]

So has Henley or Frey ever mentioned writing a Biography?

It amazes me at how little has been ritten about the band and the players. Nobody has eve written an unauthorized biography of Henley...which would sell. And it took only 40 years for a documentary to be made.

So any word on if one of them will ever write a Biography (besides Felder of course which was smart in doing his).

[AftertheThrill]

So has Henley or Frey ever mentioned writing a Biography?

It amazes me at how little has been ritten about the band and the players. Nobody has eve written an unauthorized biography of Henley...which would sell. And it took only 40 years for a documentary to be made.

So any word on if one of them will ever write a Biography (besides Felder of course which was smart in doing his).


Both of them have mentioned writing a biography in recent interviews.

[Shadowland07]

So has Henley or Frey ever mentioned writing a Biography?

It amazes me at how little has been ritten about the band and the players. Nobody has eve written an unauthorized biography of Henley...which would sell. And it took only 40 years for a documentary to be made.

So any word on if one of them will ever write a Biography (besides Felder of course which was smart in doing his).

I think both of them are. Work in progress lol.

[Topkat]

Originally Posted by Shadowland07

So because of 1 song Felder should have been an equal!? Hahaha yeah right. "Hotel California" is an overrated song, the Eagles have better songs than it. Oh yeah, they do have other songs.


I dont think its overated at all. But one fact is its THE EAGLES song that is most known of all worldwide and the only of them that has ever been voted #1 classic rock song of all time. Without HC the Eagles wouldnt be as infamous as they are. Thats a fact.

The Eagles have no better song than Hotel Caliornia. Yes, Felder does deserve to be an equal & not only because of HC, but as a member of the band...Why is one band member more important than another? That only happens in Eagleland.... Other bands don't operate that way.

HC is THE DEFINING SONG of the Eagles & they would not be where they are today without it. NO WAY...

[Shadowland07]

As a member of the band yes of course he is an equal.

[EagleLady]

Originally Posted by Shadowland07




The Eagles have no better song than Hotel Caliornia. Yes, Felder does deserve to be an equal & not only because of HC, but as a member of the band...Why is one band member more important than another? That only happens in Eagleland.... Other bands don't operate that way.

HC is THE DEFINING SONG of the Eagles & they would not be where they are today without it. NO WAY...


What about Lyin Eyes, Life in The Fast Lane, Take it to the Limit, All songs just as good as Hotel California.

[sodascouts]

My personal fave is Take It to the Limit.

You can play the "What If" game all you want, but one thing is certain: the Eagles could not continue with the tensions between Frey and Felder, and therefore, the exit of Felder in 2001 was necessary for the continuance of the band. If it's between the Eagles without Felder and no Eagles at all, I'll take the former choice.

[zeldabjr]

My personal fave is TITTL.

You can play the "What If" game all you want, but one thing is certain: the Eagles could not continue with the tensions between Frey and Felder, and therefore, the exit of Felder in 2001 was necessary for the continuance of the band. If it's between the Eagles without Felder and no Eagles at all, I'll take the former choice.

it has to be whatever is best for the band..period...

[zeldabjr]

Im sorry but I cannot agree with Hotel California being Overrated.

agree totally!...

[OutlawManNJ]

What about Lyin Eyes, Life in The Fast Lane, Take it to the Limit, All songs just as good as Hotel California.


Those are great songs indeed. But to compare, Hotel California is to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody what Lyin Eyes is to Queens crazy little thing called love.

HC and BR are Top Shelf Rock Classic MASTERPIECE....thats the word I was looking for Hotel California is a MASTERPIECE, which is different than being a Great Song like the other ones.

[Shadowland07]

I'm just going to apologize for starting another argument. I didnt mean to. I'm sorry we all have our opinions but maybe I should've kept mine to myself as to not stir up feelings again, so sorry.

[WalshFan88]

If it's between the Eagles without Felder and no Eagles at all, I'll take the former choice.

I would pick the former as well.

That still doesn't change the fact that I am disgusted with the whole deal, but I love the band as a whole and always will no matter who (band member-wise) pisses me off.

[Prettymaid]

Whew! My eyes are crossed trying to keep up with this thread! As someone who does not get Showtime, I was anxious to come here and read your reviews. I can't wait to get the DVD in April and watch for myself. Sounds like Part 2 was a little controversial. ;-)

[sodascouts]

While there were a few things I would have done differently, overall, I really enjoyed the documentary. I'm very glad they made it so that we could see rare photos and rare footage, as well as hear so many interesting interviews. What a treat!!!

[TimothyBFan]

A release date!!!! :partytime: I'm with the rest of you in the fact I get so tired of waiting for Amazon with their pre-order so I don't know if I want to do that this time since I have seen it already or try to get it when it is released on that day. Hmmmmm.... Will have to think on that.

I love all the discussion on the subject and I think we've been pretty civilized and nobody's been unfair, etc... But like I said before--it always amazes me how all of us can be fans of the same band, see the same information and interpret it 2 totally different ways. Such is human behavior. And for me it's not about defending my favorite Eagle and lack of lead vocals, equal pay, etc... if that were the case, I'd be here all day trying to do that. :hilarious:

For the record--I actually get the whole Don & Glenn making more money and running the show and have no problem with that. I think it was Don that said you can't have a band with 5 leaders. That's not what bothered me (and I don't know if bothered is even the right word) I wasn't shocked by the language or what was said so much as how it was said, if that makes sense. It makes me sad to think that people can carry that much anger around after so many years. I've been guilty of that in the past but have honestly tried to NOT let things do that to me anymore. I've learned life is just too short to let anger eat away at me. Not always an easy task, but sometimes you just have to move on.

I loved the way Part 2 started also and hubby and I both cracked up when Irving made a comment about the money and Don and Glenn said "it's not?" and got up to leave. Gotta love the spontaneity and it makes me so happy when I see glimpse of their humor like that.

I do wish we could of heard a bit more about the families, etc... I felt for Don when he was talking about Sharon having to travel for that lawsuit with her MS. Loved the fact that Timothy does household chores. :thumbsup: Those little tidbits really puts them in perspective as humans and not the Rock Gods I have made them in my mind.

Joe's honesty about hitting rock bottom and his efforts to get sober where very heartfelt and gave me even more respect for him than I already had. Like someone here said earlier, to go into rehab and get straight only 1 time is amazing. It usually takes a lot more attempts than that. I give credit to the other Eagles and the music for doing that. Music can be a powerful drug.

[Brooke]

Overall I absolutely loved it! I can't wait to get the dvd. It just left me wanting more!

And yes, isn't there also supposed to be an extra dvd of a partial 70's concert with something like 8 songs? :pray:

[Houston Debutante]

I'm going to make one very brief comment for thought around here. Something that occurred to me last night.
In all Glenn's arguments that he & Henley deserved more money, I'm going to compare this to the BEATLES. Here Lennon & McCartney did MOST of the songwriting & lead vocals, but did that make Harrison & Ringo LESS of a BEATLE? Did they earn LESS money? I don't think so??? I'm just saying that a band needs all the players, yes some of them can be replaced.... but it's not the same...Would the Beatles still have the same impact if they replaced George Harrison? or Ringo? I don't know, but I'm just saying that Felder was a part of this band, & it IS different without him.


I'm a Beatles fans and I can tell you that Ringo ~ who wasn't an original Beatle by the way ~ does make way less money and Paul has sometimes made biting comments about him not being as important and Ringo said something like "He thinks he's the only remaining Beatle." John and Paul fought over money and who was more important and there were definitely hard feelings. Have you listened to the song How Do You Sleep? Their fueding at the end was infamous.

You sound like you think the Eagles are the only band who has fights over money and who is the most talented or important!

I think Don Henley and Glenn did deserve more but even if you don't think that, you need to get your facts straight when you make comparisons to other bands. If you don't know something, look it up. We have Google. It's not hard.

[Topkat]

I'm a Beatles fans and I can tell you that Ringo ~ who wasn't an original Beatle by the way ~ does make way less money and Paul has sometimes made biting comments about him not being as important and Ringo said something like "He thinks he's the only remaining Beatle." John and Paul fought over money and who was more important and there were definitely hard feelings. Have you listened to the song How Do You Sleep? Their fueding at the end was infamous.

You sound like you think the Eagles are the only band who has fights over money and who is the most talented or important!

I think Don Henley and Glenn did deserve more but even if you don't think that, you need to get your facts straight when you make comparisons to other bands. If you don't know something, look it up. We have Google. It's not hard.
I'm no expert on the Beatles, I'll admit that, but I doubt that all the financial information is out there on them. How do you know that Ringo made way less money? I never heard that one. Lennon/McCartney probably get more in songwriting royalties. It's way too complicated for us to get into anyway
I'm not going to get into the entire history of the Beatles, but Ringo became a Beatle before they became famous. Their manager wanted a better drummer before signing & recording them. Yes, I'm sure the Beatles had fights over money. I guess maybe every band does, but the Beatles really only lasted for 7 years as a band, so yes, obviously there were arguements & the Eagles thing is also very complex & only the lawyers & managers know for sure what really goes on.
Everything you read on the internet or look up with Google is not necessarily always 100% truth. As with the Eagles, there are also several different accounts of what happened with them. You have to be an entertainment lawyer to figure it all out,& even then it depends on who's giving the information.

I guess my original point with that comparison, was that once the Beatles became famous, nobody got fired.

[Houston Debutante]

I'm no expert on the Beatles, I'll admit that, but I doubt that all the financial information is out there on them. How do you know that Ringo made way less money? I never heard that one. Lennon/McCartney probably get more in songwriting royalties. It's way too complicated for us to get into anyway
I'm not going to get into the entire history of the Beatles, but Ringo became a Beatle before they became famous. Their manager wanted a better drummer before signing & recording them. Yes, I'm sure the Beatles had fights over money. I guess maybe every band does, but the Beatles really only lasted for 7 years as a band, so yes, obviously there were arguements & the Eagles thing is also very complex & only the lawyers & managers know for sure what really goes on.
Everything you read on the internet or look up with Google is not necessarily always 100% truth. As with the Eagles, there are also several different accounts of what happened with them. You have to be an entertainment lawyer to figure it all out,& even then it depends on who's giving the information.

I guess my original point with that comparison, was that once the Beatles became famous, nobody got fired.

Nobody got fired from the Beatles at the end because the band broke up. Nobody got fired from the Eagles in 1980 either because the Eagles broke up. Is that somehow better? Like WalshFan88 and sodascouts I'd rather have the band without Felder than nothing.

If you don't believe the information I gave you about the Beatles than GO LOOK IT UP and see for yourself.

Glenn could have been more professional in the way he treated Felder but this is a rock band, not an accounting firm.

And was he really all that terrible? Many, many rock bands end on uglier notes. I'm also a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, and band leader Billy Corgan fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin over a fight about money. As for another former bandmate, guitarist James Iha ~ Corgan called him "a piece of s—” and "one of the worst human beings I’ve ever met in my life."

As far as I know Glenn Frey has never talked about the firing of Felder until now, in the documentary, when he is specifically asked about it, and some people are all over him for it as if he cussed out Felder for 10 minutes and ripped him a new one when all he did was recount a phone conversation from 1994 where he told Felder's lawyer ~ not even Felder directly ~ that Felder was an asshole.

I can see why people would think Glenn and Don Henley were being greedy but saying Glenn is 'abusive' is away OTT, IMHO.

I don't have any investment in defending Glenn but a lot of this just seems an overreaction to me. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of a lot of bands and I've seen a lot worse.

[Shadowland07]

Actually the Beatles lasted 10 years and were pretty well known before Ringo joined. Pete Best was fired while they were well known and that caused a stir among fans to the point where a fan actually punched George in one of the tunnels of The Cavern. As far as money Geore and Ringo made less than John and Paul due to the songwriting royalties and then with the producing royalties they got when they started Apple and they did their own thing producing albums for their artists (Bad Finger, Jackie Lomax, James Taylor, etc).

[Topkat]

Actually the Beatles lasted 10 years and were pretty well known before Ringo joined. Pete Best was fired while they were well known and that caused a stir among fans to the point where a fan actually punched George in one of the tunnels of The Cavern. As far as money Geore and Ringo made less than John and Paul due to the songwriting royalties and then with the producing royalties they got when they started Apple and they did their own thing producing albums for their artists (Bad Finger, Jackie Lomax, James Taylor, etc).

Ok, I just looked up the whole Best story & he was in the group from Aug 1960- Aug 1962, but was let go because the EMI producer, George Martin & engineers thought he wasn't good enough to record with them. So although they appeared in clubs in England, they had not yet recorded anything. Originally called the Quarrymen, the name was changed to the Beatles. They were known in the clubs, but the real fame didn't come until later. If Best was fired before the recording, I don't think he was under the recording contract the Beatles had.
Anyway, this has gotten way off the track, so lets get back to the Eagles & the dvd.
Sorry about any mistaken information.

[Houston Debutante]

If you have to fire someone, as bosses always do, there are ways to do it with some respect & dignity & let the person know that things aren't working out & it's the end of the road....Glenn's way was to make the person as miserable as possible until they couldn't take it anymore & quit. That is how he handled it with both Randy & Bernie.

That's not why Bernie and Randy said they quit. Do you know something they don't know?

Don Henley supported Glenn as well. Why would he support Glenn if Glenn was being so awful?


Look; you've read the books, heard the stories, I just now find them more believable.

I haven't heard any of these stories except the ones from Felder's book. Are those what you're talking about?

[Houston Debutante]

Truth is we dont know exactly what happened day to day w the Eagles. They were together for 9 years so lots happenes that doesnt make the books or films....but but but...Frey's verbal attacks on Felder and demands to make more $ than the rest in the film does somewhat confirm much of what was said and written about Frey. Like someone here posted...if Frey wanted to be fair and divvy up the money, then quite frankly Frey should have gotte 10-20% less that Henley. But to me that was all silly. How many gazzilions of dollars does one need? As far as Im concerned without Felder, the Eagles as we know it would not be The Eagles as we know it. Without Felder Hotel California wouldnt exist and that song is a unique Eagle song to the point that hen you hear it it doesnt even sound like an Eagle song. That song historically made the Eagles the Classic Rock band that they are. And Felder should have been happy to be Freys "paid monkey"? Again, because of Hotel California Felder should have been an equal part.

I'm not as big a fan of the song Hotel California as you are, I do think it's cool, but I largely like it because of its lyrics rather than the guitar parts although I like that too. The Eagles had hits before that though.

You make a good point about the money when it comes to Don Henley and Glenn and their relative earnings. Glenn should have gotten a smaller percentile than Don Henley if they were just going by who was most successful in the eighties.

Maybe that would have been too hard to figure out a number for that though, with Don Henley and Glenn it was a matter of degree because they both had hits, it's just Don Henley had more. Don Felder, Tim, and Joe all had zero hits in the eighties so it wasn't hard to determine how much less they should get.

[OutlawManNJ]

I'm not as big a fan of the song Hotel California as you are, I do think it's cool, but I largely like it because of its lyrics rather than the guitar parts although I like that too. The Eagles had hits before that though.

.

I have to reinforce what I said before. Yes the Eagles had other hits, but Hotel California isnt just another hit, it is known as a Masterpiece. Thats the difference (and a big one) and thats why Felder is especially important. In all honesty they could churn out similiar sounding songs like Tequila Sunrise, Peacefull easy feeling and Best of my love all day long (and a I love all those songs!)...but everything came together in the song Hotel California. Its unique, its a masterpiece.

Had I written a bands "Mona Lisa" I would want more respect than "Sign this by Sunrise or Adios" that Frey gave him.

[Topkat]

Quote from Houston Debutante


I haven't heard any of these stories except the ones from Felder's book. Are those what you're talking about?

I'm not even talking about Felder's book. I'm talking about "To the Limit".
I read it about 2 years ago, so I can't quote anything specific, but there are a lot of things that have been reported by people who were on the tours, or part of the crew, & others of how Glenn treated some people, which was not very nice.
I'm just going to say that he was probably using cocaine at the time, but it didn't bring out the best in him.
The drug use mentioned in the movie was pretty minimal compared to what it was. They do admit to it, but the way people act on drugs is another story. Cocaine can change your personality & I do think Glenn was a victim of that where it made him argumentative, and arrogant. It may not be his true self, but back then he was different.
He seems like a different person now, older, wiser, nicer & drug free which is why many people have a hard time with some of the things from the past.

[Glennhoney]

Originally Posted by Shadowland07




The Eagles have no better song than Hotel Caliornia. Yes, Felder does deserve to be an equal & not only because of HC, but as a member of the band...Why is one band member more important than another? That only happens in Eagleland.... Other bands don't operate that way.

HC is THE DEFINING SONG of the Eagles & they would not be where they are today without it. NO WAY...
....


...hahahaha...``other bands don`t operate that way`.....There is ALWAYS a leader; there has to be a leader....you should read other bands biographies...hahaha

[Shadowland07]

....


...hahahaha...``other bands don`t operate that way`.....There is ALWAYS a leader; there has to be a leader....you should read other bands biographies...hahaha

Just to clear my name that post is not mine it's a response to my original post. Idk why it says my name, oh well.

[sodascouts]

Yeah, I was just saying this elsewhere. Bands without ego battles and money drama are the EXCEPTION, not the rule.

If we consider the way things went down with Guns N Roses, Black Sabbath, The Beach Boys, Queensryche, to name a few, we could get a little perspective here.

And by the way, the contract for HFO that Felder signed under the "duress" of Glenn's admittedly rudely-framed ultimatum earned Felder MILLIONS AND MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS for doing what he loved. I'm supposed to feel sorry for him?! I'm supposed to find that to be a horrible deal? I want that kind of horrible deal, please!

That's the thing, though. For Felder, it didn't matter that he was filthy rich. It only mattered that he wasn't as rich as Glenn and Don Henley.

[Freypower]

I have to reinforce what I said before. Yes the Eagles had other hits, but Hotel California isnt just another hit, it is known as a Masterpiece. Thats the difference (and a big one) and thats why Felder is especially important. In all honesty they could churn out similiar sounding songs like Tequila Sunrise, Peacefull easy feeling and Best of my love all day long (and a I love all those songs!)...but everything came together in the song Hotel California. Its unique, its a masterpiece.

Had I written a bands "Mona Lisa" I would want more respect than "Sign this by Sunrise or Adios" that Frey gave him.

I have deliberately stayed out of this debate for reasons which I prefer to keep to myself.

I will not, however, go along with those who inflate Hotel California & hence Felder's role in it so grossly out of proportion. For a start, THREE people wrote the song & the importance of the lyrics, the singing & the arrangement is just as vital as the music.

They couldn't just 'churn out' those other songs you blithely dismiss out of hand. Those songs are masterpieces too, in their own QUIET way (particularly the underrated Tequila Sunrise). Just because a song was a huge hit & is the only one some people ever seem to talk about doesn't mean that the band's entire oeuvre should just be dismissed as inferior to that song. Neither should it mean that the contributions to the band of an ex-member should be wildly inflated into a status that he frankly does not deserve.

The comparison HC = Bohemian Rhapsody & Lyin' Eyes = Crazy Little Thing Called Love is not in my opinion relevant. Yes, HC & BR are 'masterpieces'. The other two songs are also extremely powerful & memorable (particularly Lyin' Eyes, which, by the way, I do happen to think is a 'masterpiece'). Why do you have to put the allegedly 'inferior' songs down?

As for Topkat's statement about one member being more important than another only happening in Eagleland, perhaps she should look at the careers of Creedence Clearwater Revial & my beloved Dire Straits. You want a one man band? I've given you two.

[Freypower]

Nobody got fired from the Beatles at the end because the band broke up. Nobody got fired from the Eagles in 1980 either because the Eagles broke up. Is that somehow better? Like WalshFan88 and sodascouts I'd rather have the band without Felder than nothing.

If you don't believe the information I gave you about the Beatles than GO LOOK IT UP and see for yourself.

Glenn could have been more professional in the way he treated Felder but this is a rock band, not an accounting firm.

And was he really all that terrible? Many, many rock bands end on uglier notes. I'm also a fan of the Smashing Pumpkins, and band leader Billy Corgan fired drummer Jimmy Chamberlin over a fight about money. As for another former bandmate, guitarist James Iha ~ Corgan called him "a piece of s—” and "one of the worst human beings I’ve ever met in my life."

As far as I know Glenn Frey has never talked about the firing of Felder until now, in the documentary, when he is specifically asked about it, and some people are all over him for it as if he cussed out Felder for 10 minutes and ripped him a new one when all he did was recount a phone conversation from 1994 where he told Felder's lawyer ~ not even Felder directly ~ that Felder was an asshole.

I can see why people would think Glenn and Don Henley were being greedy but saying Glenn is 'abusive' is away OTT, IMHO.

I don't have any investment in defending Glenn but a lot of this just seems an overreaction to me. Maybe it's because I'm a fan of a lot of bands and I've seen a lot worse.

HD, you & I have had some disagreements but I wish to thank you for this & your other posts.

[Freypower]

Quote from Houston Debutante



I'm not even talking about Felder's book. I'm talking about "To the Limit".
I read it about 2 years ago, so I can't quote anything specific, but there are a lot of things that have been reported by people who were on the tours, or part of the crew, & others of how Glenn treated some people, which was not very nice.
I'm just going to say that he was probably using cocaine at the time, but it didn't bring out the best in him.
The drug use mentioned in the movie was pretty minimal compared to what it was. They do admit to it, but the way people act on drugs is another story. Cocaine can change your personality & I do think Glenn was a victim of that where it made him argumentative, and arrogant. It may not be his true self, but back then he was different.
He seems like a different person now, older, wiser, nicer & drug free which is why many people have a hard time with some of the things from the past.

To The Limit's entire purpose seems to be to denigrate Glenn Frey as much as it possibly can in order to paint Don Henley as the band's genius (this is obviously hardly Don's fault). It is not in my opinion a credible source of information.

You will say 'well, she would say that, wouldn't she'? I suppose so. I could tell what the author's agenda was from the beginning of it.