Don Felder: How the Eagles Wrote 'Hotel California'

Odds are you hold a special affinity for the dueling guitar parts of the #Eagles classic #HotelCalifornia. In this episode of Gear Factor, co-writer #DonFelder recalls how the song came together.
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#GearFactor #TheMusicExperience #Loudwire #Interview #TheEagles #Solo #Guitar

[@mcb31670]

Best song Eagles ever had was "One Of These Nights". Guitar solo by the great Don Felder

[@thomasteal5609]

He also wrote that bass line in the beginning.

[@commentfreely5443]

nah, hotel california is.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

Felder should have won five Grammys for that phenomenal bass line and cord/tempo change.

[@zoeherriot]

Journey of the Sorcerer, because it became one of the greatest sci-fi themes of all time.

[@danielbrown4133]

@@thomasteal5609 That is a great bass line, really gets you in!

[@andymacke5163]

“Fingers” Felder and Joe Walsh playing off each other in this Classic is Timeless and best ever!!

[@utoobia]

arborcidal maniac ...Clean for decades now.

[@zackzallie8735]

@@utoobia Agreed, I respected Joe for years now. Also, he turned up at Chris Cornell's funeral.

[@mainiac4pats]

Don Felder is my personal favorite guitarist and song writer from the 70’s and 80’s, “All of You” is one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard, period.

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

The Eagles are a perfect example of how music that is created to be commercially successful can also have real artistic merit. As he kind of explains in the video, The Eagles formed with the sole intention of being rockstars and making money. And yet, while they most certainly did that, they also managed to create one of the greatest and most enduring albums of all time. Much like all great art, Hotel California succeeds largely because of how mysterious it is. I swear, I don't think there are too many songs out there that have had people trying like crazy to decipher what the message is. It has what is undoubtedly one of the greatest final lines of all time. "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave." Still gives me goosebumps! :)

[@Turk3yFilms]

It also helps that the guitarists are highly skilled

[@billyrouse4813]

How can Don Felder know why the Eagles formed when he joined YEARS after they formed?! The original lineup was Don Henley, Glenn Frey, Bernie Leadon & Randy Meisner. Revisionist history. One of Those Nights was the third record!

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

He joined the Eagles for the same reason the rest of them formed the band in the first place; that is, to make bank. Go watch the Rock Legends episode about the Eagles; it explains why they created the band, (which was because they wanted to be rockstars and get rich). Hell, they chose the name Eagles after getting stoned out in the desert and happening to glance up and see an eagle flying by. Felder joined because he had the same motivations as the rest of them.

[@pappagetti]

Album??? You mean the greatest hits? I'm sn Eagles fan...but let's just be realistic here... *they don't have a lonp player that's even in the conversation with the masters of the craft* Don Felders solo was better than a Eagles project. 😂

[@FirBurger98]

@@billyrouse4813 if you ever watch The History of the Eagles, Glenn and others emphasized that intended to be rockstars and be famous.

[@amongstthepigeons1020]

If this was just a guy in a coffee shop I would so become his life long friend. This is a really generous interview.

[@karizaalves7477]

It's wonderful watching such an amazing story from this legend ♥️

[@leotorres9120]

The Eagles. All of you

[@BrentMFisher]

Happy Birthday! To The Great American Guitarist! Don Felder ~ kimie

[@BrentMFisher]

2021

[@BrentMFisher]

And down to earth, humble, cool guy!!!

[@CP-qe2ym]

"...so I had to call my house-keeper back in Malibu" yep, that just about sums it up right there

[@davidrhelmick72]

Charlie must have been taking notes

[@Wyatt42069]

Felder rules! His solo show is amazing, I saw him in May. He was always the most talented Eagle

[@chriscoleman6358]

Your are a kind soul. I can't even enjoy the Eagles no more .

[@zero1fifty8]

So many great musicians came out of Florida around that time, must've been something in the water

[@jeffrobodeenyehcmon5925]

One of my favorite guitar players of all time..such a pro when I watch him play I can tell hes just wrapped his brain around the fretboard and its effortless perfection

[@johnglonga1627]

thank u for such a beautiful song, humanity owes u a huge one!

[@jpslaym0936]

Don is the second guy I've heard say same thing about playing with Joe Satriani, just in awe of his musicality and just sheer skill as a player.

[@raycope2086]

Fantastic insight into one of the greatest tracks of all time. Thank you, I enjoyed that.

[@wzc3403]

Great ...LOVE this song for more than 40 years

[@IFRSKIES]

Great interview and loved the commentary by the great Don Felder.

[@BrentMFisher]

Happy Birthday! Don Felder - kimie

[@BrentMFisher]

2020

[@Greenriver842]

Legend 👏

[@perryjohnson8213]

Love this guy, super humble even after writing the guitar lick for one of the most notable rock songs of my generation.

[@stevenhulbert7540]

I laughed when he said "Alex Lifeson, dont know if you know who that is"....Lifeson from Canada.

[@spindillio]

Steven Hulbert I thought the same thing!!

[@marilynmansonisfat5226]

Lifeson is the best.

[@rodsmolter5046]

I would think he's at least as well known as Felder.

[@maggiemae7749]

Lifeson was great on the trailer park boys

[@stephenwipf5224]

He was being facetious.

[@jamesdunn9714]

Great interview, it had my attention from the get go. I really like "Hotel California" and I find the background information very interesting indeed.

[@clausm2203]

Love his playing

[@eversun77]

Awesome!

[@crispereira2020]

Great story teller

[@rbmedd]

Saw him just last year in Prescott, AZ. Still an amazing performer and appeared to be a genuinely good person. And... his son married the daughter of one of my wife's co-workers.

[@DominusLuna]

I still listen to the Heavy Metal Soundtrack but I didn't know this guy was so prominent in these Eagles songs that are so great.

[@a2ndopynyn]

Felder joining is what took them from being Very Good to being Great. "Already Gone" was the first single with Felder on it - listen to that lead guitar come thundering in on the intro; he gave them that heavy rock kick in the ass they were missing.

[@flip97gt]

National treasure right there.

[@stevejanowiak1982]

Seems like a genuinely nice dude!!! And great storyteller!

[@noelcruz7988]

One of my favorite guitarist in the whole world

[@paulmerritt402]

Don Felder was the king and Joe Walsh was in incredible compliment to Don. Best rock duo guitarists ever!

[@davidrhelmick72]

They were great but the Greatest guitar duo in rock history is hands down Gary Rossington and Allen Collins and they became the greatest trio with the addition of Steve Gaines...do I really need to mention the name of the band?

[@jessegonzalez2667]

What a Legend

[@1guitarnumber]

The guitar man

[@TH3F4LC0Nx]

Wow! The Eagles on Loudwire? That's a far cry from the usual Slipknot fare! :)

[@maxromero23]

Let alone "Rock" and "Metal" music in general. I put them in quotes for reasons like the fact they are running out of ideas for countdowns.

[@amd1273]

@Mind Control Experiments they certainly have more number 1 hits than Slipknot, but better? Can't really compare them, two different genres

[@amd1273]

@Fangalatic lol

[@vlazurah789]

Mind Control Experiments that’s subjective... both are great and are being recognised for it, if you can’t recognise that then you need to remove that stick from your ass

[@trtr-bc3zl]

Eagles stole hotel California from Jethro tull ,note for note.

[@DumpTrump4TRE45ON]

I went to UF in 76-82. Don Felder, Bernie Leadon and Tom Petty were and for very very good reason the holy trinity. They might still be, they are so amazing.

[@willpayne6249]

Don Fielder is a Awesome Guitarist.

[@davidcharles324]

It's always struck me that Felder is the most personable and friendly of any of the Eagles, one who would make me feel at ease just saying hello. If I ever get to see him in concert here in Houston, I'll yell out Red River Valley. As far as Henley is concerned, I'd rather just listen to him on the radio.

[@brianbds9609]

don felder is one of the best in rock history

[@KAndrew636]

It’s an absolute SIN that the Eagles are touring Hot CA without Don- I hope they’re paying him big $!

[@davidpaz9389]

Felder isn't allowed to say anything about the settlement he got but my guess is he still gets paid Eagles money.

[@vernwallen4246]

non disclosure agreement.💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰

[@shobud71]

Hotel California would not exist without Don Felder

[@onelovemon1784]

Felder taught all those dudes in Gainesville how to play. I know them all, The Motels, the Heartbreakers etc

[@sharonpringle3932]

If you know how to get a hold of Ron can you tell him Sharon Pringle says Thank-you to him for sending me excerpts from his book! I enjoyed reading it!

[@coolhandluke5388]

Cool

[@guitarplayer30001]

crazy, just realized he was in his homestate for that album, never put that together. i seem to remember that phone call being across the country. having read the book.. very special story on neil peart here too

[@guitarplayer30001]

oh and this is before he passed too. wow

[@Nanoci62]

... still one of the greatest solo ... EVER ...

[@sbardellajulio3114]

🎸🤘👍🎼hotel california dream hollly smokkyyy

[@brianbierlein4747]

"Alex Lifeson, I don't know if you know who he is, from Canada". Who doesn't know Alex Lifeson? lol

[@ryanduray1]

Is he the guy who plays that song about Diane Sawyer?

[@josephb.6158]

I know right.

[@youreadopted3960]

Ehm Me not

[@jimschiltz5343]

@@ryanduray1 I think the song is "Don Sawyer" Get your facts straight, pal!

[@jamesshaw1391]

@@ryanduray1 fuckin ricky

[@news603redux]

I sat in the dressing room with B.B. King in 1986 for about ten minutes and he's absolutely right. B.B. was the nicest, most gracious person I've ever met,

[@kenjisagaii8591]

EAGLES's Genius guitar

[@worldtraveler007]

"I had to call my housekeeper in Malibu"...Those must have been rough times.

[@fw1421]

World Traveler California wasn’t anywhere as expensive then in the mid 70’s as it is today.

[@ingleringlet-snipps3rd449]

I imagine it was rough on the housekeeper. Imagine if he or she had been unable to find it. "Sorry Mr. Felder, all I can find are your Heavy Metal Taking a Ride demos. Why don't you try humming and maybe the solo will come back to you?"

[@discernment8963]

I'd say Hotel was their Masterpiece but it wasn't like The Eagles weren't already a successful band going into Hotel.....

[@ososnake97]

@@discernment8963 a couple of number #1 in the billboard 100, for a rock band out of beatles, was a huge thing

[@discernment8963]

@@ososnake97 Your right, I was just responding to some comments about Ca not being nearly as costly as now. Hotel California made them a Super group but they'd been getting plenty of air play the entire 70s. So them not hurting finacially prior to HC is an understatement.

[@mattsharpe2861]

Less talk more play!!

[@zakur0hako]

he didn't mention mountains of blow and booze that definitely helped writing that song

[@mikehawk8276]

Whoops must've slipped his mind

[@pfzt]

yeah yeah, we get it, they took drugs in the 70s. Man, all these comments under every (EVERY!!) Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, Van Halen, whatever Video on the internet are getting real old.

[@zakur0hako]

@@pfzt yeah you are right actually

[@ramenman534]

Title should be: How Don Felder wrote Hotel California

[@shrapnel77]

I want to get a Pat Boone "Tutti Fruity" concert shirt.

[@Kacee2]

Don was always one of my favorite guitarists. The Eagles screwed him.

[@chrisslooter]

Lawers.

[@dankk2754]

Kelly Conroy Felder and Walsh are my favorite eagles

[@thenerdofthenorth8205]

Ayyyy never been first before!

[@simonsmatthew]

Great guitarist. Vey cool in his prime. Now looks like Liberace in Black.

[@billyrouse4813]

Co-writer? Musically he was the WRITER of the song.

[@jerrytaylor4078]

Don wrote the guitar melody for the song, Henley and Frey wrote lyrics. What he doesn’t say in this interview is he wanted to sing on the album, but Henley and Frey pretty much said no, they were the soloists.

[@KOLDBLU3ST33L]

The consummate professional.

[@midnitelitecompany]

What did the end have to do with the title

[@SickTut]

Even Don couldn't believe that Neil had stopped. I couldn't believe that he had to ask if we knew who Alex was. Everyone knows RUSH🙂

[@timg.3326]

*Anyone know if the demo Don's talking about here is out on the net anywhere? I tried a quick KZbin search but nothing came up.*

[@63supercobrajet]

Without Felder creating Hotel California, the Eggo's would've been just a slightly more popular POCO, but ONLY because of Joe Walsh. H.C. was Felder's creative baby and even Joe Walsh knew it.

[@feebypeels2883]

The Eggo's are my favorite band.

[@fudhater8592]

Don is holding up well

[@Vern.Anderson]

The video is chopped up in such a way that I did not get any details of where I can go hear them play these projects. I would love to hear Don Felder playing with all of these people. There was no name of the project mentioned the video is sliced out where he probably said the name of the project. Google finds nothing on it anyone have a link to any of these collaborations?

[@Vern.Anderson]

found more info thanks BING.com kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5TRZoxoqbGtbK8

[@Vern.Anderson]

www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/don-felder-new-album-slash-bob-weir-sammy-hagar-783638/

[@stefipaudinbasterdatlarge.7769]

INCUBUS----SUCCUBUS attack..........GROOVY MAN.

[@stefipaudinbasterdatlarge.7769]

This is the TOP TEN songs ever written on EARTH SOUTH....THE MELODY and WORDS are out of this WORLD.

[@bradc3929]

Damn. BB King. Awsome story

[@Tom-yg8ft]

HE LOOKS JUST LIKE RELAXATION GURU BRENT FORRESTER!!!!!

[@byron7165]

Don Felder is a master of guitar. It's too bad the Eagles pushed him out.

[@chrisslooter]

@T S Lawers.

[@kiwiauldphart]

@T S no! that was Glenn Frey!

[@dankk2754]

kiwiauldphart truth

[@blucu001]

@T S Also writing a book where he aired dirty laundry didn't help.

[@Tom-yg8ft]

Can't have 2 guys both named 'Don' in the band. Imagine how confusing it must be when someone calls out the name Don?!?!

[@davedavis9693]

Don also played with Glenn Schwartz .

[@veronicadelpilargutierrezg414]

Eres como el vino CHILENO MIENTRAS MÁS AÑOS MÁS SIGLOS ¡¡¡ MÁS RICO ES!!!!😘😗😚😙

[@franvamotv]

I just realized Mr. Felder and Skip Bayless look somewhat alike 🤣

[@reptiledysfunction5512]

I thought Jethro Tull wrote "We Used To Know"

[@zibbezabba2491]

They did. They played it while they toured with the eagles around the time 'take it easy' was charting. I know where Hotel california come from even though the Eagles won't admit it.

[@lemmykilmister9979]

The guy don't look 72yrs young

[@brianjohnson8616]

Money helps

[@Teleman73]

Doesn't look like he did with the Eagles either.

[@jayburriswayne5403]

lemmy kilmister wait WHAT???

[@seanm3226]

lemmy kilmister Not a wrinkle in that forehead.

[@lovly2cu725]

@Samantha Elizabeth Not necessarily, Peels & laser work wonders.

[@Bill-jc1fy]

When the Eagles regrouped to go on tour, Don Felder wanted equal pay so Henley and Frey, even though they raked in millions on songwriting and publishing money, said he wasn't nearly as important as they were and refused.

[@alfredspang4676]

I'm a good friend of Al Blaze Blazek who recorded Hotel Calofornia I even gave him a trophy for worlds greatest tecording engineer which I think he was he autographed a copy of Hotel California. for me but all disappeared including the worlds 1st and only. Spang Stratosonic which I invented DuoSonic 3/4 body Stratosonic full length neck last I heard of him he went to record in Tuscaloosa Alabama right before a giant tornado hit. Id like to know if anyone knows what happened to him are you still out there bro I need you to record 38DDS I wrote its been on KZbin many years but I never got a dime only a tshirt Alfred Spang

[@mateamargo5261]

Not to be a shallow commenter :Dbut he looks great!

[@simonzaffar4705]

I heard hotel.california was a breakthrough for eagles helped them get out of the rut of making country music

[@K131399]

Jethro Tull's "We Used To Know" was heard by the Eagles when they were playing with Jethro Tull before they blew up. One of the members of Tull said 100% the Eagles heard "We Used To Know" many times before writing Hotel California. You can bet your ass the Eagles would have sued the asses off of Jethro Tull or anyone else if Hotel California was written first. Many artists were sued and lost for less.

[@ikigai47]

Kind of weird how he talks about Alex Lifeson like he's some obscure guitar player from Canada that you may not have heard of. He's a legend Don, we've heard of him

[@stephenwipf5224]

I think he was being facetious

[@ikigai47]

@@stephenwipf5224 - 6:31 I don't think so. He doesn't even say his name right. Calls him "Alec Lifeson." Plus, he named much more famous guitar players than Alex (BB King). If he were of mind to act like Alex is a God by making a "don't know if you've heard of him" joke, he'd have done it with the more famous guitar player, not the lesser known guy who's name he can't even say properly.

[@tomsawyer2338]

The blues weren’t born in the HR department of a corporation

[@richardjohnson7379]

Tom Sawyer just out of interest, is your mind up for rent to any god or government?

[@zedohsan1390]

Don Felder doesnt really get much appreciation and is underrated as a guitarist

[@randyvinson7928]

he starts telling at 3.oo

[@lynnturman8157]

I think Felder getting fired was a good thing for him, actually. Unlike his ex-band mates, he gets to play music instead of having to play the same 20 songs every night.

[@patsfan4life]

Lynn Turman yeah but those 20 songs were amazing.....

[@Walkeranz]

Like a robot

[@rorycunningham5457]

Yes there is nothing worse...💤Ive done it for 30 years and its boring as hell.

[@MrGuit12]

I also see Mozart in him :-)

[@frankunodostres473]

finally! now we will know if the song actually was a yelp review or not!

[@tdolz]

Heavy Metal

[@danvelgtr]

Video should be entitled '' Don Felder : How I wrote Hotel California '' .

[@trtr-bc3zl]

Video should say how we stole the song note for note from Jethro tull !!!!!!

[@assitch6693]

@Taotaomona he did got enough credit for hotel california but he wants all the credit. The lyrics and theme were from Henley and Frey. The duo are also the ones who decide what is the best for the song which i believe to be the most critical in making the song. If they did not stop Felder from altering hotel california, it may have not turned out as good as hotel california.

[@trtr-bc3zl]

@Taotaomona song was stolen note for note from Jethro tull

[@trtr-bc3zl]

@Taotaomona ian Anderson said its like owning a fake Rolex.

[@trtr-bc3zl]

@Taotaomona without Jethro tull and the eagles touring with Jethro tull there would never have been a song called hotel California.

[@joeyhandeland983]

Alex Lifson, I don't know if you know who that is...he's from Canada. In some no name band called Rush.

[@careym3901]

Were behind only the Beatles and Stones for album sales at one point...Alex who?

[@joeyhandeland983]

@@careym3901 Omg...it's not about albums sold. Of course, the Eagles are one of the best selling groups ever. I'm just pointing out the fact, Don, is being so egotistical.

[@careym3901]

@@joeyhandeland983 I was talking about Rush

[@joeyhandeland983]

Me too:)

[@joeyhandeland983]

Why did you say "Alex who”?

[@timprescott4634]

Cue the tired “they ripped off Tull” cliches...

[@dash8too]

Sick of it! If they did a modicum of research, they’d know that Felder wasn’t in the band in 1972, when the Eagles opened for Jethro Tull. Also, news flash for these folks: Hotel California isn’t the only good Eagles song.

[@rossmitchell7125]

By listening to Jethro Tull.

[@alexandrerodriguez8723]

Same chord progression, and it's even possible they just subconsciously ripped it off without realising. Different tonality, different rythm context (H.C: 4/4 binary pop and We used to Know 6/8 ternary blues shuffle), different lyrics, different melodies, different solos, different structure. Artists can't own the function behind the chords, sorry for you. It's like if you told me I plagiarized the dictionary because I used words from it.

[@foxontherun4754]

Well we were touring with Jethro Tull and we heard a nice tune called “we use to know” so we stole some of it and made it our own.

[@frankmachin5438]

Ian Anderson didn’t believe they stole it; he didn’t consider it plagiarism. He felt they were probably subconsciously influenced by it but he recognised that there have been very few chord progressions that haven’t been used in some other way elsewhere. You can hear the similarities due to the chord progression but they’re not so similar as to call HC a rip off.

[@regaltip8A]

Absolutely spot on. Anderson was good with it but have known about the "used to know" connection for many many years. Anyone who cant hear it should really see an audiologist quickly.

[@foxontherun4754]

Frank Machin i didn’t say it was a rip off. I said what you said, just in fewer words. HOC is a masterpiece but i don’t think it would have been written that way if it wasn’t for MR Anderson😀

[@frankmachin5438]

Fox On The Run 😉

[@gmoore6166]

Don Felder doesn’t get as much attention as he deserves for his part of The Hotel California album. He should be touring with them now but Don Henley is too big headed!

[@gmoore6166]

Samantha Elizabeth why not Henley & Fry used Felder and never considered him a full time member!

[@raymondwillis6744]

He can play a guitar with his feet

[@philthejet]

About Alex Lifeson: " I don't know if you know who he is..." please Don, are you kidding?

[@marcusthompson313]

here's where they snatched the triplet part of the solo from: kzbin.info/www/bejne/m5OvqKiFj9yAq5o

[@poundtacos4006]

I’d imagine there are more Rush fans watching loudwire than Eagles fans. Maybe I’m wrong, but I’m thinking I’m on point, haha.

[@sidemotion]

Never realized, till right now, large his ear hole are.

[@Gramasz]

Plastic surgery does that also. Maybe as a side effect

[@rvbadland]

JETHRO TULL : « We used to know »....

[@kokothegreat5583]

Comment 300...your welcome don