Don Henley Sues to Get His Lyrics Back! But What About Don Felder?

[@jossip1171]

Henley, a class B drummer and class B singer took any kinda advantage from real artists as Randy Meisner, Don Felder and Joe Walsh, later Stewart Smith. The more that dude ages the more he turns out to be a greedy and selfish freak. The only reason, he "curteously" allowed Deacon Frey to join the band after his dad´s passing, was the last name FREY to be read as a member to the group. I´ll never forget his announcement at the band´s concert "Out in the green" in Wiesbaden, Germany, 2011, concerning video taping, quote:" It´s ok to take photos but no videos. I don´t think I have to expalin you the meaning of copyright>." Security guards kept running thru the audience, yelling at people with video cameras in use... disgusting.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I love this Jossip! I’m pinning this comment!

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Yeah, did Henley think maybe the fans in the faraway nosebleeds can get away with it? He hopefully paid those guards enough

[@orbitsun]

I agree wholeheartedly with this comment except for class B assessments.

[@davehopping7212]

@@orbitsun It's not as if Henley could give Roy Orbison (or Jay Black!) singing lessons. Or give John Bonham drum lessons. Joe Walsh probably would not want to be asked whether he prefers Henley's drumming to brother-in law Ringo Starr's

[@orbitsun]

@@davehopping7212 Henley's a much better singer than Orbison or Black, and nobody compares favorably to Ringo Starr. Henley's a dick, though. Treats his fans like crap.

[@floundergearjam]

Michael, great points you are making. I have to confess that I am somewhat blinded by this because I am a fan of Don Felder and don't like the way he was treated (Randy Meiser too).

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Ditto for me GearJam! Ditto for me! ❤❤❤

[@petercena9497]

Henley would sue a passerby singing "Hotel California'.

[@georgeedward1226]

Rules for thee, none for me.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Ooh that’s good George! Now where did that napkin go? 😉👌🏆❤

[@michaelfavreau7617]

Any forthcomings and acknowledgements to Don Felder are a huge WIN in classic rock and the true fans of classic rock.

[@JoeBilello1969]

There's so many musical acts that have really exemplified the ugliness of the human ego and just how terrible most people can be. So many of the greatest groups have really disappointed their fans with all of their drama, its probably easier to count the groups that haven't fallen apart because of these internal wars. The ones that immediately come to mind are Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, The Temptations, The Beatles, Crosby Stills & Nash, Van Halen and I'm sure theres another dozen I'm forgetting. All of that crap really soured me out towards all of those people😢

[@johnrenoveillon3841]

"No one can suck the fun out of a room faster than Don Henley." - Glenn Frey

[@adamdorgant9454]

True!!!!!

[@davehopping7212]

Henley's situation reminds us of things he did that he does not want to remember and does not want us to remember, either. But we do....

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! …Yes we do…❤❤❤

[@garypeacock5919]

Great video Michael. I love the Eagles, but agree that Frey and Henley both treated Don Felder like s**t. What people forget is that Felder wrote the musical intro to Hotel california, and if that had never happened, would their ever have been a "Hotel california" at all, and everything that came with it ?

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Unfortunately ive sedn comments on other eagles videos on the song's creation that "glenn and don did more because they wrote the lyrics and felder never sang" Yeah but Felder started the basic track and figured out solos of hotel California.

[@garypeacock5919]

@Thomasmemoryscentral agreed, that they put forward the lyrics, but it all started with Felders opening chords.

[@deedeesmith1743]

Best part of the song is the music beginning

[@canadianstudmuffin]

Don Henley: "Sue everybody!!".

[@joeshine9869]

He's a talented Individual Michael,but comes across as a greedy control freak

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

I so agree with you Joe! Thanx! ❤❤❤

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Yeah and according to a 2016 interview, he seems to have a stick up his anus on covers of his music that change lyrics. That 2016 interview had Henley give his thoughts on the 2003 Boys Of Summer cover by The Ataris and if he enjoyed the lyric change to which he replied: “No not really and if you noticed, we haven’t really heard from The Ataris in awhile” So if anyone covers his music, he’s salty over lyric changes?

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Michael, if Don Felder created a supergroup full of other talents such as him that got screwed over, you think he’d have a nice touring group? Maybe call it Musical Misfit Elders. He can have John Fogerty, Lindsay Buckingham, Dennis Deyoung, Mark Farner and Lou Gramm! Maybe a guest appearance from Steve Perry?@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine

[@brianmcnevin1419]

And an ego as big as the all out doors. Frey had a massive ego to!

[@machavez00]

He’s one of the major song blockers on KZbin.

[@boysiesolem4752]

Excellent video Michael Thank you

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

So glad you enjoyed it Boysie! Thanx for you kind words!❤❤❤

[@talbotdarren]

Don Henley, Glenn Frey, with a side of Irving Azoff screwed Don Felder.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Damned I wished I had mentioned Azoff Talbot! But then again, the Tribe always supplies brother! Thanx! ❤❤❤

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Did Glenn forget that if Bernie Leadon never invited Don Felder in, he’d never have compose the starter track that’d turn into Hotel California and help Joe Walsh sober up in time for the 1994 freeze over tour reunion?

[@DLEVANS65]

Thanks for the shout out Mr. Noland ! Great story!

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

You bet DL! And now I’m subscribed to you as well brother! I’ll hit that notification bell too! Welcome to the Tribe!❤❤❤🏆

[@diviningdragon]

Well, there is a dose of irony here. I respect Henley's talent. I respect his legacy. This is a case he should win. However, it would be so ironic if his victory opened a legal door for Felder. A true dose of karma, if you will. Don Henley was a master at letting his partner take the heat for unethical behavior--but it begs the question of how much he actually instigated. Remember, once Frey passed away, if the villiany was all Frey's own doing, Henley would have been free to welcome Felder back. But with Felder still out of the band, one suspects that Henley was equally complicit in expelling Felder. As a matter of fact, had he been a man of honor and Frey truly the arch villian in this tale, Henley would have been strong enough to block him. So in the end, this is Henley's doing. I hate saying that because I love his work. But when fate conspires as it does in this case, I wonder if something in the universe is still trying to teach Henley a lesson he refuses to hear...

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Great points here, and you’re right Dragon, once Frey died, there weren’t any skirts to hide beneath! 😉👌❤🏆

[@winnykooyman4851]

Henley still is an asshole we don't like.

[@detpak]

Imagine a band with Henley and Neal Schon together lol

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh that would really sell as a day time Soap DetPal! ❤❤❤

[@petercena9497]

Throw in Axl and Gene Simmons.

[@chris-yo8nj]

Im gonna sue people when they say my name.

[@robbiedetroitstigermanviny8883]

Don't Henley Rock God and Lyricist. He has brought Myself and My Family with unlimited amounts of joy since 1973. Thank you Don't and the rest of The Eagles what ever the make of that band.

[@TigerRogers0660]

Don Henley just wants to be seen as the driving force of the classic Eagles era!! Another thing to big note himself. He is an egomaniac. If it wasn't for Randy Meisner & Bernie Leadon, i doubt the Eagles would have been half as big!!

[@BaahBen]

Then you know nothing about the Eagles. The two you mentioned were the reason it took longer than necessary for the Eagles to become America's Beatles. After they left was when the group accomplished their most success.

[@timfurnier7061]

I think Don Henley is an EGOMANIAC!!!!!!!!!! It's all about HIM! I think he's the worst kind of person to kick Don Felder out of the band just so he could have a bigger take.

[@tomgorman748]

I was under the impression that Felder was involved with the music. I thought the lyrics were Henley and Frey. But I agree that Felder got a raw deal with the band.

[@mustlovepretzels]

He settled out of court with them.🥨

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Felder is the one involved in creating the music for Hotel California. Henley and Frey penned the lines but Felder constructed the instrumental

[@adamdorgant9454]

@@mustlovepretzelsYou’re right about that, and I read Don Felder’s book Heaven and Hell, My Life In The Eagles 1974-2001, it’s really good to read!!!

[@PedrSion]

Frey and Henley were a pair of see you next Tuesdays !

[@connievino4226]

Huh?

[@jonvanhouten8369]

I agree with you, they should be Hendley’s and Don Felder’s, I just hate how they treated Don Felder.

[@connievino4226]

Felder's music anyway.

[@williamrodriguez296]

Henley is not a good person but has a good amount of musical talent. Humans are flawed and we can see very similar comparisons that can be made of people across a broad variety of life. I can separate the two because the Eagles are a well deserving staple of which he played an integral part, but time and again through his own choices makes that hard to do. Noland is right in regard to Henley's view of the material and a creator's rights. He is also right in regard to the historically self-involved motives of Henley. Henley chose in the past to ignore contracts and a creator's rights because it was in his own self-interest. Miraculously, contracts and his own rights seem to matter at a higher level than does others when it suits him.

[@IanBranson-ky9xr]

It's disappointing to meet your heroes... or in this case, learn who they really are. I recall vividly that one moment in Hell Freezes Over when Henley commented exasperatedly to the camera, "These trained people," then sharply to Tim Drury, "They're playing it like white people..." Then reading about the politics of the band and Felder wanting to steer clear and how everything suddenly fell apart, everything I sensed about Henley fell into place. The arrogance, the pettiness, the vindictiveness all became believable and then real. Recently I heard Don's voice on a recent Rodney Dillard compilation, and he sounds unabashedly old, which explains the backing tracks. (The Dillards are said to be an influence for Henley and Souther and the much of the southern rock scene.) I can't fault him too harshly for backing tracks, but only up until the price of the ticket comes into focus.

[@aluminumshapingobsession2814]

If what you imply is true, I’m with you.

[@ltjjenkins]

Some of these rock legends are leaving a hypocritical and awful non musical legacy.

[@kenijonesESQ]

Hmmm, that sucks, karma arrives when the doors open. Great episode Michael thanks brother.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

And thank YOU Keni! Always good to hear from ya brother! ❤❤❤

[@FoxoChaca]

Good sound, easy to hear your words, Michael. Thanks.

[@dennisjump8655]

If you write lyrics (and I mean actual lyrics) then you can't help but be on Henley's side in this. They are yours. Whatever you may think of him personally, ( not much BTW), if he wrote them, their his. Whenever I heard him or Frey, they just sounded greedy and/or petty. Felder comes across differently. I mean, I watched a video where he teaches you his solo from Hotel California for free. Henley would charge 10 bucks a note.

[@drmusic3641]

Great singer, great songwriter but insufferable human being. I don't know if Felder would be included since he wrote the music but had nothing to do with the lyrics. Would Frey's estate have half a claim to those lyrics since he's also a co writer of the song? I began to watch a two year old interview of Henley by Billy Joel. It was 90 minutes long but I had to bail after 45. He was soooo boring, I felt bad for Joel. LOL

[@adamfindlay7091]

Don't forget, some of these CATS think they are The Eagles/Floyd/ etc. not just Donald J Henley...Ask Don, how many Tix he sold to a Don Henley show V$ The Eagles? 😅

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Bullseye Adam! Right down the center! 🎯👌🏆❤

[@chrisoakley5830]

Great comment, I understand that often only one or two band members are the face of a band, but what they fail to remember is that fans love everyone in the band, not just the one or two most recognized figures.

[@itslikethesamebutdifferent8020]

Legally he should be entitled to get his songs back. On a personal note, i hope the litigation is long and bothersome. He seems to only honor the contracts that affect him financially not those who screw over other people.

[@jeffreyflint6286]

Here we go again Micheal. So many of these guys come off as just greedy. Sometimes I wonder. Your right we write on whatever is available at the moment lol. It's a shame people have to act like flathead ignoramus's.❤❤

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh such a great big Amen to that Jeffrey! I written on myself when paper wasn’t available! ❤❤❤

[@jeffreyflint6286]

@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine That's great, so have I while having coffee at my favourite diner

[@craigcavaliere6744]

I thought Felder only wrote the music to Hotel California.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

He wrote the music but he’s the reason the song exists at all. If not for the basic starter track, Henley and Frey don’t have a base to create the lyrics and then unleash one of their greatest hits off all time

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Yes he did, but has equal rights to all that is that song Vraij! But thanx for the clarification brother! ❤❤❤

[@craigcavaliere6744]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine Thank you for clarifying. I am not in the music industry, so I don't know much about the ins and outs of how all of that stuff works.

[@craigcavaliere6744]

@@Thomasmemoryscentral I don't know how all that stuff works. Thank you for clarifying.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

No problem Craig. It’s true though. Felder wrote the music even thinking of guitar solos and Henley and Frey wrote the lyrics. Felder is the first reason the song exists at all and no amount of downplay from Henley and of course the late Glenn Frey can take that away.@@craigcavaliere6744

[@Mark-qz2nu]

Something Don Henley forgot to add is that him and his bandmates while touring with Jethro tull ripped off the music to we used to know to make the song Hotel California. So what he should say is I want my stolen song back. Must of slipped his mind. WHAT A JACKASS.

[@Mark-qz2nu]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/sJa3apqBrbKkm8ksi=QW1U-WO5BslBBWUa

[@michaelwilson2340]

The only thing I'll say is Bernie Leadon was wise to leave the Eagles when he did. Before Don and Glenn went to Simmons/Stanley levels of being pricks.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Praise the almighty Bernie Michael! He developed their sound brother! ❤❤❤

[@mossycreektennessee6528]

I love the music of the Eagles and Don Henley solo stuff , the way they treat people is awful

[@actionimagesphotography]

I'm sure Don gets his percentage when it comes to royalties as he was a signed member of the group. But when it comes to the writing of the song Don has said many times in interviews he came up with most of the tune and Henley and Fry did all the lyrics. I believe I heard today ( might be wrong) that Henley might have thought Felder was somehow connected to the sale which is troubling in many ways when it comes to Henley.

[@georgeprice4212]

This is one where, yeah, ok, Henley deserves the songs back. But, I’m thinking this is also gonna bite him in the b$&@s big time.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

He’s not known for doing himself any favors George! He thinks he’s above that sort of stuff! 😉👌❤

[@georgeprice4212]

@@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine ain’t that the truth!

[@joelcraig6416]

The Eagles would have never gone as far as they did without Don Felder. Because they dumped him I don’t listen to their music anymore or follow anything. I’ve even been to the corner at Winslow Arizona. Hotel California is by far their best work and the only album I would consider buying. Don Felder’s contribution catapulted them into the megastars they became. Can’t help but be reminded of the chasm created by Glenn Frey and his politician with Fingers Felder. That was the end of the winning combination for the Eagles. Note Don Felder was a signed member of the Eagles. Joe Walsh was a guitarist for hire. As for the lyrics I agree this memorabilia is private property of everyone who contributed, not just Don Henley.

[@aarond23]

Felder wrote the guitar parts not the lyrics, so really doesn't have much to do with him in this case.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Ah but according to copyright law he does! All named writers have an equal share Aaron! But yeah, you are right, he only wrote the basic outlay of the song. Thanx! ❤❤❤

[@stevensmith8937]

I started Trading classes in 2005. Before I took Business Leadership and Customer Service classes in 2004 because I was a Union Shop Steward. Then my mom pointed a book out to me in the library in 2007 called: Financial Founding Fathers by Robert Wright. In it says the U.S. became financially strong in 1800 from 'Cheap Labor and some Resources.' Read my comments on KZbin/Manny Ramos Motivation/Live - Are Marine Corps Drill Instructors Getting Soft 2023??? posted 4 months ago. Yes, it is good that Don is going after those Lyrics. Hindsight they should have been more closely held. That is the OJT that I was talking about in my comments in KZbin/Manny Ramos Motivation. The Rich are getting Richer and the Poor are getting Poorer. That is a natural occurrence of the Keynesian economic system of the World being used. Personally, I don't keep everything for myself. Even when everybody says I can.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Well said here Steven, thanx! ❤❤❤

[@scottmcneely1927]

Does Joe Walsh get credit for his part in writing Life In The Fast Lane?

[@MellissaBoomeroftheNight]

I can't stand the way they treated Felder, and I was very fortunate to discuss it with him just after it happened, but well before it was settled. If Henley foots the bill for the provenance, sure, deduct the cost and spit the rest down the middle. But this smacks of an heir to the E.C. crown of arrogance move imho.

[@adamdorgant9454]

You’re right about that!!!

[@oceanside88]

Is there enough time to even bother with a fresh court battle? Seems silly😒

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

With this ilk, it’s always right to the grave OceanSide! 😉👌🤔❤

[@denest3435]

Terrible man , me as a old Eagles fan now makes me be annoyed with the band also so unjust how Don Felder was outed. No integrity we fans shouldbt visit their concerts anymore in which there is no life singing of Henley but back tracking.

[@bluehunte1]

These lyrics belong to Henley himself and Frey’s family. Felder did not ever write any lyrics so he should have no part of this.

[@Nugmania1]

How many more accolades does this guy need? Any songwriter, should never let original scribbles out of their sight, maybe Karma is a fickle bitch coming by back to bite him in the assets, lol. I say to Don Henley, enjoy what you have and work on some more things that are philanthropic, maybe show do humility and humbleness

[@deedeesmith1743]

Can't hear an Eagle song without hearing Don henley being petty in these lawsuits. Its ruined the joy of listening to them. So greedy and petty and selfish of him in my opinion. The others need to get away from him before he ruins their reps. Need to rename the group The Ass. I think he lies and deserves what happens in life to him.

[@stormbringercoming8105]

Don deserves to win this case. It seems pretty clear. As much as I love Henley’s work, he’s a miserable turd burglar. No sympathy coming from me. I don’t know how anyone could be so successful and yet look AND seem so miserable. There is nothing about him that radiates joy or warmth. For the sake of his family, I hope that I’m wrong.

[@fuzzy734]

don't get me wrong, i like the music (by the band and solo stuff by all of them) but they're all egomaniacs (except joe walsh; he's just cool lol). my real question is why did it take him so long to want them back? he knew who took them and it probably wouldn't have been hard to follow the bread crumbs right?

[@sunshinecoolwater9528]

Flying Burrito Brothers > Eagles

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

Oh they are good Sunshine! ❤❤❤

[@kylemoran4343]

Why would you "loan" your lyric sheets out to anyone ? That all sounds a little strange to me. But I don't know the business. Maybe he loaned them out for drugs, like a drug pawn shop haaaaaaaaaa

[@tod3msn]

Don Henley may be a pain in the butt yet he did write the songs and is entitled to the lyric sheets. Don is a wordsmith and lyrics matter to him.

[@BaahBen]

So Mr. Noland, I'm not here to fight with you about Henley's treatment of Don Felder; actually it was Glen Frey. You should explain the story behind it though; it was a long time ago, but it involved politics. But I saw a post where I believe the guy just reposted your comments about Don Henley being a "B" vocalist? Let's not confuse you're being a supporter of Don Felder with your unfounded criticism of Don Henley's voice. You have to be kidding. You do this for a living? I am no fan of Henley because he could be one of the two greediest R&R'ers ever; the other being Glen Frey. But to suggest he is a B vocalist is something I strongly disagree with. History has already proven you are in the minority with that opinion; record sales matter. When you listen to a new song for the very first time, unannounced, there are certain singers that you immediately recognize. Don Henley is one of if not the greatest vocalists ever in R&R history. The reason for the success of the Eagles, despite what you think and proven by their well-earned title as "America's Beatles" and their record sales, were the talents of Don Henley and Glen Frey. Felder, Meisner et al? Come on now. Yes, they have a lot of haters for some of the reasons you have alluded to and how they treated anyone in their group who did not fall in line, but we're talking about pure talent and that they have had from day one. They were brilliant songwriters, too. Who writes a song like The Last Resort? Are you freaking kidding me? Also, let's not forget when they went their separate ways for 4-5 years, both Henley and Frey had incredible solo careers. Personally, I think their solo works were far better than when they were together in the band. When Glen Frey died, the band should have stopped immediately. But no, the greed of Don Henley (how much money does anyone really need?) kept them going. First, he took on one of my favorite Country singers, Vince Gill, and that was a ridiculous fit. And then Glen's son, which was even more ridiculous. Yes, today, Henley's voice is shot. Yet he has the nerve to call this group the Eagles and still charges $500 a ticket, so I am with you about your criticism of him as a person, but I'm sorry, he was the greatest vocalist in the history of R&R as far as I'm concerned. I am 79 and have heard a lot of singers in my day, starting with Alan Freid's Shows at the Brooklyn Paramount and then weekly trips to the Filmore East from 1969 to the mid 70's. He's got the best voice I've ever heard.

[@LarryGonzalez00]

I think Henley should get his property back, but I can't help but enjoy seeing a little instant karma coming back to bite him in the back pockets.

[@MichaelNoland-TheBottomLine]

LOL! Yeah kinda me too Larry!❤❤❤

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

I think Don Felder should form a supergroup of musicians that got dealt a bad hand by their band mates and other possible outsiders that screwed them over. Imagine the group named say Musical Misfit Elders, the lineup can feature: 1. Don Felder 2. Lou Gramm 3. Dennis Deyoung 4. John Fogerty 5. Lindsay Buckingham 6. Mark Farner Imagine the neat mashup of these guys singing each other’s hits. Fogerty singing Hotel California, Buckingham for Renegade and Deyoung on Down On The Corner?

[@LarryGonzalez00]

@@Thomasmemoryscentral Now that's a concert I'd pay to see. Great idea. They need a rhythm section, maybe Peter Criss and Michael Anthony?☮

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

That’d be pretty cool! Heck Felder and Sammy Hagar covered Hotel California, bring on the red rocker too! Great idea on Michael Anthony because of his bass and backing vocals. Peter Criss might have the chops for drumming for songs such as Life In The Fast Lane?@@LarryGonzalez00

[@muskykingjoe]

Class B singer? Quit whining about Felder since he's putting out platinum album after platinum album, right? Just so you know there's a 12 year old guitarist in every small town in America that can play anything Don Felder could play. There was no drop off with Harrington taking over. Felder can't sing and he's no songwriter.