A compelling read...
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The other reviewers here have comprehensively reviewed the book - to which I can add very little.
However, I would point out that despite Joe Walsh having more star quality than Felder, the real lead guitarist of the Eagles was Don Felder. Just watch the DVD of the Farewell 1 tour, you'll see that the session guitarist (Steuart Smith) plays around 80% of the solos, whilst Walsh merely strums rhythm guitar. On the video for the recent hit 'How Long' Joe Walsh mimes to the solo played on the record by Smith. Sad and pathetic - and speaks volumes...
I would agree that the Eagles are nothing without Henley & Frey. However, as another reviewer pointed out, their songwriting contributions would have been remunerated via royalty payments. If this was a band, then as far as performers' earnings go, its only fair that the money be divided 5 equal ways.
An example is the new guitarist Smith. He is not a member of the band and is offically a sideman - with obviously less remuneration than the four members of the Eagles. Obviously the Eagles have sufficient stature to make it worthwhile for him to stick with that job, . However at the time Felder joined, he was drafted in as a full fledged member (and indeed left a job as a sideman to join the Eagles).
He obviously had a valid and legally defensible point - and this is obviously reflected in the the fact that Henley and Frey paid him a handsome settlement figure...
As a guitarist, Felder is in the league of Steve Lukather of Toto, but despite the sheer melodic content of his playing, remains inexplicably undersung, even in Guitar magazines...I've never understood that...
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What a guy!
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This is a good book and you just know that Don Felder is being honest throughout. He is such a nice man and I really felt for him and the way hat he has allegedly been treated by messrs Henley and Frey. Don Felder was the hard edge of the Eagles and the man that brought real Rock n Roll into their otherwise Country Rock existence. Personally, I prefered the Country Rock version but I am glad it was Don Felder that transformed the sound of the band, and jettisoned them into the Rock n Roll stratosphere and to where they are now. One of the band comes out of this book in a very poor light indeed and on a par with Elton Johns "Tantrums and Tiara's" saga. Maybe as I suspect, this marks the end of the Eagles anyway. The writing is on the wall and band members are soon to embark upon their solo projects. Perhaps the Eagles has run it's course for good and only time will tell. In the meantime Don Felder is wasted playing golf and needs to get back on the road with other artists. He is one of the worlds foremost guitarists and The Eagles has not been nor ever will be the same again without him.
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BUY IT!!!!111111111111
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A fantastic read, I'm a casual reader of books and I'm not a huge fan of The Eagles, but I could not put this book down!!!
If your muso like myself, it's great as Don goes into some detail about guitars and playing.
Knocks spots of Clapton's and Ronnie Woods bio's.
BUY IT!!!!!
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Riveting and Honest.
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This is possibly the best autobiography I have ever read (and i've read a few!). It gives an extremely detailed account of both the life and times of the Eagles and also Felder's own life. The former is predictably compelling and is why most people will read the book but Felder's account of his own life is an added bonus, enhanced by his honesty and his willingness to freely 'bare his soul' about his life experiences. While Felder doesn't deny or hide his resentment about the subordinate way he feels he was treated in the Eagles, he proves more than willing to highlight his own shortcomings and, crucially, is generous in acknowledging the positive features of those who he feels treated him poorly (namely Frey and Henley). The end result is that a subjective account of his life and times in the Eagles somehow seems quite objective and is pleasantly free of the bias and bitterness that some might expect the book to contain.
Felder's thoughtful analysis of his own character and those of the people central to his life is a standout feature. His steadfast view that Eagle profits continue to be spread equally among the band members is debatable given the level of his (and Walsh and Schmidt's) contribution relative to that of Frey and Henley. However since those two were additionally rewarded for their contributions by royalty payments, Felder may well have a point. Frey and Henley are unlikely to lay out the welcome mat for Felder's return to the Eagles but this book can give them no cause for complaint.
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Checked out but can never leave - must read for Eagles fans
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Most of the other reviewers have said it already - the book is a must read for Eagles fans and I found it very compelling!!! It doesn't matter whether you're a Felder fan or not (I am because of the music he wrote) just read it. He doesn't promise objectivity (but nor should he - since autobiographies are personal stories). Yes, he dishes the dirt on Henley and Frey and all it does is cement what others have said about them anyway (but from a very reliable source I'd say). So as far as I can see there's no inconsistancy there compared to other books - like Randy Miesner's veiws expressed in Mark Shapiro's book. The tone is neither bitter or condescending and he does acknowledge how incredibly lucky his life is given he started out dirt poor.
His account of Joe Walsh (much as I adore Joe's talent) is not surprising and seemingly accurate given my brief experience with Joe. I met Joe some 20 years ago when he was still an alkie and playing solo, teaching music, etc. Nice guy, humble, very talented and whitty - but not the sort who would stand up for himself least of all for Felder. I have not met Felder, but the persona he projects seems to tie in with the writing in the book; low key, humble and balanced. Not surprisingly why he and Joe got on so well (and presumably still do now the litigation is all over).
In some ways the non-Eagles stuff was more interesting. The account of his freindships with Stephen Stills, Duane Allman, Bernie Leadon and Graham Nash, to name a few - all of who have increased respect from me since reading the book (not that they didn't anyway) as fantastically talented muscians but also decent people. The pre-Eagles antics as a 60's hippie, Woodstock, and living with Flow had me in stitches of laughter, so much so I missed my train stop and was late to work (doh).
The 70's stuff was interesting in that it was consistant with what was happening in the industry at the time and from Felder's view being thrust into that and how he did (or didn't, as the case was in many instances) cope is a testament to the character that comes through. Felder survived in the Eagles for so long because he loved the music and put up with so much. Contrast that to Bernie Leadon, who was a strong fiesty character (rather than taking Felder's laid back approach) and see what happened to poor Bernie. Even mild mannered Randy Miesner cracked in the end. Such a huge price for all three to pay for being an integral part of such immense talent.
The latter years were a little sad (unsurprisingly) and the last chapter is heavily edited - apparently to get it through the scrutiny of the lawyers just so it could be printed. But at least it ended in a positive and uplifting manner. Despite coming across as underappreciated and undervalued, I found the lack of rancour refreshing and am pleased he has moved on. It's just sad to think that fans will not see him play that doubleneck Hotel California solo any more..., maybe someday they will "officially" release on DVD some clips of Felder playing an "electric" version of Hotel California.
Maybe there was just too much talent?
One thing is for certain - as nearly all the other reviewers rightly said - Felder's addition to the Eagles elevated them musically and his contribution should not be underestimated. The Eagles finest moments were during the years 1974-1977 (On the Border, One of These Nights and Hotel California), the Felder years. The new album does not stack up musically. As an ex-studio techie/sound engineer, it seems to me over-produced and lacking something (ooopmh).
I was never prepared to pay to see Don Henley or Glenn Frey perform as solo acts (only Joe stands up as a solo act in my books) but as a "whole band" the Eagles are pure magic and I've been hooked on them as a group since I first heard Don Felder on the radio (back in 1976) promoting "that" guitar solo for One of These Nights during their world tour. THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS - so true.
A great read and I recommend it to all fans.
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