The Story of How "Hotel California" by the Eagles was Written & Recorded - Don Felder 

NG B me too! Every time I go to work it kicks me into work mode!

It’s because they don’t talk about Don Felder at all lol. They moved on and were busy forging forwards. Meisner couldn’t handle fame. Great musician. Not a good rock star. You need grit and resilience to get to the level Henley and Frey reached. It’s not just the music. That’s the easy part.

@@reubination what I said is they never talk nice about him, if you go watch their interviews they are always bad mouthing Don Felder that is not moving on in fact they suck without him

His niceness shows alot of his character...Henley and Frye really screwed him over big....and is sad that Henley/Frye helped ruin his friendship with Walsh

@@marilynskrepich3238 I absolutely agree, you know when he wrote the guitar parts for “Hotel California” he did it with Joe in mind, what he may play as well as playing off each other. He is an awesome musician and person would love to meet him.

Yep

Turn to stone,👍

It is a very good duel. But not the best . They took this idea from the originators of this technique, Wishbone Ash, who their producer saw in a studio. You want great guitar, check them out

Without a doubt, the best guitar duel ever, never to be equaled!

Dickey Betts and Duane Allman on Blue Sky.

blue sky, in memory of elizabeth reed at fillmore east, legendary stuff.

Thanks for sharing your comments Rocker..... Joe

Me too!

Me the same. He said he had it on his laptop and said he would play it. I wonder why they didn’t

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Zone... Best, Joe

Thanks for watching it...Joe

Hi John.... Actually I never heard it either due to Don having to perform after our interview and his laptop was at his hotel. I also am pretty sure your right too about sharing over the internet. I don’t think he ever meant anything other than playing it for me after the interview was over. Thanks for watching... Joe

I was looking forward to hearing that tape he mentioned he was gonna play. Kind of left it as a cliffhanger...

Thanks for watching Valerie....Joe

Thanks for your love and support👋👋

@@joewalsh6633 what you bring is all the funk. Your style is the biggest part. Thank you for your love of music. I couldn't thank you enough. The Eagles. Always my pick.🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹♥️

@@joewalsh6633 your badass.

@@Bla1898 Hi i just wanted to thank you again for being so supportive and following me on my Journey. I love inspiring and encouraging others. People like you help me to keep showing up! Hope you are having an amazing day. it's nice to be able to satisfy you my fans if l may ask dear how long have you been my fan and where are you from..

I agree dphotos... thanks for watching....Joe

If you're musically inclined, the songs chords alternate between a 5th and minor 3rd, 5th and minor 3rd

@just me Yeah, I also liked Ian's response about the song sounding like "We Used To Know"

Their stellar live performaces certainly didn't hurt either. 👍

hi Kevin, from what I’ve heard it’s just a story about the decadent lifestyle that was prevalent with the rich and famous in Los Angeles back in the 70s with all the drugs and sex that was available. Nothing more or less. Best... Joe

Thanks for watching Jason...Joe

A description of dying and going to Hell, you can check out any time you please BUT YOU CAN NEVER LEAVE!

Ronald Fields thanks, I appreciate that, there are a few different explanations and theories out there but this one sounds the most accurate, thanks 🍄

I've always thought it and "life in the fast lane" were both about vices and their power.

...With a Mission 🔔 Bell, this could be Heaven or this could be Hell...

Watch the Netflix story of the eagles.. You'll find out

Thanks Mag… Joe

Moises... I feel the same way... Best, Joe

Josey Wales Jodee... Don doesn’t want to share it with the public yet. Thanks for watching. Best, Joe

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Therese....Joe

I think there's actually a video somewhere on You Tube showing Don sitting on a white couch, sans shirt, and playing the HC guitar parts... He mentioned that it was a rented house in LA too.....

Jethro Tulls house it was

Bill ...... Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts.... Joe

I know exactly what he means. He tracked the melodies on the demo without spending any time crafting them. The fact that the final result featured those near-exact original ideas - at Henley’s insistence - is perfectly consistent with the point he was making about spontaneity. He came across as surprisingly humble to be honest.

Thanks for watching Tim....Joe

Everything by the Eagles is copyright locked down on RU-vid. They can't play it here. 03-10-2020.

@@brianevolved2849 I'm a Tull fan for 50 years. "We Used To Know" was never one of my favorites. But as to ripping them off: 1 - Felder wasn't in the Eagles when they played with Tull and claims he had never heard that obscure song. It was not a hit in the USA 2 - You can't copyright a chord progression (basically true, though maybe not 100% true) 3 - Ian Anderson himself said that chord progression was probably used by someone else before he used it

He is one with his axe. He plays the audience and $ nice add on. Heck he'd probably play for free. He deserves much more notice then received. One of the Eagle's best choices ever.

@@reubination The man is a multi millionaire and doesn't have to play for anyone. He does it for the love of music and his fans. Don't be such a jack wagon.

The collaborative process of writing, recording and producing records is so fascinating.

That would’ve been a great concert. You and the other people must’ve been in seventh heaven. And yes, I’m envious. lol

Unfortunately Frey thinks only himself and Henley contribute anything and trash talk about anyone and everyone else

Are you as surprised as I am to find that the band was never called *The* Eagles?

I think its the other way around. Both of them are nothing before and after the Eagles.

@@assitch6693 You mean you think Frey and Henley were as strong musically as Felder and didn't need his skills? Seriously?

@@integral Do you know that the highest grossing album of the eagles is "Their Greatest hits"? The songs from that album were produced before Felder joined the Eagles. No one can deny Felder is an exceptional player, even Henley can attest to that. But being a good player does not mean one can compose great music all by himself. Yes, he did started some eagles songs but it was the magic of Henley and Frey made them great. Felder himself said that. Felder did not have any success with his solo effort even with the help of other famous musicians while Henley and Frey are very successful with their solo careers.

@@assitch6693 It's a greatest hits album, of course it will sell more. Their best studio album was with Felder in the band.

@@hernanbusso1609 My point is that the Eagles were already big before Felder joined. Plus Long road out of Eden made 7x Platinum without Felder

It was awesome to watch them play together! The magic wasn't there for Walsh/Smith.

Right up there with the Free Bird guitar triple solos!!!👍👍👍

Yes, they played and perfected the guitars for 3 days before final recording..such dedicated musicians

My two favourite solos of all time hotel and watchtower

Agreed,,, just the Best

I read his book. This interview is phony as hell.

Ken Russell Can you elaborate?

He is very warm and fun to listen to

@@kenrussell1093 9 months later still waiting on an elaboration

@@kenrussell1093 justify, okay!

"You can check out anytime you like but can never leave" for some reason always reminded me of Jack Nicholson at the end of The Shining when he's on that picture dated in the 1920s

Mo Betta me too! Because it’s about a hotel in Hollywood that’s famous for Pedophelia and Satanic Rituals😈

I thought I heard Joe Walsh say it wasn’t a hotel, it was California. As for you can check out but can never leave i think it’s a reference to being addicted to drugs. You can die of an OD anytime, but you can never quit.

@@teribell1597 not according to an interview with Joe Walsh...."everyone was coming to cali to get discovered or play with great musicians. the hotel was cali itself

@@brianevolved2849 Yes, that's the one...the original. Thanks for linking.

It was at Lipham Music on Saturday morning. Tommy came in at 10:00, my lesson was at 10:30. Way back then Don wasn’t famous yet. We hung out at the music store all the time. He was 4 years older than us and really had no reason to humor us. We had no money to buy expensive guitars and we were all just learning our first chords. Don charged $10.00 for a 30 minute lesson. Taught me the minor pentatonic scale. Don was always very giving of his time and talent.

Kenneth Player that is cool as shit

It would have been nice if Tom Petty had turned out to be a good guitar player. But instead he became a titan of mediocrity. His music and vocals are the middle bun in a Big Mac. Billions sold, but not very good.

John Case The middle bun in a Big Mac. 👍🏻 Comment - - - stolen Shame? - - - none whatsoever

John Case Is that why he sold millions then? If he was mediocer (in your view) then why aren’t you and I famous? I’ve been playing for over 20 years. I master all songs by the guitar Gods your Claptons, Hendrixes, who not? I have a computer hard-disk full of ideas I’ve never heard elsewhere. You can even whistle me a song for 3 sec and I will in most cases understand the entire song structure. I don’t know you or if you even play but maybe you are good too. So why aren’t we famous? Because talent is 10% the other 90 is soooooooooooooooooooooo being lucky and being at the right place at the freaking right millisecond.

you're half right.

He is very well credited on Hotel California. His name is the first one to be mentioned. Unfortunately, he wants all the credit.

Of course he did. He is credited as co writer because he made the riff, those two guys wrote the lyrics, and ALL OF THEM eagles performed it

On the original Album Under song writing credits for the song Hotel California ( Not the album as a whole, just the song ) Don Felder's name is first in the list of credited writers.. On the reissues since he was fired his name is now last in the list of credited writers for Hotel California..

@@georgehgordy1690 And that's an example of why Frey and Henley were/are______ I'm confident most people can fill in the blank.

@@Zoetropeification In 1980 Don Felder was the scapegoat for the dislike or hate Frey & Henley felt towards each other of that there is no doubt... The group needed a break coming off Hotel California but they let the record label push them back in the studio to record another album, but the record label didn't have to push too hard because Frey & Henley wanted to be in the biggest band in the world and now that they were they had to maintain it ( Keep feeding the monster ) But Frey felt like he was losing control of his band to Henley, so now the jealousy & resentment starts to set in... Don Henley was vividly aware of both of those things.. Because the record label is pushing for more single's sung by Henley and that meant less singles by Frey... Add Joe & Tim to the mix ( 2 really good singers and musicians ) and you have a leader of a band ( Meaning Frey owning Eagles limited ) with an ego as fragile as egg shells... Frey never knew how to confront Henley face to face ( After the Eagles broke up Frey & Henley would attack each other through the the press, like interviews with the Rolling Stone or magazines of that nature ) The long night at wrong beach was the excuse Frey was looking for to take his anger & frustrations out on Don... Since he didn't have the balls to do it to Henley The next Don ( Felder ) in line would do just fine... Someone saying it's nice to meet you that you don't know and you saying it's nice to meet you too and as they're walking away say " I guess " is just not a valid excuse to start a fight of that magnitude and break up the Eagles, I'm sorry it's just not... Frey said tension had been boiling but that night at long beach with Felder was the tipping point and that's what broke up the band! Okay if that has any ounce of truth to it why was it Henley that said when asked if the Eagles would get back together " When Hell Freezes Over " ? Henley and Frey had issues Sigmund Freud couldn't even understand... I like Glenn Frey but along with being one of the greatest singer songwriters to have ever lived he was also a complete horses ass.. Also knowing the type of person Glenn Frey was, his dying wish was probably " Never let Don Felder back in my band " & Don Henley with bucket of issues in hand probably said " You have my word that will never happen " There now you have my 2 cents

@@georgehgordy1690 That is Frey & Henley for you. At the time they knew there would be no HC without Felder, as it was his song musically from top to bottom. The first name is always considered the person who contributed to the song the most, and then it goes in descending order. Frey and Henley did the lyrics for HC, but on other songs they were "add three for a fee", meaning take someone else's song, and at least three words/differences, then get song writing credit. They were very talented, but also ego maniacs and greedy. Felder wrote some music for, and changed a couple of lyrics on "One of these Nights", but didn't ask for song writing credit, which was naive of him. He just wanted to contribute to the group/music, but Frey & Henely were all about the money. Needless to say Leadon, Meisner and Felder all got screwed over by those two, but at least Felder got millions after his lawsuit.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Johnny….Joe

I agree that victim of love is beyond underrated. First time I heard it I assumed it was one of their well known songs, but nope. Barely any recognition

One of the absolute best songs . And yes it's been underrated. Sad

I was looking forward to hearing that demo too! I had no idea he still had it on tape. Amazing. God man, I wish I had a small cassette recorder back in the 80`s , when I was noodling around, and came up with a riff that I knew was special, but after even a few hours ,it had lost some small detail that I had been playing when I first woke up, to the evening when I would try it out on peoples ears. Oh well!

I've heard it. It is his part of the song. And, by the way, also sounds like a nice set of finger exercises. It's a lovely sequence of arpeggios. Certainly better than you'd find in an book for advanced practice. But there was still a lot of writing to do. From watching the Eagles documentary I'd say that each member was expected to contribute their own part to some extent. It's the lyrics and transition and other arranging that seemed to be up to Don and Glen for most pieces. I think he'd had a better argument if he had picked one issue. Instead he was also wanting to take lead singing for one song on that album. Watching the documentary gave me a new perspective on everything that was going on.

Ffs! The most important aspect of the story, mentioned even!!, and they leave it out. I could slap the shit out of someone.

If they'd have played it the video would probably get blocked.

He just seems like a great, happy guy. Someone most people would love to hang out with.

yes he's a real guy not so much the other manipulating clowns like jack bruce.

The best revenge is living well…and rich.

I would so much like to see Don back in the band, he belongs there. Come on, Henley, don't worry about the $$$, you got plenty !!!

What did Henley and Frey do to him?

Are you SURE YOU WOULD WANT TO HAVE BEEN THERE...ITS A MUSICAL ,YET REAL STATE OF A DRUGGED INNERWORLD DEMONIC STATE OF MIND...bb...Ive been to the Hotel in Norco,Calif..The inside hotel had many floors with lines painted on floors which some lines were leading you to DEAD ENDS..TO PREVENT YOU FRM FINDING SECRET ROOMS ..HONESTLY VERY EERIE AND SCARREY.. Rumers were Al Capone had built it and by the way..the LINES WERE ALL DIFFERANT COLORS.....REMEMBER IN THE SONG ITS SAYS YOU MAY ENTER AND NEVER COME BACK OR OUT .....bb

Its weird how some songs just immediately capture you take you to another place. Pure magic!

That's true - he ain't just playing rock or funk or blues, he has his own blend of musicality, a rare gift :)

Don't forget his work on "I can't tell you why" I close my eyes listen to it and make me fell like I am floating.

So heart warming,parkin can you feel the vibrational shock from the music 🎵🎶😄💋💋❤️

they still had to pay him after don's lawsuit against them

@@pjpatrick787 😀😀😀😀 that always makes me happy

@@pjpatrick787 yez don Henley and Glenn Frey threw him out of the eagles because the eagles were making billions on eagles merchandise and don wanted his fair share so he sued Henley and Frey and WON..but they didn't want joe walsh to have nothing to do with don after the lawsuit

itsabig It was because Felder said something to the VIPs that Frey thought sounded vulnerable.

Henley is a greedy disgrace to the music industry.

That’s fucked up, Henley is as great as any of them and has an incredible voice.

Too true Henley is nothing more than a big crybaby

Hi

Not when two of the team are whiny losers like Henley and Frey...

It is known as EGO OVERWHELMING. Unfortunately, EGO has destroyed so many people.

“Fingers Felder”

I’ve read more than a few of “rock stars” autobiography’s and the thing I like most about Felder’s is he still comes across as humble in his book. Yes, there is what a-lot of people would consider “dirt” on the band, but most of it was already well known by the time his book came out, and even after all the issues with Don and Glenn, and after the lawsuit was settled, he still was/is more than willing to forgive and live and let live and honestly miss playing with , and be willing to play with those guys. It’sjust such a shame the other camp didn’t feel that way, wasn’t willing to sit down and talk it over, apologize for any hard feelings , shake hands and be open or willing to play or work with each other again. It’s now to late for Glenn, but Henley could sit down with Felder, let each other get it off there chest and put it behind them. Felder was a huge part of that band. Even if the lyric writers don’t believe it. They haven’t really done squat without him. 😞

@@raywideman7157 -Yes, I agree. The whole time I was reading it I was thinking how humble and believable he sounded.

Ray Wideman i hope you're kidding!!

@@raywideman7157 It's like a marriage that breaks up. Somethings just can't be fixed.

@@raywideman7157 Agree with you

I'm a huge fan of the band, but far and away, Felder and Walsh were my favorites. Henley has great talent as a singer/songwriter, but he's got to be a most miserable human. I don't know that he ever has a good day. IMHO- Frey was a little more tolerable, but man he had a nasty temper, and an oversized ego.

Screwed him over?! They found him, accepted him into the band and made him a multi-millionaire. If only somebody could screw me over like that!

That is purely a matter of opinion. The fact remains that none of us were there so how can any of us really know the truth. Its always laughable to me when someone comments on members of a band like they know them or comment because they saw a documentary where someone said something negative about them. Its all someones point of view. Theres always someone who doesn't feel like they get enough attention.

@@stevenbrown6075 exactly, Frey and Henley were the eagles. It was their band and not Felders.. this was also 40 yrs ago, Frey is gone now unfortunately. and people need to get over the past... unreal

@@jimmccoy8947 Yes, but its the diverse personalities that create the chemistry and therefore the music. You can't pick and choose musically as they are intertwined and essential to each other. Can have your favourite guys who you would like to have a beer with tho😆

SD.... I’m with you. That bugs me too. Thanks for watching...Joe

I heard long ago that they will never play a record without any “talking” because it ruins it for the people recording music from radio.

I’ve heard the same thing but personally I just think DJ’s love to talk to their audience. Best...Joe

He didn't write the song. That was Henley & Frey. Don created the basic format and the guitar tracks. The iconic song was a group effort.

@@jeffsymons4535 Even if Frey and Henley didn't write it? They would say that they did. Henley was the song writer. Frey "co-wrote" and rode on coat tails. Bob Seger encouraged Frey to write songs but in my opinion Frey never really got the knack. Bob Seger sure did.

Without Felder there is no Hotel California. Without Hotel California what are the Eagles?

@@bobbyy.7762 HE DIDN'T WRITE THE SONG! he didn't even start claiming he wrote it until a few years ago!

@@plasticweapon What are you talking about? Felder is listed first on the credits for Hotel California! Don Felder, Don Henley, Glenn Frey. In that order!

He first played the bassline from One Of These Nights :)

@@fusionx4101 I didn't know that. Love the intro to that song.

He seems to have forgotten that he stole the chord structure from a Jethro Tull song.

@@gregurosevic1501 99% of such accusations are absurd. Chord structures are often similar. In the end Hotel California stands on its own. Musicians will always take from each other, to suggest thats a criminal act is ridiculous.

@@gregurosevic1501 Which one?

itai bachar We Used to Know

You can find some of it on the box set

ministerofdarkness how complete that would be for the hotel California tour. But it is what is. Heard he is doing well though.

When he and Joe Walsh play live together it's nothing short of magical. They definitely bring out the best in each other.

ministerofdarkness Then they would really be The Eagles. Fingers is one of the very best ever.

@@909One92 I agree. I would rather see him solo than the Eagles with Vince Gill. Nothing against Gill. He is an extremely talented guitarist and a better singer than Felder. But from what I've heard that magic is just not there between him and Walsh. Especially at the prices they are charging for their tickets for this Hotel California tour.

Mdmchannel I wonder if Azoff has something to do with it as well.

His maid accidentally erased the demo...

There's no demo...

@@johnman3272 His dog ate it....

Me too. What happened?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Bill.... Joe

Joe was great before and after the Eagles.... Don not so much. (Heavy Metal was great! but that's about it)

If you’re 23 (or 24 by now) and you actually mean what you said then you’ve given me some hope for the future of music & youth! 😂😉🙏❤️ RIP to your pop I’m sorry that you didn’t get more time with him❤️🙏

Thank you very much. Very happy you’re enjoying them! Lots more in the can coming your way. Thanks again, Joe