Will the Eagles Invite Don Felder Along for Their Farewell Tour?  

Eagles aren’t the same without Felder.

Don Felder was the best musician the Eagles ever had in the band. His playing elevated their music to a higher level on every song. He wrote the music to 'Hotel California' perhaps the Eagles greatest song. Don had to fight to get credit for that song and was denied credit on many of the Eagles songs.

Most of us won't be able to afford a good seat at an Eagles farewell concert. That's OK...you can get a ticket to see Don Felder with his band and have a very good facsimile of an Eagles concert at a fraction of the cost. I've seen Felder twice and he puts on an AWESOME concert!

The Eagles became a tour d force when Felder joined. Joe Walsh was icing on the cake. Without Felder, it’s the Joe Walsh show. With Felder, it’s the Eagles. Nothing compares to Walsh/Felder guitars in the same band.

His physical appearance on stage was underrated .Great guitarist as well.

I just bought tickets to see Don Felder at Bethel Woods in August. I will applaud extra loud for all of us 😊

Not a chance, Henley will never let it happen.

That was a spot on take on this whole ridiculous situation. Henley has the power to give the fans the best possible version of the Eagles for one last time.. Unfortunately, as you said due to his ego, that will never happen because it will take the limelight away from him. And , heaven forbid, he will have to share more money!

Any lifelong Eagles fan such as myself would love to see Felder back! Probably won't happen, but I'll still keep the faith.

You are missing so much about the Eagles. Don Felder took them from a soft rock country band into Rock n' Roll, which widened their fan base exponentially. He had a CONTRACT that they were all equal members of the band. But Frey, Henley and their MANAGER were "cooking the books" and spending a lot of $$$$$ on themselves. As a CFO Felder asked questions and was fired. Also, Don Henley was such an egomaniac he got upset when Joe Walsh & Don Felder did guitar solos and had fun dancing around, because the CAMERA was not on Don Henley. Don Henley did not like them getting attention. He decreed that they couldn't dance on stage. Don Henley also harassed Glen Frey to the point where Glen Frey took it out on the stage hands, roadies and other band members, calling them rude pet names. You completely leave all these FACTS out!

Someone said something like “Nobody sucks the fun out of a room as fast as Don Henley” Henley had a solo album with a song about ‘little tin gods’… Sounds like an autobiography!🤣

I had an uncle that was a big time promoter in the 70’s, 80’s, and 90’s. Anyway he once told me that Don Henley was “very greedy”, and by far the most difficult musician he had ever negotiated with, and said he wasn’t a very good person. He also said that Irving Azoff (the Eagles manager) was plain wicked. It’s funny that they treated Felder that way, because he wrote the music for the best Eagles song ever. Hotel California.

I don’t see it happening, but if this is actually it, Felder, Leadon and Meisner should all be included and Vince Gil out.

Team Felder here.

Spot on Michael. It’s amazing how sheer greed gets in the way. Band were never the same once Felder left, at least in my eyes.

I'm in two minds. If it were to happen then I'd be all for it. While Don Felder and The Eagles seemingly haven't needed each other over the past 20 years, there has though, for my ears been something rather lacking in their sound since they threw "Fingers" out with the trash. So, if for no other reason, it would be great to have Don Felder back with them to have a good ending to the story and it would be fantastic to have that combination of Don Felder and Joe Walsh together again!!

Can you imagine what the ticket prices would be? No thanks.

I heard somewhere that Don Henley is always angry at something, an attitude you grew up with can never be changed. And this will continue with Don Henley, Felder is not coming back even for just one concert or even one song in a concert.

Very well said brother!!! Oh how awesome it would be to see those guys on stage again!!

Don Felder’s melodic solos were just as much responsible for making Eagles songs hits, as the lyrics and verse/chorus melodies written by Frey and Henley. It’s a crime that Felder didn’t get writing credits.

Notwithstanding all the infighting over the years, the Band should have packed up the van, so to speak after Glenn's passing. The sound of the Eagles is not, and will never be the same without him especially the glorious vocal harmony between Henley and Frey. Of course money creates the path for all venture, sadly. Some things should be left alone to rest peacefully and rightfully with time, and gracefully into music history. Enjoyed the post, Michael! Cheers!

' I hate the eagles,man!' The Dude abides.

Remember what Henley said when Frey died ? It’s Glenn’s band the Eagles are done. But the lure of big money was enough to change his mind. How about Paul and Ringo get together with Julian and Dhani for a Beatles farewell tour?

I see what you did there, Michael. 😄 Felder’s never coming back imo. It’d be a cool thing to do, but Henley’s always been an ornery and egocentric cuss. I don’t see him ever extending an olive branch, not even for one guest appearance. I guess fans really don’t come first. I agree with you about the touring revenue here. On the road, everyone makes the same sacrifices, so the rewards should be more evenly split (if you’re a real band, not a corporation, which is what the Eagles became). Felder’s big mistake was allowing himself to be sweet talked by that snake Azoff and agreeing to terms in the first place. Azoff clearly prioritized Don and Glen’s interests. Once Felder agreed to terms, he had no right complaining from that point on. He should have held firm as he had leverage at first since the band really needed him due to Walsh still dealing with addiction issues. Felder was the steady glue that held those early reunion shows together.

Love the Eagles, they are why I started playing guitar when I saw them on the Midnight Special show in the early 70s. But.....(there's always a but..) as others have commented. Henley would never bring his ego down enough to let Felder tour with them unfortunately.

Totally agree with everything you said in this vid - concise and to the point, my man. Yes, if egos were taken out of the equation then things would be a lot simpler. These guys are towards the end of their active careers and just need to get over all this nonsense and go out with grace.

Great video. Felder is one of my favourite guitarists. The Eagles wouldn't have gotten so big without Felder, he co-wrote their biggest hit Hotel California after all.

Amazing way to express yourself 👏🏻 thank you for supporting what should have to be done

I saw one of their farewell tours in 94 or 95 I thought.. either way. I won't be going to another.

Being a lifelong Joe Walsh fan, my viewpoint is that the Eagles hit super stardom when he joined on the Hotel California album. His clean guitar playing is in all the hits from that point forward. He and Don Felder sound great together and I would love to see a reunion.

Hey Michael...I love your channel. We refer to you a lot on my podcast. 🤘😎 In the eagles documentary, Frey and Henley came across as total pricks to Felder. I don't think that I am alone in saying that Henley will never let him back in. So this so called "reunion" will be Henley and his friends jerking him off to his own greatest hits. Quite frankly it's shameful.

The Eagles. Coming to a nursing home near you.

It would be amazing to think that Don Felder could be part of this last tour and that all the past animosity could be buried. But worry that this will be a Henley-led farewell with no real chance of Felder being part of it. Let's hope it's about the music and taking it to the limit, one more time(damn you've got me at it now).

Love to see Bernie, Randy and Don, do their own Eagle show ... Certainly be as authentic as Henleyz, and guaranteed, Walsh would jump ship easily! Now that would be a 'peaceful easy feeling' of a show to watch!

I remember when the Eagles were called “ The corporate” band. And that was in the 1970s.

It’s hard to be a fan of an egotistic musician when you get to know him. Especially when you realize just how much of his success had to do with other people’s involvement. Everybody could do with a little humility. I have no respect for people who enjoy great success in life and become insufferable assholes..👨🏻

Michael…This goes beyond Napster. Glen and Don wanted to basically turn Don Felder into a “hired hand” which had intense financial ramifications. For example, if in 1994 when “The Eagles” regrouped Don Felder agreed to accept the Glen and Don get the lion’s share and Don gets less Don Felder may put into jeopardy his being a full member of “The Eagles.” Don went along with the new arrangement after 1994 but over a few years he was never getting any answers from Glen, Don or management about his situation. Only when he filed suit did the matter get resolved and his vast investment in “The Eagles” get protected. Don Felder reviews all of this in his book “Heaven and Hell : My Life With the Eagles.” Great book for “Eagles” fans.

I so agree with you, but, the problem is greed. And for what? These guys are worth so much money, they will never spend what they have already. What they would make on the last tour would make no difference whatsoever in their lifestyle. But I guess grudges are more important than friendship. Sad really. You listenin' Henley? But you are so right. What a show that could be to just get all the past members on that stage would be phenomenal!! They could pull off some of the best concerts in history. You listenin' Henley?

Felder recently said that he's open to it--he left any bitterness behind upon publication of his book. It would be nice for the fans to see that reunion, but really, why? And so what? Good stuff as always, Michael.

You’ve got me with tears in my eyes here, Michael. Since being ‘introduced’ to The Eagles and their timeless songs in the early seventies, I’ve always been a huge fan and eventually got to realise my dream of seeing them ‘live’ in 2008 at the O2 in London, UK. My son had just been born in February and the concert was in March, so a bit of a dilemma! Needless to say, The Eagles won ! Then the opportunity arose, which I obviously I took, to see them again, along with my eldest daughter (I saw her as she lived in Birmingham!) at the NEC in Birmingham,UK, in 2014! Then, some friend mentioned that they were playing at the Leeds Arena, 2019, UK….so because I now have ( 2019) an eleven year old boy who was literally brought up on the Eagles songs, we bought tickets and watched the concert! My son, who can comfortably play many Eagles songs on his guitar, was totally overawed that we were there….he just kept repeating....’Joe Walsh…I’m actually watching Joe Walsh’! An experience that he will never, ever forget! Anyway, it would be absolutely brilliant if the Eagles, past and present, could, for at least a few months, forget their ‘differences’ and just work towards producing a show that will be forever remembered by their lifelong fans! They need to remember that, at their age, they could be ‘yesterday’s news’ tomorrow….a few mentions for a few days in a few (dozen) papers! We all have our personal ‘attitudes towards others’…..but ,if we ‘suspended’ our bias for just one day…(and I’m the biggest hypocrite on Earth for even suggesting that!)…then I know that, perhaps a small gesture, an acknowledgment of past achievements, WILL go a long way to easing historical tensions! Take it easy, guys and gals!

Michael you also have to remember that the Eagles during their reunion tour, “Hell freezes over” they were the first band ever to charge $100 a ticket for some seats … and that’s not even for the best seats in the house…And that was BEFORE the entire Napster thing and the excuse to charge higher prices to make up for nobody buying records anymore.

Just discovered your channel & love your straight talk! Im a fan. Thank you for speaking the truth! Love & miss Randy, he will always be in my heart! 💔💯🙏🏼

Great breakdown of the history, and even better advice on what should happen now. SUBSCRIBED

Don Felder and Randy and Bernie were real Eagles - not Joe Walsh

Hey Brother Michael, Just wanted to let you know that I love your work and I've subscribed two or three times. I re subbed on the Randy Meisner video this AM. I'm wondering if the overlords at 'Tube are up to no good. Thanks for maintaining the rock n roll hair.....I dig it! Thanks again Michael! John from Tennessee

Big Don, he did write the music to their biggest song & one of the most popular songs on rock music history which would be Hotel California

Actually I’m going to be seeing Don Felder this summer in Batavia New York. As an autograph collector I hope I get some Eagles stuff signed

Like most huge groups…it started out so fresh & simple. Just watch them at CalJam ‘74. Although Felder was a great addition. Michael I hope you cover the original California Jam someday. I’ll bet many of your younger audience are completely unaware of that awesome show…often bizarrely overshadowed by Woodstock/Monterey Pop/Live Aid/Altamont/Isle of Wright etc Your take on that incredible show would be terrific!🤘

Great points. I like the line “More of a replacement than any of the replacements’ Good stuff!

Henley's stuck with his (and Frey's) jerkhood, and I doubt Felder would have anything to do with it. Saw a fairly recent vid of the Vince Gill-Steuart Smith-Deacon Frey lineup. Sounded good -- for an Eagles Tribute. In an artistic/ethical context, Henley would do better by his legacy if he just quietly put the act out of its misery, but he's gonna flog that dead horse until there's nothing left.

Hell won't freeze over twice unless DH can live up to the lyrics of his own song Forgiveness.

It must be unbearable working with Don Henley.

Another Farwell tour...ah. who cares. So over all the those again and again Farwell tours..you guys can have it

Don Henley's ego is HUGE! Glenn and Don screwed Don Felder no doubt. So truly the ONLY original member left is Don Henley! All the rest are just as you said Michael, hired guns! Also, look at the ticket prices to see the Eagles. $700 for middle seats! Cheap seats are $250. They are ripping the fans off. BUT, if the fans are willing to pay it, then why not take it. As you said, it is about the buck. They had to get rid of Folder somehow. But rest assured my friend. It irks Henley to no end that the most popular song that they ever recorded and the most requested is "Hotel California" which Felder wrote the music to. And that my friend pisses Don Henley off each and every time they play it as the closing song in concert. Just a quick note Michael. I do so enjoy your channel and comments. You have a unique perspective on things as you ARE a musician AND a fan. You are honest in your words and true to reality. My compliments and admiration go to you my friend. God bless you!!!!

Good one, Bro!

I was never a fan. Today they would be country. Don Felder taught Tom Petty how to play the guitar. Interesting fun-fact. Joe Walsh solo...stellar. Don Henley had a few good songs for sure. Mike Campbell wrote Boys Of Summer for Petty but he passed on it.

How many farewell tours have they had?😅

Will?? When Hell Freeze's Over!! Between Don Felder's "almost" tell-all book and his undisclosed Eagles Lawsuit Settlement, which combined is rumored around $50 million, I wouldn't feel too sorry for him if not invited.

Thanks Michael for the in depth video about my favourite band

If they're going to turn back the clock then they should lower their ticket prices by 90%. They should just get over their egos and call themselves the Beagles. They can tour the world and hand out copyright strikes to people doing cover versions of their songs and cry about the good ole days when their record company could bribe radio stations to play their music. They could also rename themselves after the line Gram Parsons bestowed upon them.

I agree with you about Vince Gill, as Vince Gill, solo artist he is the shiznit. Excellent songwriting, lead playing and singing, par excellence. With the Eagles just not enough grit and angst.

Well said and share your view.

I always thought it sucked the way they (Henley and Frey) treated Joe Walsh. When they did the Hell Freezes Over reunion tour, Don and Glen made it clear they were THE EAGLES and the other three were hired hands. Their rational was that they were the two that had strong solo careers so they deserved the lion's share. Joe Walsh was a popular and well respected player long before he joined The Eagles. Most fans credit Joe for bringing real balls to the band. I always felt he deserved better treatment, but Joe's been loyal to the leaders (like you pointed out about his treatment of Felder) so there you go.

Don Felder admits he was the one who opened the door (and offered the final straw) to get fired. He questioned how Don and Glen were spending the band’s money. Felder wanted more accountability. Henley was thinking “who do you think you are”?

In order for Felder to temporarily join the Eagles Corporation for the quote “final” tour, he would have to accept whatever contract Henley and Irving cooked up. Never say never but the odds of that happening are not good. Felder doesn’t want to get low balled which is why he’s no longer part of the “brand” in the first place.

I doubt Felder would ever get on stage with Henley. He's too good a musician who has his own deal going too well. Henley is too wrapped up in himself.

I agree with you 100% You’re Spot on!

Steurt Smith as a brilliant guitarist, has been with the Eagles for many years and is not regarded as one of them. Felder was and is a brilliant guitarist and singer. Be great to see him return for at least one gig.

Great great video. I agree with you on this stuff. Henley has to know what the fans really want. But does he care?

Not a chance "the Gods" (Henley and Frey) screwed hm over royally, tried to rob him and kept him tied up in court for over a decade. Walsh (who is just an employee, not an Eagle) just said something to the effect of "sucks to be you, man" when they dropped the bomb on him. I wouldn't piss on any of them if they were on fire.

Beautiful and accurate commentary, Michael. But for me, personally: no Glenn Frey, no Eagles. I'll pass on their latest goodbye.

Felder is a critical part of the Eagles band.

I so agree with Michael Noland , Glenn and Don's egos were the major part of this band , Vince Gil , is a great musician , but has no business being an Eagle , Deacon covers his father flawlessly , as much as Jason Bonham could have surely done with Zeppelin , and the beef with Felder needs to end and needs to be back in the line-up , Timothy B. Schmit was a replacement and although a great bassist and musician , was no Randy Misner ( Take it to the Limit , R.I.P.)

Lifelong Eagles fan and you are a million percent correct. Mend fences. Reunite. Go out the right way. If Randy is well enough to sit through a show give him a priority seat in the house. Bring back Felder and Bernie. Now that would be a show to see.

RIP Randy Meisner

Great video Michael and I totally agree!@ I have been a Felder fan for a lot of years and also Deacon has done a great job with the Eagles!! But the there is Henley and his damn ego!!!!

Right on....can't argue with any of that

"We don't talk about song-writing at that point, we talk about a damn good show." Trouble is, that's not how I understand the music industry to work. I believe most contracts stipulate that song-writers receive a portion of the take, a royalty, for each time a given song is played on the radio, on RU-vid--or other media, or performed live. If that's so, Frey and Henley would be well within their legitimate bounds to require payment for their works being performed. You can't have a damn good show if you don't have material to perform.

I have not listened to them since Don Left.. I went to 2 Hell Freezes over shows. 1st one at RFK Stadium with Cheryl Crow. Wolf Man Jack was in the front row and the brought him up on stage.. It was the best....

You are spot on

I've never been an Eagles fan. They had some good songs, but not enough for me to waste my money to see them or buy any of their albums. And after all these years, i still can't understand Joe Walsh playing in the band. And i don't believe this will be their last tour. How many times has Kiss retired?

Don and Glenn’s motto… change a word, get a third

The Current Eagles, are nothing more than a really really good cover band. No Felder, No Leadon , and so sad to think, no Randy Meisner.. That was the classic and best sounding version of the band. Frey, Henley, Leadon, Felder, Meisner... that is the lineup I think of. Now it's just a money grab. You nailed it when you said Greedy Don and Glen. If you watched the Eagles Documentary, you realized Don and Glen were just nothing more than money hungry ego maniacs. Joe Walsh threw Felder under the bus, even after Don Felder was a great friend to him, and helped him through recovery. Walsh would not even play on Felders album, when asked. Lost a lot of respect for that guy.

I met him backstage a few years ago. Great guy! Very handsome! Don Henley is way to much of an ass to ever agree to that.

Totally agree!

Two of the biggest reasons bands fall apart are egos and greed. Sad but unfortunately true

It doesn't matter that Felder wrote his book. Frey and Henley were done with him before the book and there was no turning back. Thats how it is with people like that. Its their way or the highway. Felder couldn't bring himself to that even if it meant he would have stayed in the band. They mightve killed each other at some point for sure. Its really sad that it went that way. Happened with many groups. Now if they all followed zztops example..............theyd still be together till death do they part.

SORRY READ HIS BOOK HE WAS BROUGHT ON AS A FULL PARTNER HAS A CONTRACT.

Geffen used to refer to Henley as "the Golden Throat", his voice sold records. After that, he was not a great person. Frey & Henley never got over Felder writing the bulk of the track Hotel California, hence his part in providing the corner stone of their greatest album & to top it off, not allowing Felder to sing Victim of Love was probably their way of putting Felder in his place, as they saw it. He wrote it, Henley stole it & recorded it while Frey took Felder out to lunch. A decent human being would invite Felder onto the farewell tour & let him sing lead vocals on Victim of Love.... but they are in short supply these days.

That’s what fans may want but no matter what the lineup is or isn’t every show will sell out. But hey dreaming is free!

Robert Plant must look at the current state of the Eagles and think, “This is why I say no to reunion tours.” That’s a band in the loosest sense of the term. It’s more like an egomaniacal cash grab. If Don Henley truly cares about legacy and the legion of Eagles fans, he would definitely call Don Felder, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon and invite them to take one last trip around the country as the Eagles. Will he? I highly doubt it. But he should.

You broke it down perfectly! Money ,drugs and booze destroys everything.

There is no Eagles without Glenn Frey since his passing this has just been about charging big money.

The last concerts in june here I saw in Europe, was a disappointment with all these hired 7/8 musicians, there only was ONE ORIGINA EAGLE ,Don H. It was NO EAGLES CONCERT AT ALL. It was not succeeded without the real Eagles!!!

IMHO This great band should hang it up due to the lack of Glen Fry...Best American band ever though.

Felder is the man...

I agree. I’d only go see it if Felder was back and Gill was dumped.

If it did happen, I’m sure it would be some kind of dysfunctional event, similar to Steve Perry and Journey, where he likely wouldn’t even perform with the rest of the band members. But I don’t know why Felder would even care. He’s done pretty well by himself and probably doesn’t need the drama.

What number final tour is this one?

Don Felder was brought in to give the band a heavier sound , a little more rock and roll.