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Bookshelf: Don Felder, “Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)”

Started by popdose · 3 months ago

Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder titled his memoir Heaven and Hell: My Life in The Eagles (1974-2001) in an attempt to sell more copies of the book. Co-written with journalist Wendy Holden, the book is more than the tell-all Felder’s former band feared when they took him to court ... Continue reading »

24 comments

  • DwDunphy

    3 months ago

    One more reason to dislike Frey, aside from his crappy solo output.
    reply
  • Ray

    3 months ago

    fuck you! there is nuthn wrong with glenn frey, he is the founder of the best band on earth!
    reply
  • DwDunphy

    3 months ago

    Glenn Frey was not the founder of The Damned.
    reply
  • kevin markham

    2 months ago

    fuck you ray . they are jumped up bigheaded bastards.
    reply
  • John

    2 months ago

    True, but he is a talentless hack.
    reply
  • Elaine

    3 months ago

    Thanks for this piece. I might actually read the book. Can't say I'm surprised about Henley & Frey. They're such control freaks, they'd probably have tried to stop Felder from writing, even if he was 100% positive. Instead of Frey's awful solo records and Henley's endless political whining, it's good to hear from others in the story. They deserve it.
    reply
  • Malchus

    3 months ago

    It's a pretty quick read, even though it's over 300 pages.
    reply
  • 1Py_Korry1

    3 months ago

    I am so tired of The Eagles, but your review made me see the band a new light. I've listened to their music since I was kid, but I never paid attention to the bios of the individuals members enough to care about the friction between the guys. However, it's interesting to read how "The Gods" are control freaks and complete dicks.
    reply
  • David_E

    3 months ago

    Great post, and I've ordered the book from Amazon based on your write-up.

    Felder's story, from abusive dad to Florida youth to LA dreams to success, sounds a lot like Tom Petty's (and is connected, as it stands, by Bernie Leadon's younger brother Tom, an original member of Mudcrutch).

    And call me apostate, but I like "You Belong To The City." Though I pretend it was written by Joe Piscopo.

    This doesn't take a lot of imagination.
    reply
  • Malchus

    3 months ago

    I like a couple Frey songs, too. "The One You Love", though sappy, is a nice love song, and I have a sentimental spot for "Part of You, Part of Me."

    Petty is mentioned a couple of times in the book, too.

    The Eagles are one of those groups in which I have to separate my feelings about the individuals from the music they made.
    reply
  • Elaine

    3 months ago

    You're right about "The One You Love." Did he also have a hand in "I Can't Tell You Why?" That's one fine, fine song.
    reply
  • DavidMedsker

    3 months ago

    I love anything that makes Glen Frey look like a douchebag.
    reply
  • Ray

    3 months ago

    why?! glenn frey is amazing!
    reply
  • kshane

    3 months ago

    I wonder if Felder ever mentions folksinger David Blue in the book. The first time I ever saw Felder, then known as "Cotton" Felder, he was accompanying Blue at a club in Greenwich Village years before The Eagles. Blue was a talented songwriter who just somehow never made it.
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  • Malchus

    3 months ago

    HeFelder covers quite a bit about Blue and how touring with the folk singer led to his being hired to tour with Graham Nash and David Crosby.
    reply
  • Pete

    3 months ago

    Thanks for this review-I'm contemplating reading it based on this.
    reply
  • el bandito

    3 months ago

    Thanks, great review.
    reply
  • Pico

    3 months ago

    Very nicely done, Malchus. Sounds like an intriguing read, especially in light of the Eagles recent new album.
    reply
  • Ray

    3 months ago

    what exactly happened when he quit the eagles? someone please email me at wnyghosts@yahoo.com, type Don Felder in the subject bar. thanks!
    reply
  • Elaine

    3 months ago

    To All: I just read this blog entry: http://idolator.com/392421/rolling-stone-flies-...

    I don't know the blog or the author, but I found the article interesting, and right in line with our discussion here. It's a discussion about the Eagles being on the cover of the Rolling Stone. There's Eagles backstory for those of you who are interested. And, is the blind item about R. Kelly? Is he saying Henley liked to relieve himself on girls, or that he always got it up for the touch of the younger kind...? HM.

    "Glenn Frey...now defers to Henley. 'Without Don,' he says, '...we'd be Air Supply.'" That's almost .sig worthy.
    reply
  • joe

    3 months ago

    Felder's book doesn't come as a surprise. I can remember seeing the
    Eagles "Hell Freezes Over Tour" back in 1994 at Hershey Park Stadium.
    It was an amazing concert, but not long after the show, I was watching Entertainment Tonight and Don Henley gave a brief interview about the tour. Without being asked, Henley volunteered some information that suggested "Hell" wasn't completely frozen over. In paraphrasing his comments, he said "I don't want to break up the party or anything for the fans, but we really don't bother with each other after the shows or hang out." As I recall, the reporter didn't even ask him that question, he just decided to let it out. JLC
    reply
  • Roy G

    4 weeks ago

    Here are their rates for their 9/08 show at United Center in Chicago;

    MAIN FLOOR
    US $185.00

    LOWER (100 LEVEL)
    US $85.00 - US $185.00

    CLUB (200 LEVEL)
    US $85.00 - US $185.00

    UPPER (300 LEVEL)
    US $50.00 - US $85.00


    Meaning, the back of the upper level is $50, back of
    the middle level $85. The only good seats are ALL
    $185 - even those not on floor.

    I am glad Felder exposed them for the egomaniac,
    elitist f*ckwads that they are. Sure, we all love their
    songs. But they are persons who play music, not
    gods.

    They are completely out of touch now with the
    lunchpail crowd that put them on the map with
    $6 LP's and tickets, and now are effectively locked
    out at this price. Hell Freezes Over or, "We'll Do
    Anything At This Price"?

    They were extemely fortunate to come along after
    technology could make them that big, but before
    it democratized the industry with digital technology
    that everyone can copy. Bands in the future will never
    get this big, and Frey and Henley show us all why
    that is a very good thing...

    - Roy G / Cincinnati
    reply
  • Roy G

    4 weeks ago

    They'll never take in another dime of my money, btw...
    reply
  • VinceAdame

    1 week ago

    I just finished this book after purchasing it just a couple of days ago. I only put it down when I had to. I was impressed with Felder's even-handed approach while still laying bare the brutal reality of the Eagles, the record industry, and the Zeitgeist of L.A. in the 70's-80's. At the center, "Heaven and Hell" is a voyeuristic ride to redemption, relatable to anyone who ever felt marginalized in their work or betrayed in their life. Be it through victimization or self-empowerment, it is a testament to finding the courage and taking the steps to regain your integrity and move on.

    I'll always love their music, but now with a touch of bittersweet. Good for Don Felder. Shame on Glenn Frey and Don Henley.
    reply

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