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

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

Wolfgang — Sat, 23 May 2009 23:58:43 -0000

As a born German and a proud US-Citizen I saw "The Eagles" in Duesseldorf, Germany, when Hotel California came out. Since then I saw the Band at least 50 times, and that gives me the right to comment on the book from Don Felder. Here it is: it is very, very sad, that a person like Don Felder is not seen these days on stage. I personally miss him. Without him, would there be a "Hotel California?" Let's face it, he is a wonderful human being ( actually you can see it on stage ), who is very much concentrating on his guitar.
He stood up for himself, and it is so sad, that only money put that great musician away from "The Eagles". But you are dealing with a Jewish Manager.............
Wolfgang, Santa Monica,CA

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

bob — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:38:33 -0000

I have just finnished reading dons book it will make me look at the eagles a differnent way. But I will look out for some other ons side of the story unless we think we no it all I will judge after maybe reading take it to the limit unless anyone can recomend any other source.I found Dons book very absorbing & I wanted to read it once I started very good book

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

Ken — Sat, 25 Oct 2008 22:19:14 -0000

I saw the Eagles in Chicago and although they sounded great, the fact that Don Felder was gone had a big impact on the the feel of the show. When you see Don Play with the Eagles< he is in a zone and just plays beautiful with grace and a sound that the new sideman just can't c ome close to
hell freezes over is their best work(touched up as it may be) All I can say is best of luck Don, I always thought that frey was a pompus asshole anyway! Henley has a great voice But a bigger ego that Pumpkin head of his. they are lucky to still have Tim and Joe ( Timmothy has a voice from God and Joe isa great guy and way too popular to get rid of) but Don was just a great guitarist who had the balls to stand up to George Bush and Dick Chaney and lost. the two others( Joe and Tim) should be ashammed to have let him stand out with his dick in the wind. GO Don!

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

VinceAdame — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 15:57:00 -0000

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.

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

Roy G — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:31:36 -0000

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

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

Roy G — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:28:37 -0000

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

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

John — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:36:02 -0000

True, but he is a talentless hack.

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

kevin markham — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 09:44:35 -0000

fuck you ray . they are jumped up bigheaded bastards.

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

joe — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 00:12:17 -0000

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

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

Elaine — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:20:55 -0000

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.

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

Elaine — Sat, 24 May 2008 23:04:10 -0000

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.

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

DwDunphy — Sat, 24 May 2008 22:37:22 -0000

Glenn Frey was not the founder of The Damned.

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

Ray — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:52:04 -0000

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

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

Ray — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:51:09 -0000

why?! glenn frey is amazing!

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

Ray — Sat, 24 May 2008 21:50:27 -0000

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

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

Pico — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:22:09 -0000

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

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

el bandito — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:58:44 -0000

Thanks, great review.

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

Pete — Wed, 21 May 2008 10:49:43 -0000

Thanks for this review-I'm contemplating reading it based on this.

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

Malchus — Mon, 19 May 2008 02:41:33 -0000

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.

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

kshane — Sun, 18 May 2008 20:12:20 -0000

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.

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

Malchus — Sat, 17 May 2008 17:05:05 -0000

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.

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

DavidMedsker — Sat, 17 May 2008 13:42:22 -0000

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

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

David_E — Fri, 16 May 2008 21:03:33 -0000

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.

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

1Py_Korry1 — Fri, 16 May 2008 19:56:07 -0000

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.

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

Malchus — Fri, 16 May 2008 18:52:33 -0000

It's a pretty quick read, even though it's over 300 pages.