Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001)

Mr. Felder wrote a very telling and personal account of his time with the Eagles. I've been an Eagles fan since 1974 and as a kid I simply loved the music, the words, the riffs, renditions and all that represented the Eagles. In 2005 as I moved from Southern California to Northern Virginia I made it a point to drive through Winslow Arizona just because of the song "Take It Easy". What I appreciated the most about this book was the personal touch Mr. Felder added. The story of his humble beginnings in a similar yet different way reminded me of my own. The roads he took that would lead him to both his wife and the band were simply something that he allowed to happen and he took his course naturally. One gets the sense of reading this outstanding work that he is a man of great patience and privacy - yet he shares with us (his fans) the intricacies of both personal and professional band member life. He exposes the flaws, reminisces of the successes, shares the joys of children being born and reflects passionately on his love for his parents; though this too is not without its trials and tribulations on his personal reflections. As a kid growing up in Southern California it was easy to understand this music, these events, these recordings of (to a larger extent) the American Southwest, the desert that lays between Los Angeles and Las Vegas is vast as one crosses the State Border Line from California to Nevada - that whole area in which it has its own natural beauty has always reminded me of the Eagles. I hope for the future Mr. Felder will write more books and provide his fans with more insight on the music industry; though I myself am not a musician the simple truth of the matter is I simply know what I like to listen to whether I cook inside or outside. I would love to read a book from him specifically on his experiences with the technological aspect of change in the music industry. It would be a good read should he consider to write one later. I have been a big Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers fan since 1979 with "Damn the Torpedo's" LP; a treasure treat for me was reading how Mr. Felder and Mr. Petty as kids got together so Mr. Felder could "teach" and assist Mr. Petty with his own personal development. I could just sit back and ponder as read those simple passages within this fabulous book. Meanwhile, if you're an Eagles fan this book is simply for you and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. For dumb Jarhead like me, a military guy, a guy no longer in the military and yet a professional within the U.S. Government these songs and this story made me think (of my own life) as I crossed Mr. Felder's account of the many songs and tours he took to support each of the great albums this band made.

This is a terrific book. I just finished reading it, and let me tell you, Don Felder does not hold back, he - along with Wendy Holden - tell the true story of the Eagles. I found this book to be very informative and interesting, especially the stories of what went on behind the glamour on stage. The ongoing arguments: in studio, hotels, and back stage. Also, the details of the alcohol, drugs, and sexy women that comprised the famous "third encore." It's funny how Glenn Frey mentioned in the History of the Eagles that everyone is getting along better today. However, Felder's wonderfully descriptive book tells the real story, that the Hell Freezes Over Tour in 1994 and beyond, brought back many is the same petty arguments that led to their unfortunate disbandment in 1980. Only this time, egos and greed compounded an already fractured and cold situation. I love Don Felder's work with the Eagles. I believe he is clearly talented and one of the best guitarists in rock and roll history. In my opinion, I believe he could go toe to toe any day with the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, and even the late Jimi Hendrix, if he we alive today. As part of Eagles Ltd., established in 1974, Don Felder should have been treated better and he should have received as much money, as Don Henley and Frey, from the all the reunion tours that occurred from 1994 to 2001. Don Felder was the catalyst in propelling the Eagles to stardom and he truly made them the great rock and roll band we still love today. Felder brought rock to the Eagles, and Joe Walsh only came in a year later, with his chain saws, to add to the party. As the band continues now 12 years without Felder, I just hope they can at least recognize and show a little gratitude for what Felder bought to the Eagles. Don Felder poured his heart, his soul, and even sacrificed a wonderful marriage to make the Eagles the ultimate American Rock and Roll Band. I still remember pointing Felder out to my then girlfriend, when the came out on stage in 1994 during the Hell Freezes Over Tour. I knew they were opening with Hotel California and I told her to watch Don "Fingers" Felder play the intro to this song, because he wrote it. Don Felder is such a class act, a remarkable guy, and I would love to meet him. This is a wonderful read and I recommend it to every Eagles fan! It is not wasted time and you will not be disappointed! By the way, I will be seeing The Eagles, twice, this fall in Dallas, Texas. It's a shame that the group dynamic, then and now, is what it is! But they are the Eagles and I cannot wait to see them. Don Felder's presence will strongly be heard in the music! :o)

"Clash of the Megalomania Titans!" could also have been the name for this book. It's really not surprising, I suppose, that after years of adoring fans telling you how great you are (and in many cases, using their bodies to do it), that you would develop a highly disjointed view of the world BENEATH you. In many instances, I found myself saying "Really, Felder? You actually THOUGHT that!?" Example; When he describes the final straw that led to his decision to divorce his wife. The incident is so trite and trivial, that his consequent action comes off as the world's worse excuse to divorce someone! Either that, or it comes off as a man (who's own ego and sense of entitlement to non-stop attention) who has suddenly caught one of his wide-eyed minions blinking for a split second. "Off with their heads then!!" seems to be the preposterous answer; He is mad at his wife for half blowing-off their dinner and movie plans (which he pressured her in to doing, last minute), so instead of talking to her and expressing how he feels, he tells her that he's just going to head home and he never says a word...and this is the unforgivable incident that leads to divorce?? Yikes! I guess Celebrities really DO lead sheltered lives! If this is the final straw to ending a 25+year marriage, I'd be afraid to ever say one word to the guy if I was his friend, band-mate, etc. God knows he could decide to quit you on a whim...like he did Walsh, when he called him to talk to him about the group's decision to let him go. He said he and Walsh were "old buddies". Yet, he gave up on him too, simply because he didn't like his attitude during the call..."I haven't spoken to him since" says Felder. And he wonders why his friends are disappearing! He didn't express how he was really feeling (hurt by his response) and he's made no effort since to rectify what could be, in all honesty, a case of mistaken impressions (just like the movie/dinner incident). These scenes in the book are telling, in that Felder appears as someone who doesn't communicate very well with others, ESPECIALLY at critical moments in his life. He sucks it in when Henley & Frey tell him that he's going to be paid less (instead of having it out when it counts, at the meeting, not down the road, after the tour is over). And when he describes how this ultimately becomes the issue that leads to his getting kicked out of the band, he points out how he himself never really talks directly to anyone about the problem, until it is all blown out of proportion and it's too late...a familiar theme throughout his life, apparently (read the book and you'll see what I mean). But, all the above being said, this book is as addicting as the groupies and blow Felder speaks of indulging in! :-) I read it twice within a couple of days of getting it. It's not overly eloquent in it's prose, but the simple, straight-forward way of telling his side of the story, seems heartfelt and true (to his point of view, anyway). In Felder's defense, it's also not hard to imagine that there is truth to some of the accusations he makes. I have no doubt, with all of the other egos at play in the band, surely there were times when the term "*-hole" applied to both Frey and Henley. And contrary to some of the other reviews here, I DO think that even junior members of a band count! Each artist brings that special little sound that is all his own to a group. And without all of the right ingredients in the pie, it may look like apple pie, and it may smell like apple pie, but it won't TASTE like THAT apple pie, the one you love from your favorite, special bakery on the corner. Felder's contributions to the Eagles sound (and to their biggest single of all time, their signature song, "Hotel California"), MUST be appreciated and recognized. I think that this is Felder's point at the end of the day, and I agree. I hate to see any one or two band members think that THEY are the band (even if they did write most of the songs, over-all). Roger Waters thought (and still does think) that he's Pink Floyd. I love Waters, but without Gilmore on the Guitar, and Mason on the drums, to me, he's just "Roger Waters"...and Pink Floyd under Gilmore is a shell of what it should be. Point being, without each other, they both suck on their own (for the most part), and are nothing compared to what they were when they were in "Their Band", together, performing as a group. Henley and Frey should do themselves, and the fans, a favor; Bring Felder back in to the fold. I don't like seeing them all on stage without him. It bugs me when any band does this. Like the way Led Zeppelin is supposed to be going on tour soon, without Robert Plant. Excuse ME!?!? You've GOT to be kidding! It's an insult to fans when these great acts from back then get together with partial (or in some arrogant cases, NONE) of the original band members. The Eagles are no exception. Bottom line; Buy the book. It will get you thinking...and it's entertaining and interesting from a historical perspective. It made me wish I could have been Don Felder, with all of his drug-induced, rock & roll fame, fortune and hot little groupies! Why do some people just get all of the "COOL" problems in life? :-(

It has to be hard to open up about the sorts of things that happened in a band such as the Eagles. I don't really think Felder was whining, and I don't really think that his intention was to portray Henley and Frey as inherently evil. Watching the documentary, The History of the Eagles, I became a little disappointed with Henley and Frey, but I think everyone handles stardom differently. I think they made a huge mistake in walling off the other members creatively and financially and forsaking the roots of the band and the spirit under which it was created. Drug paranoia appears to be part of the problem, however, they really seemed to express concern over continued success and where the songs would come from to sustain that success in their documentary, so I think that insecurity around material was always there and fed their paranoia. I also think that Henley and Frey's solo careers, while modestly successful compared to the Eagles, added to their own feeling of superiority. When you read enough print talking about what a genius you are, you begin to believe it. I think in some ways, "The Gods" bought into their own hype. The reality of it is that while Henley is a brilliant lyricist and vocalist, it's apparent that through most of his career he relied heavily on outside sources for help with his writing. There's nothing at all wrong with that, however, I think he and Frey seemed to feel as if they were still the major creative forces, and failed to realize that what propelled the band so meteorically had more to do with inclusion and collaboration among all of the band members, rather than singular contributions from them and the writers they relied on. Don Felder was pretty fair in his assessment of where the talent was, and was pretty gracious when it came to complimenting the other members and talking about their strengths as artists. I think that Felder is sort of the epitome of the emotionally sensitive artist; fundamentally desiring a joyous, fun, creative atmosphere to create music in. You can't fault him for that. Balancing taste and style to remain commercially viable is quite difficult however, and I think this is the obsession Henley and Frey fell into, and served to pull the band apart. Don Felder never tried to say that he had the voice or writing skills that Don Henley or even Glenn Frey possessed. What he does understand well, that I don't think Henley and Frey did, at least later in their evolution, is that what made the Eagles sound so timeless was free and open collaboration and contribution by all of the members. Felder's quest for justice on the financial side was absolutely justified. He held stock in a corporation, and was entitled to a share that was commensurate with his equity not to mention his musical contributions. I don't think there is any question that the inclusion of his and Walsh's sound saved the band from fading into obscurity. The edgier sound that resulted from the additional guitars, the hooks that Felder and Walsh added, and their blistering solo work took a band bordering on pedestrian and turned it into something really cool. This is not at all to diminish the contributions of Meisner and Leadon who contributed amazing work to the band as well. It took balls for Don Felder to stand up to Henley and Frey, and get what was his, yet, he's often portrayed as an ungrateful whiner who should have been happy with whatever he got. I don't think this is fair at all, and his stance and fight on this should serve as inspiration to people in similar situations. The interesting thing is had he not gone on to fight for his share of the pie, he would probably have been questioned endlessly in the media about why he rolled over and went paws up like everyone else did. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. The other thing that he did in this book which, I've seen done in others, but not quite as effectively, is that he makes the journey emotionally and personally relatable in some ways. Few of us will ever be fortunate enough to have the reference point of being in such a popular rock band, so we can't relate to that, but the emotions that he walks us through in dealing with it from the perspective of a family man and humble musician allow the reader to connect emotionally to what the situations made him feel like and for me at least, gave me the feeling of being there with him on the ride. Well done.

This was an enjoyable and easy to read accounting of Don Felder's years with the Eagles. It was particularly meaningful to me given my age and the fact I grew up in Los Angeles and was employed at a job that took me up and down Sunset Blvd. at the very time the Eagles came into being. I remember the big billboard hanging over Sunset, with the now recognizable blue and orange album cover, announcing... "The Eagles are Coming". I bought the group's first album and loved it. Of course, I purchased every record they made thereafter. I even liked the much panned "Desperado" album. When Hotel California came out, it was obvious to me that this group had become a true "rock" group and not just a Buffalo Springfield or Poco wannabe band. Felder's book filled in a lot of gaps for me. I always loved the early Eagles voices, even Glenn Frye's. But, Felder's guitar is what made the band truly great. This book is a very sad compilation of stories depicting how drugs and egos destroyed the Eagles. Don Henley and Glenn Frye, with their huge egos in tow, evidently let the sound of their own wheels make them crazy. The way in which they treated fellow band members exposes not only those egos, but their contempt for fans of the group. Henley and Frye believe the Eagles music they created belongs to them. In reality, this group became larger than just Henley and Frye's private property. The Eagles became the property of all of us who were fortunate to have Eagles music frame the everyday occurrences of our lives. Popping in those old 8-track tapes as we drove the LA freeways, immediately recognizing the first few notes of Eagles songs when they were played on the radio, we eventually formed associations with the music that caused us to remember forever where we were when we heard "The Best of My Love", "Lyin' Eyes", or "Hotel California". Henley and Frye have never been able to grasp how the way they treated Randy Meisner and Don Felder was a kick in the teeth to Eagles fans. For Henley to say something along the lines of "Felder isn't with the group anymore and nobody even noticed", is BS. He can hire a guitar-playing sideman with ace credentials, but the music doesn't have the soul it used to have when the creator of the chord progressions played them. While Henley and Frye still tour as the Eagles, they really aren't the Eagles. They are the Egos. All things considered, Don Felder is really very kind to Henley and Frye in this book. He does call them "The Gods" and calls attention to their negative behavior toward band mates, but he COULD have really ripped them a new one if he wanted to. Instead he credits each with their own brand of genius, leaving final judgment to the reader as to whether the group truly is better without his contribution. The answer for me is, "Hell no". Henley and Frye gave us this great gift and then they snatched it back. Buy the book, suffer through Felder's childhood years early on, and then things get interesting. Even more interesting if you were an Eagles fan and can actually remember when the events depicted in the book took place. I enjoyed the ride.

Don Felder is one talented Guitar Player. One of the main reasons the Eagles were so successful in their transition from their easy listening music to their more Rock oriented Sounds. As the sole writer of the music for Hotel California, the Eagles biggest hit ever, Don's talent shines through!!! I believe him completely when he said that the Eagles were a corporation, and that all members were to get an equal share of the profits. He won his lawsuit against the Eagles, ( Glenn Frey, Don Henley), so enough said about who was right. I was in 3 different bands. Only one did we all get alone. Whenever anyone got unreasonable, it was so hard and made it difficult to have fun. That's what music should be fun and rewarding. Frey and Henley, on their own merit, decided because they were the main song writers, that they should get the lions share of the profits. Wrong!!!! An agreement to equal shares is an agreement, period. All of a sudden when success comes big, greed takes over. Don Felder had every right to question the spending and request his share of the profits in an equal partnership. It was a double edge sword. If he spoke up much sooner, he would have been kicked out sooner, and been denied the pleasure of all the great Eagle hits he contributed with his fantastic guitar playing. All he wanted was his fair share of the profits, and to play music. How they got away with kicking him out, I don't know the legalities of, but it's a darn good thing he had a contract as an equal owner of The Eagles, Inc. So at least money will keep rolling in for years to come. Check out his music in the Animated movie 'Heavy Metal' on YouTube!! Fantastic composition. As a guitar player myself, Don Felder's lesson on YouTube on Hotel California, is amazing. He is a laid-back, easy going, soft spoken man who enjoys music. Like Linda Ronstadt said about the Eagles when they used to back her up, before they were the Eagles. "You can tell a real guitar player because you can't pry it from their hands. They never put it down." That's Don Felder!! To me the Eagles were less of a Band without Don Felder.!! Relying on their established hits to keep there signature Eagles sound. Don Felder was a major part of that. I look up to him for fighting for what was due him. I just wish Don Henley and Glenn Frey would have tried to work it out with him. Maybe if their Greed and Egos weren't so large. I also wish Glenn and Felder could have worked things out before Frey's passing. A sad shame. The YouTube video of Don Felder expressing his regrets about not being able to work things out with Frey are sincere and very sad. But we will always have their music to listen to, which is pure and without regret.

Don Felder writes a first person account of life, ' Heaven and Hell ' with the Eagles. The book is a very easy read and enjoyable if you followed the Eagles or are a musician such as myself. The beginning of the book is a synopsis of Don's childhood, which, does get a bit long but is necessary conceptually, and provides the reader with Felder's starting point in life. Growing up in Gainsville, Florida is discussed and, it is enlightening to realize what a hot bed of musicians came from Gainsville. Mr. Felder's love and abilities ( almost obsessively) as a musician are noted. Various changes in the Eagle's musical style, band members, and, venues played are explained which is quite interesting. Members of the band their strong, and weaker, personalities should hold the readers interest. Much of the book discusses dynamics, personal interaction with each other, various ego and alliances formed within the band and, how this impacted the Eagles rise and fall. Management of finances and naivete concerning money, and we are talking about a LOT of MONEY, by most band members is interesting. The Eagles subtle change from a group of musicians to 'Eagles LLC ' is explained. There are a few 'hot-heated' interactions written about, but, Mr. Felder's writing does not berate or 'back-stab' other members of the band. This book is not a scintillating, tell all, with a mean spirited text. Mr. Felder comes across as a nice guy who tried to mediate the disparate personalities within the band. Drug, sex and, rock and roll are covered but these issues are not what drives the text. The text is driven by Felder's ability to translate via written words how a super-group is formed, rises and, ultimately falls. The Eagles rapid assent to stardom and subsequent demise is well written but not vindictive. I enjoyed Felder's explanation regarding how various songs were written, the concept, key, and lyric content used. Henley and Frey's alliance and evolution within the Eagles is discussed but, again, not in a vindictive manner. Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon and their contribution to the band with subsequent exit is covered in depth. Joe Walsh' entrance as an Eagle provides lively humor as well as rationale for the Eagles directional change musically. Walsh's musicianship rounds the Eagles out and also enhances Felder's book. Stephen Stills, Graham Nash, Tom Petty, J.D. Souther, Bob Segar and numerous rock stars add an interesting dimension to 'Heaven and Hell.' Don Felder's life as a kid from Tobacco Road who became a superstar is well written, albeit, from Felder's perspective. Felder does not paint himself as saint nor as a villain in this book. Felder's marriage, love of family, with concurrent struggles and strain of 'superstar' status is interesting. As one who also read Keith Richards 'My Life' I must relate that Felder's book 'Heaven and Hell' is not written, contextually or conceptually, at the level of Richard's book. That being said: Don Felder has penned an interesting, historical snapshot of the Eagles, life on the road, as well as, dynamic personalities within the group. Minimal details regarding Felder's lawsuit against Henley, Frey and, Izoff are discussed. How the Eagles evolved, who wrote the songs, lyrics, musical keys and chords chosen for various songs may be of interest to the reader, particularly if one is a musician. As one reads Felder's book a question arises as to why Don Henley and Glenn Frey tried to stop the book from reaching the public, and, almost succeeded doing so. Overall Don Felder compliments every member of the Eagles as musicians, songwriters, regular guys under extreme pressure and, how such can be 'Heaven and Hell.'

I almost gave this book a 3-star review, but decided on four, since in the end, I did enjoy the book. It's very well written, and I found the story of early career very interesting. The reason I almost gave it only three stars was for the section of the book dealing with his firing from the Eagles (which in my humble opinion, was the stupidest thing they did, with the possible exception of their collective drug abuse). The reason I upped my rating, besides what I said above, is that I think this was more due to the Publisher more or less "chickening out" that it was that Don himself deliberating left something out of the book. Let me explain. When I read this book, I found this section to be sadly lacking in details of what went on with his firing from Eagles, as far as who, what, where and why. I had heard several times, that the UK edition, for example, was far more detailed in this area, and that the US Publisher was apparently leiry of being sued, so they severely edited this portion of the book, apparently against Don's wishes. I haven't been able to completely verify this, but that's what I heard and read in many places, including a few professional reviews of this book. At any rate, this part of the book was very "thin" if you will. I keep expecting to get to more details, but then the book was over, and I was left wondering about this part of his story. It just seemed to me that it left out a lot of the story and many details where either sketchy or completely absent. This left me, as a reader, dangling, and wondering exactly went on here, but it never got resolved for me. If, in fact, the Publisher did get cold feet, and deliberately edited this out, they did us readers a great disservice by doing so. That was really the whole reason we bought this book in the first place, was it not? Other than that, the rest of the book is fabulous and was good read. One way I can tell how much I like or dislike a book, is by how fast I read it. I finished this book in only about 5 or 6 days, and that is reading only in the car while driving to and from work (while my wife drove!), and about 1/2 hour each day over lunch. If you didn't buy this book when it first came out, and you are any kind of Eagles fan, I do highly recommend it. I would suggest though, that if you can, you give a shot at finding the UK version if you can.

Au regard des commentaires, je croyais ce livre en Français et je n'ai pas fait attention dans les détails que la langue était l'Anglais. Dommage pour nous.

Remarkable insight into one of the greatest acts of the 20th century. My only grouse is that there are no pictures at all. Why?

Llegó a tiempo, buena presentación, versión en inglés.

Un libro muy interesante. Don Felder explica con objetividad y también de un forma muy sentida como fue su vida siendo parte importante de una gran banda como los Eagles. Además he podido acercarme a Don Felder como persona al cual admiro muchísimo también como músico. Muy recomendable.

Ho comprato il libro in quanto grande fan degli Eagles e dello stile di Don Felder. Il libro descrive molto bene la vita del chitarrista già dalle sue origini, le sue influenze e tutte le sue vicende anche prima della sua unione con gli Eagles. Viene inoltre spiegata in modo abbastanza oggettiva la vita all'interno del gruppo senza omettere però le sensazioni ed i commenti di Don Felder nelle svariate situazioni. Consiglio sicuramente il libro a tutti i fan degli Eagles ed anche a tutti gli aspiranti musicisti, in particolar modo i chitarristi.