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

Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) | Don Felder | A Magnificent Story of "Self-Reliance"

books:

Heaven and Hell: M...

	Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) Don Felder Wiley, 2008 - 352 pages average customer review:based on 77 reviews view larger image
	for more information click here

highly recommended

The Eagles are the bestselling, and arguably the tightest-lipped, American group ever. Now band member and guitarist Don Felder finally breaks the Eagles? years of public silence to take fans behind the scenes. He shares every part of the band?s wild ride, from the pressure-packed recording studios and trashed hotel rooms to the tension-filled courtrooms, and from the joy of writing powerful new songs to the magic of performing in huge arenas packed with roaring fans.

Very revealing read, and very fair

Don Felder's story is revealing yet fair. One can detect joy, sadness, chagrin in his look back at his life with the Eagles, but almost no animosity at all. It is an effort in a meditative manner, telling things the way he saw it, with no attempt at excuses - even for his own mistakes.

Being a non-confrontative and meek person, you can easily say that it was his own fault for allowing the abuse by the Gods (*snigger*, sorry; can never refer to that silly title without sniggering). Yet, isn't that a common trait in a lot of people? But he woke up after being unfairly fired. Timothy Schmit's last remarks to Felder, that some contract made in the 70s was history, aren't entirely correct. That contract was not voided before they embark on the new regulation of profit division among the band members. It was only ignored and THAT is why the hostility against Felder mounted. He was pointing out to a fact that still stands and this grated, but for Felder's lack of courage to be more direct.

The very fact that Henley and Frey (The Gods...? *cringe*) eventually settled this out of court is very telling! Wake up, those who berate Felder for telling this story! They settled because they would never win! And they didn't want more than what is already evident to see further light! DUH!! The stories in this book have been watered down even, in order to save these lousy dogs some face! What a pity such massively talented individuals are also very destructive in their nature. It is sad that his old friends, Timothy Schmit and especially, Joe Walsh, chose to save their own hides from the wrath of The Gods (there, said it again). But I can see their fears and understand why they cease contact with Felder. They have that same trait of non-confrontative way! But they were never promised an equal share, and signed contracts that are already clear on their own positions: an Eagle, but not really a member. Hired musicians with a fancy tag.

All in all, a very fair point of view from Don Felder. No finger-pointing and maintains his respect for these guys, no matter what had happened between them. The irony being that Henley's and Frey's greed in hoping to swallow Felder's share ended up in them paying back his overdues and more, now that Felder is also entitle to future profits. Talk about coming full circle........

for more information click here

A Magnificent Story of "Self-Reliance"

WARNING!! If you pick this book up...you will not be able to put it down.."Self-Reliance"...an essay by Emerson, inspired Don Henley to greatness, and it is clearly the path Don Felder took. Hey Don...if you are reading this...your performance of Hotel California on the Howard Stern show was a beautiful rendition...imho you should have NO "confidence problem" with your singing...talk about soulful...WOW! Anyone interested in hearing that classic, just go to YouTube....Peace and Love...

Awesome book!

Well written, really captivating book. Fast read. Always have been an Eagles fan but now I'm a Don Felder fan.

for more information click here

Life In A Disfunctional Rock Family

The most interesting bit of information from this book is the financial and emotional treatment of everyone who is not Henley or Frey. WOW! Timothy Schmidt is my favorite Eagle and to learn of the arrangement he and Joe Walsh are under while the two "Gods" make a fortune is very telling about the management of the group and the greed of Henley and Frey.

A great read in which Don Felder takes an honest look at the personalities of all the members, including himself. He was screwed and yet in some way wants to excuse Henley and Frey by taking the high ground, not being vicious or brutal. Obviously he is a gentleman who took a moral stand against Henley and Frey, who are less than ethical. Yet again a story of rock egos run amuck with everyone else paying the price.

for more information click here

"I can't complain, but sometimes I still do."

Yeah, I know it's a Joe Walsh line, but it fits this book perfectly.

After joining the Eagles, it doesn't take long for Felder to start realizing (real or imagined) that he's getting the shaft from Messrs. Frey and Henley. Apparently the royalties from "Hotel California" and other tunes are enough to pacify him for a while, however.

Finally, when he stands up to them, they do the expected and fire him. It's interesting how the other two "sidemen" (Walsh and Schmidt) don't back him up at all (lest they put their own positions in peril) and implore him to just enjoy the ride, but it's too late by then.

Along the way there are some interesting stories but not really enough to keep this book afloat. If you're not a hardcore Eagles fan, I'd skip it.

for more information click here