Heaven And Hell: My Life In The Eagles, 1974-2001

This is possibly the best autobiography I have ever read (and i've read a few!). It gives an extremely detailed account of both the life and times of the Eagles and also Felder's own life. The former is predictably compelling and is why most people will read the book but Felder's account of his own life is an added bonus, enhanced by his honesty and his willingness to freely 'bare his soul' about his life experiences. While Felder doesn't deny or hide his resentment about the subordinate way he feels he was treated in the Eagles, he proves more than willing to highlight his own shortcomings and, crucially, is generous in acknowledging the positive features of those who he feels treated him poorly (namely Frey and Henley). The end result is that a subjective account of his life and times in the Eagles somehow seems quite objective and is pleasantly free of the bias and bitterness that some might expect the book to contain.

Felder's thoughtful analysis of his own character and those of the people central to his life is a standout feature. His steadfast view that Eagle profits continue to be spread equally among the band members is debatable given the level of his (and Walsh and Schmidt's) contribution relative to that of Frey and Henley. However since those two were additionally rewarded for their contributions by royalty payments, Felder may well have a point. Frey and Henley are unlikely to lay out the welcome mat for Felder's return to the Eagles but this book can give them no cause for complaint.

Checked out but can never leave - must read for Eagles fans (1/1 people found this helpful)

Most of the other reviewers have said it already - the book is a must read for Eagles fans and I found it very compelling!!! It doesn't matter whether you're a Felder fan or not (I am because of the music he wrote) just read it. He doesn't promise objectivity (but nor should he - since autobiographies are personal stories). Yes, he dishes the dirt on Henley and Frey and all it does is cement what others have said about them anyway (but from a very reliable source I'd say). So as far as I can see there's no inconsistancy there compared to other books - like Randy Miesner's veiws expressed in Mark Shapiro's book. The tone is neither bitter or condescending and he does acknowledge how incredibly lucky his life is given he started out dirt poor.
His account of Joe Walsh (much as I adore Joe's talent) is not surprising and seemingly accurate given my brief experience with Joe. I met Joe some 20 years ago when he was still an alkie and playing solo, teaching music, etc. Nice guy, humble, very talented and whitty - but not the sort who would stand up for himself least of all for Felder. I have not met Felder, but the persona he projects seems to tie in with the writing in the book; low key, humble and balanced. Not surprisingly why he and Joe got on so well (and presumably still do now the litigation is all over).
In some ways the non-Eagles stuff was more interesting. The account of his freindships with Stephen Stills, Duane Allman, Bernie Leadon and Graham Nash, to name a few - all of who have increased respect from me since reading the book (not that they didn't anyway) as fantastically talented muscians but also decent people. The pre-Eagles antics as a 60's hippie, Woodstock, and living with Flow had me in stitches of laughter, so much so I missed my train stop and was late to work (doh).
The 70's stuff was interesting in that it was consistant with what was happening in the industry at the time and from Felder's view being thrust into that and how he did (or didn't, as the case was in many instances) cope is a testament to the character that comes through. Felder survived in the Eagles for so long because he loved the music and put up with so much. Contrast that to Bernie Leadon, who was a strong fiesty character (rather than taking Felder's laid back approach) and see what happened to poor Bernie. Even mild mannered Randy Miesner cracked in the end. Such a huge price for all three to pay for being an integral part of such immense talent.
The latter years were a little sad (unsurprisingly) and the last chapter is heavily edited - apparently to get it through the scrutiny of the lawyers just so it could be printed. But at least it ended in a positive and uplifting manner. Despite coming across as underappreciated and undervalued, I found the lack of rancour refreshing and am pleased he has moved on. It's just sad to think that fans will not see him play that doubleneck Hotel California solo any more..., maybe someday they will "officially" release on DVD some clips of Felder playing an "electric" version of Hotel California.
Maybe there was just too much talent?
One thing is for certain - as nearly all the other reviewers rightly said - Felder's addition to the Eagles elevated them musically and his contribution should not be underestimated. The Eagles finest moments were during the years 1974-1977 (On the Border, One of These Nights and Hotel California), the Felder years. The new album does not stack up musically. As an ex-studio techie/sound engineer, it seems to me over-produced and lacking something (ooopmh).
I was never prepared to pay to see Don Henley or Glenn Frey perform as solo acts (only Joe stands up as a solo act in my books) but as a "whole band" the Eagles are pure magic and I've been hooked on them as a group since I first heard Don Felder on the radio (back in 1976) promoting "that" guitar solo for One of These Nights during their world tour. THE WHOLE IS GREATER THAN THE SUM OF THE PARTS - so true.
A great read and I recommend it to all fans.

A truly fascinating read (4/4 people found this helpful)

I guess you have to be interested in the Eagles and their contemporaries to fully appreciate this book. Fortunately I am and it's one of the best books I have ever read. I have read two previous unauthorised biographies of the Eagles and they are pretty good reads. However, this is the first autobiography of an Eagle, ex-Eagle in fact, who spent 27 years with the band before being fired over the telephone. Don Felder joined the band at a time when they were struggling to live up to their early success and he gave them a rockier edge, wrote the music to Hotel California, and helped deliver them into the stratosphere. I find it fascinating how that these musical icons almost stumbled into fame and fortune and, in the case of Don Felder was 27 before getting a truly steady job - lead guitarist with the Eagles.

This book cleverly weaves his frank account of his private life into his inside story of a band which seemed to be constantly in torment despite its phenomenal success. His account appears balanced, and far from being purely self-serving. He describes both facts and emotions very lucidly and really makes you feel you were a fly on the wall. There are no other autobiographies telling an alternative version and this does tie in closely with other accounts of the band that I have read. It kind of also ties up with my perception of the individuals when I have seen them on stage or being interviewed. In the absence of anything else, therefore, I choose to believe it.

Despite falling into the inevitable traps laid by his rock n roll lifestyle and the guilt his has felt as a result, I suspect Don Felder probably has one of the clearest consciences of anyone associated with the band. I end up really wishing him all good fortune for the future.

I still love the music of the Eagles old and new, it is by far the most played in our household. However, I feel quite sad that such success has come at such a high price for certain individuals such as Bernie Leadon, Randy Meisner and Felder himself, although they all appear to be content individuals now.

A truly excellent read.

Unanswered questions (1/1 people found this helpful)

It's all been said by previous reviewers. I fully agree with whats been said. An excellent read. I'd only make two comments...

Firstly, excellent as Don's guitar contribution was (I play guitar and would die to be able to duet with Don on HC) the fact of the matter is that it was the songs that made the Eagles. And a quick look at the credits on any Eagles album sees the same old names cropping up - Henley/Frey. What Felder does not explain (for the uninformed) is the relationship of royalties to Eagles inc. Did the agreed equal shares include royalties on all songs no matter who wrote them? If so, then Don Felder does not deserve equal shares regardless of what was agreed. On the other hand, if Frey and Henley were recouping royalties in addition then Felder has some cause for complaint. Although, even then, you could argue that what brought the crowds to see the Eagles was a) songs and b) their composers. Imagine if Henley/Frey had left the Eagles. Would they still have commanded the same audience figures? I think not.

Secondly, I thought Felder was refreshingly honest from the word go. The book was a great read and this helped enormously. However, when he got sacked and then his marriage failed etc, it began to get a bit heavy and I found myself thinking he was wallowing in this sad situation. I found myself losing sympathy with him.

But, a great read for anyone. Not just rock fans.

Really 2.5 stars - mild sour grapes and for fans only (0/1 people found this helpful)

...and there are probably plenty of fans out there. This rather ordinary (and probably mainly ghost-written, not to mention -ridden) book is The Eagles According To Don Felder. While one (this one anyway) can feel sorry for Mr. Felder in his various tribulations, he unfortunately has failed to comprehend a major fact of life, namely that pop/rock music is, above all, a money-making business, which long ago lost the purely music-making innocence for which Mr. Felder seems to hanker. Popular music is just another commodity to be marketed in the most efficient way possible, with an eye to profitability.

With a modern business ethic goes hand-in-hand corporate greed, in which chief executives get an inordinate amount of the cream. Thus, Messrs Henley and Frey get the cream. That Messrs Henley and Frey were as thoroughly unpleasant individuals as depicted here is not surprising - young successful rock musicians lack the maturity to handle it all and tend to acquire monstrously inflated egos. In addition, there's the fact that you're only as good as your last hit, and the recent products bearing the brand name "Eagles" have been distinctly mediocre, forcing them to rely on older product lines. However, there's no doubt that Henley and Frey have been the major innovators and producers of the business, and can therefore, in modern business terms, be said to merit a larger slice of the cake. And it becomes plain that Mr. Felder's only substantial product was "Hotel California", a major product to be sure, perhaps even the major product, but only one, and after that, essentially nothing. He mildly castigates the other Eaglets, Joe Walsh and Tim Schmidt, for not supporting him, but they at least seem to have grasped on which side their bread was buttered.

In addition, there's something rather bizarre about a multi-squillionaire, who has earned more in a year than the vast majority of us will earn in a lifetime, writing a book like this. Mr. Felder seeks to come across of a man of integrity, severely shafted by unscrupulous business associates. While there's certainly a substantial element of truth in that, this is the way of the modern business world, and Mr. Felder comes across to me as somewhat pathetic and naïve.

Heaven And Hell: My Life In The Eagles, 1974-2001

Don Felder

Reader Reviews:

Riveting and Honest. (1/1 people found this helpful)

Checked out but can never leave - must read for Eagles fans (1/1 people found this helpful)

A truly fascinating read (4/4 people found this helpful)

Unanswered questions (1/1 people found this helpful)

Really 2.5 stars - mild sour grapes and for fans only (0/1 people found this helpful)

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