Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) Hardcover – Illustrated, April 1, 2008

I’m glad I read this book about life in The Eagles. Don Felder is a very talented musician and worked hard at what he loved. There is some ugliness in the book regarding life on the road and the immense egos of a couple of the members, but it’s not petty nor overdone. As an ex-recording engineer and musician myself I have seen such elements in play and think Mr. Felder’s words are honest and trustworthy. Heaven and Hell is an apt title as he suffered professionally and personally as well as reaped the rewards.

"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? :-(

I jumped around a little as I thought of things while writing.This was a peaceful easy reading. I finished it in 2 sittings. I loved the back story in Gainsville and the relationship Don had growing up and with his celeb neighbors in Malibu. I think he is a lucky dog to have made that much cash and live in anonymity.Glenn Frey comes off as a scumbag. I was surprise how much of a creative force Glenn was. Personally, I never cared for his voice and think his 80's music was awful. Smuggler's Blues and you belong to the city - come on! crapDon Henley came off as someone who is a good lyricist, strong talent, and a perfectonist. So what. Plus I enjoyed his music post eagles. I saw him in the 80's. I remember hearing him play Desperado and then hearing Joe Walsh play it also a few weeks later with Ringo Starr and his all star band - a point of contention.After reading, I though Azoff came off as a giant Azoff (pun intended) and that he exacerbated friction with Don Felder. PS, now he is head of ticketmaster. What a joke. the 90's tour was all about money and greed, and so is ticketmaster. Unfortunately I think that is the direction of the music industry has headed - cds dont sell so the money cmes from touring. Maybe having an Azoff running the show is right.Don was a bit of a whiner, but he has a point in that he was due more money. Personally I think he should have been offered something more than Joe Walsh and Timothy Smith, but less than Henley and Frey. That could have reduced the friction. Probably not thought, since Frey and henley started creating separate companies to distribute box sets trying to cut others out. Don felder brings up some good points when he mentions that they played a ton of benefits concerts but not one for the roadies and crew, and one of the touring pianists' piece was cut out of a box set so as not to give him royalties. A-holey to say the least.Don mentioned that his complaining should have benefited the rights of others in the band, but as far as i can tell, he never won an argument and nothing they talked about ever helped the others in the band. He probably settled too cheaply - something we may never know. Perhaps Susan Felder will write a book. She probably is not subject to keeping the settlement undisclosed, and she sure has insight to the amount received, since she got half up front and continues to see 50%.I think Don tried to minimize his womanizing. You didn't get concrete evidence until he was caught red-handed. I like the way he tried to justify it - NOT. I wish he detailed a little more how that groupie rocked his world as explained in the letter - what could she have done??? I think he probabaly regrets asking for a divorce.Some things I would have liked to see explored more is a little more on Azoff and why he was not sued. Why did he keep him as his manager? Why was he not part of the suit?I also wonder why Don didn't leverage his stake in the band to prevent a reunion from touring under the eagles for more money (although since they probably handed him a bag of cash to the tune of $20MM after 2.5 years of touring in the 90's, I can't say I blame him for taking the money). I guess he was just one solo record in the 80's away from being able to leverage a more lucrative deal. too bad he got a real estate license - probably a result of his lack of confidence in his musc ability.All in all I would say he was one lucky guitarist to get that gig with the Eagles to begin with and a nice slice of the pie. Joe and Tim were not as lucky, and Bernie and Randy f'd up and quit. The best thing Don did was never quitting, and it made him extremely wealthy. He can't really complain (but he can, seems that he had some greed - or what he called fairness - like Glenn and Don, but without the control issues)A 5 year party followed by a life long stream of solid income. Things could have been worse.I would like to see a new album - and perhaps hear fif he won some songs in the judgment.All in all, it was a great story. I love the music (I couldnt help listing to old clips on youtube while listening), think the whole is much better than the sum of his parts, and I guess I like hearing some of the friction and the dirt (thanks Jerry springer and Maurie Povich). I wouldn't call it a survivor story, and the whole BS around comparing his to an abusive relationship is a little over the top. I think it is a good story about someone who is talented and was rewarded for it, although he had to fight a bit for it.PS. I think he would play with the eagles today if asked. He might even pay to do it.

I couldn’t put this down and read it in 3 goes.It’s a brilliant account of Felder’s rise as a struggling but talented musician from his youth to the end of his long career with The Eagles. It’s full of anecdotes and fascinating insights into how this epic band worked and is a very good accompaniment to the Eagles documentary.Many parts of the story make uncomfortable reading. It’s clear from many accounts that Don and Glenn saw themselves as The Eagles and everyone else merely ‘sidemen’ there just to enhance their performances. This is a very stupid idea as Don Henley for all his wonderful lyrics was totally lacking in any stage persona at all. Glenn Frey also was nowhere near as talented as he thought himself. Their success was due in part to first, luck, then the magic mix of players within the band and finally probably adding an extra guitarist, Felder to the lineup. Before that they were a ‘are well country or are we rock’ type band. Bands are often successful to a combination of players, material and finding the right market at the right time. And Randy Meisner was very pretty! The Eagles were the best selling band in America once and for Henley and Frey not to recognise the efforts of the other band members says very little for them. Their attitude often bullying. Felder was brave to include the fact he begged for his job back when he was suddenly sacked. That made awkward reading. Although his former wife was totally right when she said it might be the best thing that ever happened to him. And it was. He’d made the money and could sit back away from the misery. A great book about being careful what you wish for but daring to reach high.Oh special mention goes to the hilarious digs at Glenn’s vanity - his awful acting career and his poor sax playing.

Not a lot of books like this to read. (Please what are the others?)Very very interesting. Lots of detail and good information about the other players. His version of so many things is good. For example the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame speeches -just look at the faces and read what Don says about that event. Fascinating.Do also read the other books about the Eagles. I will reread TO THE LIMIT by Marc Elliott.I would have liked to have learnt more about the money and Irving Azoff deals but Don's a musician.Certainly I have come to appreciate Randy Meisner and his high notes so much. On You Tube I only look /listen to Eagles songs when he was there.. 'Take it to the limit' and 'One of these nights' come to mind but you can hear him on so many songs. Even on the Rock and Rock Hall of fame songs you can hear Randy's high notes and Don's guitar.Thnak you Don.

He does go on and on and on about money, for someone who claims to be 'all about the music' its a bit strange.He is a good musician, but the reason he made tens of millions of dollars is because he played with 2 of the greatest songsmiths of the 20th century.Jo Walsh was right, he should have just stopped complaining and causing problems, thanked them for the millions he was earing and left it there.Sure he wrote basic music for Hotel California, but they made it great.His solo work is garbage. He's a good musician, but not that good, and doesn't seem to understand this. He was lucky enough to be with musicians far above his skills, but talks like he deserved equal billing he did not.The book is interesting but full of whining and complaining, about how hard done by he was, he was not.Still, I thank him for this very touching and intelligent book.

Enjoyed the book very much, don't take too much notice of the review that says the book is very badly written because it isn't, it is done in a straight forward style which is very easy to follow and to get engrossed in. The description of Don's early life in Gainesville, Florida, is quite absorbing with his problems with Polio and relations with his father in his "dirt poor" upbringing. He found an escape through music with future stars such as Stephen Stills (who played in Felder's first band The Continentals), Tom Petty (to whom he gave guitar lessons) and The Allman Brothers all featuring in his early life. Meeting Bernie Leadon, who would later become a bandmate in The Eagles was a pivotal moment as he encouraged the young Felder with his playing and eventually got him to move out to the West Coast where Don's career really took off when he jammed with The Eagles and shortly after received the phone call from Glenn Frey asking him to join the band full time. The writing and development of the song "Hotel California" on which Felder was the main songwriter is very interesting and the fleshing out of the original idea with contributions from Joe Walsh and Don Henley makes fascinating reading. The ending of the book I found somewhat sad with Felder thrown out of The Eagles in 2001 and the ensuing court cases and recrimination. Fine book, if you like rock music in general you will like this a lot, I'm sure.

If you are a Don Felder and an Eagles fan then this is a must read for you. It tells the true story of a young boy growing up during the start of Rock & Roll and learning to play the guitar and maturing to a great musician. It goes on to tell the story of how the line up changed thus changing the style of one of the worlds greatest bands. How the in fighting caused a breakup for 14yrs and then the re-grouping of the ban. Definitely a good read.