I recently finished reading Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles (1974-2001) by Don Felder, one of the original members of the band “The Eagles.” The book was given to me as a Christmas present by my oldest son, Taylor, because he knew that this was my favorite band of all time.

I found it to be a very revealing look at the inside of the music industry and culture during the turbulent 60′s and 70′s. Really amazing stuff. Don seems to be a person who entered the industry with some moral perspectives and humility from his upbringing, struggled through those years, made a lot of mistakes on his way to the top, but learned through it all and has come out of it a better person than many of his peers.

This is not a book to read for literary enjoyment… but the content is compelling. I have a lower view of fellow band members/founders Don Henley and Glenn Frey after reading this book. They seem petty, egocentric, manipulating and deceitful. Too bad that the group had to end the way it did. Getting rid of Don Felder (who wrote their greatest hit song: Hotel California) was a massively stupid thing to do.

I had thought about trying to see The Eagles on their “Long Road Out of Eden” tour this year, but now I think I’ll pass.

Here are a couple of interesting websites on Don’s life and music:

• Felder Music
• Don Felder Online

An interesting video interview: