Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder shared his thoughts about leaving the band in a recent interview with SiriusXM.
“You know, when good things happen, that’s fantastic, but when bad things happen, that make you make a change… that’s intentional. It’s there to push you out to do something else,” Felder said.
“And that’s exactly what happened when I left the Eagles. I was forced, myself, ’cause I still had the talent, still had the skills, to rebuild myself as a solo artist, and read, write, and record everything I could, as I like it, as I wanted to, without … a band control or anything like that,” he continued.
“I could just do whatever I want. I want to tour, I can go tour. I want to make a record, I can make a record. I like these songs, I’ll put ’em out. I don’t like these songs, I’m not gonna put ’em out. So it was a freeing, liberating thing for me to step outside of that organization,” Felder explained.
The guitarist reflected on his departure more than two decades after leaving one of rock’s most successful bands.
Taste of Country revealed that Felder’s departure occurred on February 6, 2001. The split followed escalating tensions with co-founders Glenn Frey and Don Henley. Creative differences and internal conflicts had been growing within the band for years.
The split led to legal complications. Ultimate Classic Rock documented Felder’s $50 million lawsuit against his former bandmates. He filed the suit shortly after his dismissal, citing wrongful termination and breach of contract.
Felder has built a successful solo career since leaving the band. He focused on pursuing his own musical vision. His relationship with the band remained strained, as evidenced by his absence from their History of the Eagles tour from 2013 to 2015.
Felder’s impact on the Eagles’ legacy endures through his contributions. He co-wrote their iconic hit ‘Hotel California.’ His distinctive guitar work helped define the band’s sound throughout his tenure from 1974 to 2001.
