Best known as a lead guitarist for The Eagles for many years, Don Felder will be playing the International Showroom inside the Westgate Hotel and Casino (formerly the Las Vegas Hilton) on Friday, March 3, 2023.
Felder, of course, first rose to prominence when he joined The Eagles circa 1974. Initially invited to play slide guitar on the band’s ON THE BORDER album, he quickly became a full-time member of the group, co-writing some of the band’s biggest hits, including the title cut from their most famous album, 1976’s HOTEL CALIFORNIA. But Felder’s time in the band was not without animosity, and the flaring tempers in the group resulted in their eventual disbandment. During Felder’s original tenure in the band, the lone song he performed lead vocals on was “Visions,” from their 1975 album ONE OF THESE NIGHTS.
The disbandment of The Eagles didn’t spell the end of Felder’s career. His most famous non-Eagles contribution to the world of popular music is the song “Heavy Metal (Takin’ a Ride)” from the soundtrack to the 1981 animated film HEAVY METAL, which also featured his former bandmates Timothy B. Schmit and Don Henley. His first solo album, AIRBORNE, was released in 1983.
Felder reunited with The Eagles, with whom he remained until 2001, appearing on the group’s seminal live reunion album, HELL FREEZES OVER. Following his departure from the group, he recorded two more solo albums, 2012’s ROAD TO FOREVER and 2019’s AMERICAN ROCK AND ROLL, which featured musical guests like Slash, Orianthi, Alex Lifeson, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, and Sammy Hagar.
Felder’s contributions to the world of popular music, both in and out of The Eagles, are not to be overlooked, and being able to see him rock the stage that Elvis Presley once graced so many years ago, will certainly be a worthwhile experience. This rock fan knows where he’ll be on March 3!
