On Friday, December 3, Don Felder, guitarist for the Eagles, spoke at Full Sail Live. Felder was born in Gainesville, Florida. At age 10 he got his first guitar by trading a handful of cherry bombs to the neighbor across the street. While in school he started the band The Continentals with Steven Stills (of Crosby, Stills, and Nash). He also attended school with Bernie Leadon, who later became a part of the Eagles. Other events of importance during this time in Felder’s life were that he taught himself guitar by listening to songs over and over again. His father had bought an old reel-to-reel recorder that he taught Felder how to record with. This spurred his early interest in producing. Felder also gave Tom Petty guitar lessons, while Felder received lessons on how to play slide guitar from Duane Allman (Allman Brothers).
Felder moved and began working in a recording studio in Boston. He got the position because he said he knew he wanted to work there and would not give up. In 1974, Felder added slide guitar onto the song “Good Day In Hell” by the Eagles. The next day he was asked to join the band. Previously Felder had been touring with Crosby & Nash, but decided to take a chance on The Eagles. While with them he helped write hits like “Hotel California,” which he recalls writing the intro to when he was inspired, watching his family playing on the beach.
It was interesting hearing about Felder’s background and what lead him to join The Eagles who were a huge success. One of the most important messages Felder told the audience was never to give up, to learn what you want to do and do it well, and keeping pushing forward. I agree that these are important because I believe that the more effort you put into your dreams, something good will eventually come out of it.
Felder wrapped up his lecture by playing four well know Eagles songs, starting with “Hotel California.” He then did a Q&A session with the audience.
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