Together Forever: Fifty Years Of Music

Don “Fingers” Felder, best known for his 27-year tenure with the Eagles and his role in crafting iconic tracks like “Hotel California” and “Victim of Love,” continues to build on his impressive legacy.

A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Felder has also forged a successful solo career with multiple albums and contributions to film scores, along with best-selling author status for his 2008 memoir Heaven and Hell.

His latest, and fourth solo release, The Vault 1975-2025 Fifty Years Of Music, marks a unique milestone in his storied career, offering a stunning collection of newly recorded versions of songs originally demoed over a span of five decades.

From the album opener, “Move On,” a song from 1974, to “I Like the Things You Do,” written in 2023, The Vault offers a comprehensive look at Felder’s rich musical history. The album’s title reflects this expansive journey through time, blending timeless rock anthems with heartfelt ballads in a way that only Felder can.

And he has recently been opening up for both rock heavyweights Styx and the Kevin Cronin Band for their collective “Brotherhood of Rock Tour 2025,” so it was amazing that we caught him enjoying some downtime today; and with enough time to chat about his brand new album, his time spent on tour this year, an Eagles memory, and, oh yeah, penguins!

Fifty Years of Music:
You have just released your new album The Vault: Fifty Years of Music, an 11-track collection of newly recorded versions of songs you have demoed over the years, so which of the cuts are the most personal to you? - “They all have a special meaning. Move On was the first demo I ever submitted when I joined the Eagles, so that’s kind of special. Together Forever was a song I recorded with my daughter as a token to have when I’m not longer on this earth. I Like The Things You Do was a new one I wrote about my girlfriend Jaden. There’s so many special parts to this album, I can’t pinpoint just one.”

A lot of rock royalty came to play on the album, but who was the one stand out for you that once you heard they were on board made your heart grow three sizes that day? - “Any day these incredibly talented (and busy) musicians say they will be on a track of mine is a great day. I’m lucky everyone all agreed to it, and I’d return the favor in a heart beat. They are all great buddies of mine so it’s always an honor.”

Was there a track that turned out to be the hardest one to get finished, for whatever reason? - “There wasn’t necessarily one track that was harder than another per se. Every track is a labor of love, and I work on it until I feel like it really is the greatest it can be. I won’t put a piece of work out that is half done and not up to what I think is my greatest potential as an artist. This album is a reflection of myself and my writing and work. So I put whatever time is needed into getting it to where I’m happy with the finished product.”

All the songs were previously-unreleased so where were they hiding all these years? - “I moved out of Malibu and put my entire studio into storage for the time being. Eventually I found a house that used to be owned by Seal. He had his own studio in the house so I decided to leave the old recording technology behind and basically build a new studio. It wasn’t until I wanted to get rid of my storage unit that I had to go through everything in order to empty it out.”

“I came across boxes and boxes of old demos I did dating back to my days in the Eagles. We wanted to transfer them to digital so I didn’t lose them, and I’d hear a demo start and go “wow that was a really great slide progression. Put a star next to that.” Eventually as more and more transferred I had 5 to 6 tracks that I wanted to go back and actually finish.”

The 2025 Tour:
You have been on tour this year with Kevin Cronin and Styx so what have already been a stand-out moment or two from those dates so far? - “Both bands are groups of amazing people to be around. I’ve toured with Styx, and the prior configuration of REO Speedwagon+ the new Kevin Cronin Band, on and off since 2014. So being able to get back out with them, it’s really like a family. I’m an early riser so I’d go into catering and sit and have breakfast with the semi-truck drivers and bus drivers. I’d go and hangout with the crews across all three bands during the day.”

“There isn’t an ego in the bunch. Everyone is like family. I think that can be rare to come across on the road and is probably the standout moment of the tour. Just being able to be together, laugh, have a fun time, play some great music and do what we all love.

When your set is done, do you usually stay and watch the other bands or are you out of the venue minutes later, back to the hotel for a shower and some food? - “As soon as I took my final bow, I would go immediately to catering to eat dinner before they took it down for the eventing, ha ha. After that I’d usually shower and pack up, and clean up for the night. Sometimes I’d go either to the house or off stage, and watch the other acts but I start my days early so I’m usually in bed pretty early too. I’d be asleep on our bus before we pulled out of the lot, ha ha.”

We all witnessed your worrying smaller stage health issue from a few months ago, where it was said you had suffered from dehydration, so how did that all go down from your point of view and how are you subsequently changing the way you play live shows now? - “We had travels cross country the day before from LA to Miami and usually I drink a Liquid IV or hydration packet in my water but I was just working the whole time on the flight. The next day it was an early morning, board the ship, go through all the safety procedures, and then a show that night. I was completely fine before the show, I was talking to my manager seconds before going on. Once I got halfway through it was like someone had reached for the dimmer and just slowly dimmed the lights.”

“My girlfriend Jaden who is at almost every show, and knows my every movement by now, noticed something was off and came out to keep me from falling. I got down to the medical center and they ran every test and said I was just dehydrated. They gave me some heavy duty hydration drinks, time to make sure I was hydrated and well rested, then I went on to play two shows 36 hours later. Now moving forward I make sure to drink some kind of hydration drink leading up to the show that way we can hopefully avoid that from happening again.”

Eagles:
I would be remiss if I didn’t ask at least one Eagles question, and so knowing you were in the band from 1974-2001 (an incredible 27 years), and knowing all the career highlights you have amassed, if you could go back to one moment and relive it which would it be and why? - “I recall the first show I ever played with the Eagles. It was on the Chumash Indian reservation. Neil Young was also on this show. I got a real look at the Native American reservation poverty, poor medical care, alcoholism, children running barefoot in ragged clothes and my heart told me I should keep helping these tribes that don’t have any assistance.”

“The tribal Chief gave me a silver eagles talon necklace and I have worn it for every show I’ve played since then as a reminder of the help these people need. Ever other year I play the Rock Legends Cruise which raises millions of dollars for the Native American tribes that don’t have casinos. That first show has stuck with me over all these decades.”

The Future:
Have you already begun writing songs for a 2026/27 album of new material, perhaps? And if so, could you please give us the exclusive of a working title? - “I have just come off a busy touring summer, and have only been home about two days since. I haven’t even began to think of a new album ha ha! Because I tour so much, all year long, and even though I have a studio in my home, it takes a bit longer for me to be in the studio. I’m working on having a great work life balance. I have an amazing growing family I love spending time with, and want to make sure I take advantage of time at home. But never say never. I’d like to try and get at least one more studio album out before I retire.”

And what does the future hold for Don Felder? - “Well right now until Sept 6th, 2025 if you head over to Official Don Felder Sweepstakes you will see we are actually running the Rock And Roll Retreat Sweepstakes. 100% of the proceeds from this goes directly to benefit St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. There’s no administrative fees being taken out, or money shaved off somewhere. 100% goes to St Jude. For every $50 donated you get one entry to the drawing.”

“The amazing musical prize package includes: round trip domestic airfare for TWO to Nashville, 3 nights in the incredible Broadway Suite at the Westin Nashville. The winner will get a white double neck 1275 like I play on Hotel. They will get a tour of the Gibson Garage include their historic, and very private vault, which houses all of their most historical guitar pieces! That’s not open to the public ever so it’s a cool experience.”

“Then backstage at the Gibson Garage the winner will get a 1-on-1 guitar lesson from me! The last time I taught a guitar lesson was back in Gainesville to a young Tom Petty! So you never know what a few lessons can lead to, ha ha! The next day the winner will attend, as my guest, a showcase at Gibson where I’ll be speaking and playing. And lastly the Musicians Hall of Fame is donating tickets for the winner and their plus one to go through and see all the incredible displays inside.”

“Heck as an inductee of the HOF, I could even go in and show you my display and we can go through together. It’s all just a great way to come together, raise money for a good cause, and make some great musical memories for the lucky winner! Now until Sept 6th, 2025 the sweepstakes is open so head on over to my website and enter today!”

For more details you can also CLICK THIS LINK to view the full press release.

Finally, and yes, we ask everyone we interview this question (as we are putting together a cute book for children’s about them), do you like penguins and do you possibly have a story about growing up with one (a soft toy or one at the zoo)? - “The only Penguin encounter or story I have is that I fell in love with a White Gretsch Penguin guitar very early on in my career and have wanted one for decades. I just found one this year and purchased it and love it more than I ever expected.”

Interviewed by: Russell A. Trunk

www.donfelder.com

Official Don Felder Sweepstakes Link

Official The Vault 1975-2025 Fifty Years Of Music Purchase Links

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