Don Henley Testifies in Trial Over Eagles’ Lyrics
Seventies Hits at the Center of a Legal Battle
Seated in a courtroom witness box, Don Henley unveiled a collection of aged, handwritten song lyrics in a New York court on Tuesday. Henley, the co-founder of the Eagles, testified about his decade-long effort to reclaim the disputed lyrics, including those to the iconic song “Hotel California”.
Henley opened several envelopes to reveal the yellowed legal pad pages, which he confirmed to be his own handwriting, and sometimes that of his former bandmate, Glenn Frey. These pages included draft lyrics to their hits “After the Thrill is Gone,” “One of These Nights,” “The Long Run,” and “The Sad Cafe”.
Defendants on Trial for Concealing Lyrics
Three collectibles experts, Edward Kosinski, Craig Inciardi, and Glenn Horowitz, are facing trial for allegedly concealing the ownership of the lyrics pages and attempting to sell them. They have pleaded not guilty to a range of charges, including conspiracy to possess stolen property.
Henley’s Testimony
During his court appearance, Henley answered questions about the creation of “Hotel California,” his past cocaine use and a disputed limousine bill. He asserted that he had never willingly parted with the handwritten pages and believed his property had been stolen.
The Eagles co-founder credited Don Felder, a band guitarist, for providing the guitar chords and drum-machine beat that formed the basis of “Hotel California”. Henley and Frey then composed the lyrics, and between them, along with multiple guitarists, they created one of rock music’s most enduring hits.
Battle Over Ownership
Henley’s efforts to reclaim his lyrics began in 2005 when they were purchased by Glenn Horowitz from writer Ed Sanders, who had worked with the Eagles on an unpublished biography. The lyrics sheets were subsequently sold to Inciardi and Kosinski.
In addition to “Hotel California,” Henley also repurchased lyrics to “Life in the Fast Lane” in 2014 and 2016. Henley claimed that Sanders had only been allowed to view the lyrics and that he had not given permission for their removal.
Defense Highlights
Defense lawyers argued that Henley’s accusations were based on a clause in a 1979 book contract, a contract the defendants were allegedly unaware of. They also questioned the clarity of Henley’s recollection of his interactions with Sanders during a tumultuous period of his life when he faced personal issues, including legal troubles and drug addiction.
The defense sought to provide evidence that Henley and the Eagles had given Sanders insider material during the book project, suggesting that the lyrics may not have been stolen but rather accumulated as part of their collaboration.
No Clear Verdict Yet
The trial, overseen by Judge Curtis Farber, is without a jury, meaning the ultimate decision rests with the judge. The defendants, arguing that they had no knowledge of any theft, have maintained their innocence.
The fate of the disputed lyrics pages rests upon Judge Farber’s verdict, which will determine their rightful ownership and conclude this courtroom battle.
