Don Henley Testifies at Trial Involving Stolen Eagles Lyrics
Henley Opens Up About Regrettable Past Incident and Unauthorized Auction
New York, February 26, 2024
Renowned musician Don Henley testified on Monday at a criminal trial regarding stolen, handwritten draft lyrics to the Eagles’ iconic songs, including their hit “Hotel California.” However, the arrest that Henley faced in 1980 resurfaced during his testimony, shedding light on a dark moment from his past.
During his testimony, Henley spoke about a night in November 1980 when he made a “poor decision” by calling a sex worker to his Los Angeles home in an attempt to escape his post-band breakup depression. Authorities found drugs and a 16-year-old sex worker suffering from an overdose. Henley expressed deep regret over his actions but clarified that he did not have sexual intercourse with the sex worker, though he admitted to using cocaine with her.
Henley called firefighters for assistance, and when the paramedics declared the sex worker to be in good health, they left the scene. However, they contacted the police, who arrived hours later to find the recovered sex worker preparing to leave with a friend.
In 1981, Henley pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, leading to probation, a $2,500 fine, and a request for a drug education program. Henley’s presence at the trial in New York, despite its initial purpose to discuss the stolen lyrics, made him the focus of the proceedings.
Henley’s Involvement in the Stolen Lyrics Case
The trial revolves around 100 pages of legal-pad paper containing draft lyrics for multiple songs from the Eagles’ widely successful 1976 album, “Hotel California.” These pages, considered extremely personal and private to the band, found their way into a Southern California barn and eventually ended up at various auctions in New York.
Henley, the lead singer and drummer of the Eagles, reported the lyrics as stolen after they surfaced at these auctions. He took the stand on Monday, explaining that the pages contained discarded, early versions of the lyrics for songs that went through a creative refining process.
Asserting their personal nature, Henley emphasized that it was never intended for the public to see these early versions, referring to them as “the stupid stuff” they jotted down. Despite feeling uneasy about having to purchase the pages himself, Henley bought back four of the stolen pages for $8,500 in 2012 to remove them from public circulation.
Defendants Face Charges of Possessing Stolen Property
Three collectibles professionals—Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi, and Edward Kosinski—stand as defendants in the trial. They face charges of criminally possessing stolen property. Horowitz, a rare-book dealer, and Inciardi, a rock memorabilia specialist, obtained the stolen pages from writer Ed Sanders, who collaborated with the Eagles for a band biography in 1979, a project that never saw the light of day.
While the defendants and their legal representatives argue that the acquisition of the lyrics was legal, the prosecutor accuses them of colluding to mask the ownership of the pages and attempting to sell them despite Henley’s plea for their return.
Henley’s Stance on Artist Rights and Copyright Laws
Henley’s involvement in the trial aligns with his fierce advocacy for artists’ rights. Over the years, he fought for musicians’ ability to reclaim ownership of their old recordings and spoke against online platforms enabling free file-sharing without artists’ consent.
In 1999, he clashed with Congress over a copyright law change, which was later reversed in 2000 due to the efforts of Henley and other musicians. Furthermore, Henley’s lawsuits against unauthorized use of his songs and the unauthorized creation of merchandise bearing his name exemplify his dedication to protecting artists’ intellectual property.
In 2020, Henley testified before Congress once more, urging the update of copyright laws to combat online piracy. Through his actions and advocacy, Henley continues to champion the rights of musicians and creators.
As the trial continues, the significance of Henley’s testimony and the fate of the stolen Eagles’ lyrics feature prominently in the courtroom proceedings.