The Don Felder Site » classic rock

Real Rock and Roll Never Forgets

Felderfans — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:58:29 +0000

This past week, Capitol released Ultimate Hits: Rock And Roll Never Forgets by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band.

It always debatable whether or not a compilation is ever “ultimate,” however, this 2 disc collection comes pretty close. It contains 26 remastered songs including all of Seger’s top ten hits, movie favorites from Beverly Hills Cop and Risky Business, as well as FM-radio staples and best-loved tracks from his million-selling albums.

Recent interview with Bob via WAXQ.FM Morning Show

Forgotten Albums of the 70′s

Mary — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 20:29:28 +0000

I always wondered why Dakota never really made it “big” after releasing their self-titled debut album in 1980. Back in the day, it didn’t really sound any different to me than the more popular Purenittyamericapocoprairiegrittydoobiedirt Band, only plugged in. For for some reason the album ended up spinning its wheels on AOR playlists instead of charting on the American Top 40.

Check out a few of the cuts over on YouTube and if you figure it out, let me know.

Where Are They Now – Jock Bartley

Mary — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 23:30:34 +0000

Don’t know whether is was the fertile soil which ended up in the pots of the marijuana plants or the natural “Rocky Mountain High” at 5000 feet above sea level, but something in Boulder, Colorado in the early 70′s spawned successful recording artists like no other spot on the planet. Everybody hung out there, from the likes of Chicago and Elton John to Stephen Stills and Joe Walsh.

In between all of this “artistry”, guitarist Jock Bartley, along with ex-Flying Burrito Brother Rick Roberts, tested the waters with Firefall
in the local club scene, and before they knew it, they had a record deal. You remember them. A staple on the Adult Contemporary charts, the band scored twelve Top 50 hits between 1976 and 1983. I wore out several C-60 magnetic cassette tapes constantly listening to “You are the Woman,” “Just Remember I Love You” and “Strange Way” on my Panasonic portable.

Like the mountains of Colorado, Bartley is still there, having managed to survive the band’s bazillion configuration changes. Today, Firefall regularly teams up with fellow 70′s icons Poco and Pure Prairie League, a popular casino concert triple billing. Their next solo show is in January.

Both Firefall and the Eagles recorded albums at Criteria Studios in Miami during the 1970′s. You guessed it, this begs another Felder trivia question:
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Where Are They Now – Michael Allsup

Mary — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:21:13 +0000

As much as I hate to give away my age, Three Dog Night was mandatory listening material during my formative years. Founded in 1968, the band’s earliest lineup landed over twenty top-forty hits by 1974, all of which were rotated at our junior high school mixers. And I was still getting mileage out of their stuff by the time I hit college.

Lead guitarist Michael Allsup’s work laces a score of the band’s Billboard heyday tunes, among them “One,” “Never Been to Spain,” “Mama Told Me Not to Come” and “Shambala.” Whether wielding a Les Paul or a Strat, you’ll find him still playing TDN’s greatest hits to a tee live on stage with the current formation.

Incidentally, Mike’s “official web site” charts high on my fave list, pulling in 5+ stars for its Netscape nostalgia, “menus to hell” and sense of humor. Be sure to read his online tales from the rock and roll road.

Three Dog Night’s current tour schedule can be found at their decidedly more conventional site.

“Buffalo” Joe Vitale in Classic Drummer

Mary — Tue, 14 Jun 2011 17:22:38 +0000

Mary with Joe Vitale

‘Bout time for some Joe Vitale news.

Joe’s been out on the road lately with the “old new” Buffalo Springfield. Founding members Stephen Stills, Neil Young and Richie Furay, along with Joe (for Dewey Martin) and Rick Rosas (for Bruce Palmer) performed a couple of days ago at the Bonnaroo Festival after doing a handful of shows in California, and Furay recently confirmed their fall tour (review @ Variety here.)

An interview with Joe is featured in the latest issue of Classic Drummer magazine. There’s also an opportunity for readers to cast their votes online for inductees into the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame. Ironically, Joe’s name is missing from the prepared online ballot, but fortunately, you can write him in.

Who knows where else Joe may turn up in the next few weeks? Stay tuned.

Don, ZZ TOP Together in August

Felderfans — Sat, 28 May 2011 17:03:28 +0000

Don will appear together with ZZ Top
at the Catfish Extravaganza sponsored by the Lions of Greenville, WI on Saturday, August 6 at Lion’s Park.

Should be a rip-roarin’ good time. Doors open at 5:00 pm and it’s general admission. Get tickets online at Ticket Star.

Summerfest with Don & Band

Felderfans — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 08:44:51 +0000

Over the past several weeks, we’ve been watching the organizers of the nation’s largest music festival, Summerfest, reveal their lineup with classic press releases or by throwing announcement parties in and around Milwaukee. Yesterday they officially made public the headliners planned for the Potawatami Bingo Stage and Pavilion. Don will appear with his band there on July 3 at 10 p.m.

Among the other entertainment announced for the Bingo Stage include Max Weinberg, Taj Mahal, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Wanda Jackson, The Spinners, De La Soul and Todd Rundgren.

Many of music’s biggest names are set for this year’s Summerfest (June 29 to July 10). Check out the extensive official site for all of the lineup details. Daily admission and entertainment access info here.

Sunday Radio with Don

Felderfans — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 18:32:53 +0000

Don will once again be the guest on Uncle Joe Benson’s syndicated radio program OFF THE RECORD coming up this Sunday, according to Uncle Joe’s latest Twitter.

Since Off the Record is broadcast independently by radio stations in the U.S. and Canada, exact program times and stations which provide internet streaming vary. Consult the OTR website for a suitable station. Our experience outside the U.S. has shown that you should test a couple of stations well in advance or else you might miss the show.

Happy 35th!

Felderfans — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:00:58 +0000

EAGLES: THEIR GREATEST HITS 1971-75

No 1970′s record collection is complete without it. The record-breaking compilation Eagles: Their Greatest Hits 1971-75 turns 35 today.

Certified 29-times-platinium in the U.S. (meaning 29 million copies shipped to retailers – a feat equalled only by Michael Jackson’s Thriller) the disc is estimated to have sold some 42 million copies worldwide. Four of the album’s five number one Billboard Hot 100 Singles were recorded during Don’s tenure as guitarist, with One of These Nights reaching #1 in August 1975 and Lyin Eyes receiving a Grammy award for Best Pop Group Performance in 1976.

Actually, one could call the success a fluke. The record’s release was only meant to kill time in order for the band to finish work on Hotel California.

What we call it is return on investment!

NAMM 2011

Felderfans — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 14:46:59 +0000

Don stopped by the Gibson booth yesterday at the NAMM show in Anaheim. Who can blame him for not resisting the custom shop Don Felder “Hotel California” ’59 Les Paul?

Earlier in the week, Jackson Browne was on hand to assist Gibson in unveiling their new Jackson Browne signature acoustic.

The NAMM show continues this weekend at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Photo: Harmony Central via Flickr