Happy 75th Birthday Don Felder

Photo by Tour Bus Live

Today former Eagles guitarist Donald William Felder, aka Don Felder, turns 75-years-old. Felder was the California country band’s lead guitarist from 1974 until 2001 and contributed songwriting to many of the Eagles’ greatest hits including their massive success Hotel California. He first linked up with the band in 1974 when he was called in to add slide guitar to their tune Good Day In Hell, and the band was so impressed that they asked him to become an official member.

To celebrate the big 7-5 of Don Felder, here are some fun facts about the musician you might not have known:

1. Don Felder was first inspired to pursue music when he watched Elvis Presley perform on the Ed Sullivan Show.
2. He got his first guitar at the age of ten which he traded his friend a handful of cherry bombs for.
3. He started his first band at the age of 13 called The Continentals, which Stephen Stills was a member of.
4. Before playing together in the Eagles, Felder and Bernie Leadon were in a band together called The Maudy Quintet during the late ’60s.
5. Felder starred in a musical comedy show called FTV in the mid-1980s.
6. Felder is an avid golfer and even hosts his own golf tournament called The Howard Keel Golf Classic.

In honor of Don Felder’s birthday, watch Don and Joe Walsh shred together on Hotel California with the Eagles live at The Forum in 1977 here: