Don Felder discusses his career-spanning 2025 release, The Vault with GuitarPlayer
Don Felder reveals that his latest album, “The Vault – Fifty Years of Music,” was born out of a simple act of moving. During the process of relocating from Malibu to Beverly Hills, he stumbled upon a box filled with old cassettes, DATs, and tapes dating back to the 1970s when he first joined the Eagles. After rediscovering these recordings 22 years later in a storage locker, Felder decided to bring them home and explore the unfinished song ideas further.
These tapes contained raw, unpolished musical beds and progressions that sparked the creation of new songs like “Together Forever” and revamped versions of old tracks like his 1981 hit “Heavy Metal.” Armed with his ProTools and a guitar, Felder began fleshing out these ideas into complete songs for his album. He emphasizes that “The Vault” is not a collection of old songs but rather a blend of past and present, with only one track intentionally reflecting its mid-’80s origins.
One of the album’s highlights, “Move On,” originated from a slide guitar idea Felder presented to the Eagles during their “One of These Nights” sessions in 1974. The recollection of this early song demonstrates Felder’s journey from providing musical beds for Henley and Frey to unveiling his musical prowess and distinct guitar style. Despite enduring turbulent times with the Eagles, including an on-stage altercation with Frey in 1980 and his subsequent dismissal in 2001, Felder reflects on his tenure with the band as a period of creative collaboration and growth.
Felder’s meticulous approach to songwriting and recording shines through in “The Vault,” showcasing his evolution as a musician over the past five decades. The album’s eclectic mix of new compositions and reimagined classics attests to Felder’s enduring passion for creating music. As he delves into each track’s backstory, from the eponymous “Heavy Metal” to the poignant “Free at Last,” listeners are treated to a glimpse into Felder’s creative process and the inspirations behind his music.
In reinterpreting these old demos and cultivating them into fully realized songs, Felder pays homage to his musical roots while embracing the present moment. Each track on “The Vault” serves as a testament to Felder’s enduring legacy as a guitarist and songwriter, solidifying his position as a rock icon in his own right. As he continues to explore new avenues of creativity, Felder’s latest album is a testament to the timeless quality of music and its ability to captivate audiences across generations.