Guitarist Suing Rock Band Eagles

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” Longtime Eagles guitarist Don Felder has sued two founding members of the rock band, claiming he was wrongly fired. <br><br>The suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims

Monday, February 12th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) â€” Longtime Eagles guitarist Don Felder has sued two founding members of the rock band, claiming he was wrongly fired.

The suit, filed Friday in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims that Don Henley and Glenn Frey abused their authority and acted unfairly when they terminated Felder on Feb. 6.

Lawyers representing Felder did not immediately return calls over the weekend seeking comment.

Felder, 53, joined the band in 1974 and his work is featured in the group's hit, ``Hotel California.''

The suit seeks an accounting of all business transactions made by Eagles Ltd. since Felder joined the band, including record royalties and revenue from touring and merchandise. The suit also seeks to liquidate the company, which is the band's business arm.

``Despite each being a one-third owner of Eagles Ltd., Henley and Frey have consistently treated Felder as a subordinate, with complete disregard for his rights,'' the lawsuit states.

Lawyer Daniel Petrocelli, who represents Henley and Frey, said his clients had a right to terminate Felder. However, the attorney declined to say why Felder was fired.

``The band is going forward,' Petrocelli said Saturday. ``This was done in the best interest of the band.''

The Eagles formed in 1971 in Los Angeles as a backup group for Linda Ronstadt. Felder joined the band after it already had established itself with hits like ``Take It Easy'' and ``Desperado.''