Saturday, April 11, 2009
Spotlight 29 Casino
Coachella, California

Story by Lisa Robyn Lawrence
Photos by Cathy Jardine

To see more Cathy Jardine photos of Don Felder, click here.

Don Felder took command of the stage at Spotlight 29 Casino in Coachella, Calif., carrying his double-neck guitar and started right into his biggest hit, “Hotel California." The adoring audience whooped, hooted and roared their appreciation. Everyone was singing along with Felder. There was a killer guitar duet with Felder and very animated and colorful guitarist Frank Simes, who has backed many of the biggest names in rock ‘n’ roll. The crowd went wild.

The night’s music included many familiar and nostalgic songs either written by or co-written by Felder. From the opening bars of "Already Gone," to the guitar riff where Felder tore it up, there was no question that the man can play! "One of These Nights" had another indescribable guitar riff that is best described as guitarists on a double shot of Red Bull.

Felder must have made at least 10 guitar changes during the show. After each song or two, Felder changed guitars from double neck, to electric, to acoustic and back to another electric, and on and on.

I witnessed Felder’s slide guitar in "Victim of Love," which was followed by "Peaceful Easy Feeling." When Felder sang and gestured with his hand “right here” to the line, “I wanna sleep with you in the desert tonight, with a billion stars all around,” the audience erupted into cheers of approval.

Many more songs, "Tequila Sunrise," "Heavy Metal" and "Long Run" had the audience singing along. Then, when he went into "Witchy Woman," many of the women in the audience couldn’t help standing up and dancing. There was a tribute to Stevie Wonder with "Superstition," which had the entire audience singing and going wild.

One of Felder’s biggest fans in the audience, Donna Garcia, was up on her feet and couldn’t stop dancing with her hands in the air as she sang along with every song. Garcia couldn’t get enough of Felder’s music. She said it was the best concert ”ever.”

After the performance, Felder came out to autograph his new, tell-all and very controversial book “Heaven and Hell” as well as other memorabilia for his adoring fans. Felder was so cordial he even stopped to have his photo taken with many of fans. Who could pass up such an exciting experience? I know I couldn’t.

Even our favorite local DJ, a very talented musician in his own right, Brad Mercer from The Eagle 106.9, and his terrific wife Connie were there to meet Felder Mercer had aired his insightful interview with Felder just this week.

Well done, Brad!

Many thanks to Don Felder for not "Takin’ It Easy” with us at Spotlight 29, but gave us your “all.”

A big "thank you" goes out to Spotlight 29 and its fantastic staff for yet another great night of entertainment.

To see more Cathy Jardine photos of Don Felder, click here.

Don’t miss Don Felder’s new book, “Heaven and Hell,” For more about Don Felder, click here.

For more on Brad Mercer, click here.

For more about Spotlight 29 Casino, click here.