Net Worth Ranker
What Is Don Felder’s Net Worth
Don Felder, the celebrated American musician and songwriter, primarily known for his tenure as the lead guitarist of the Eagles, has accumulated a substantial net worth of $60 million. This financial standing reflects his successful career spanning several decades, encompassing his contributions to the Eagles, solo endeavors, and songwriting royalties. The $60 million net worth is comprised of royalties from his work with The Eagles, solo album sales, touring income, and investments.
Don Felder’s Career Highlights and Earnings
Felder’s journey in the music industry began in Gainesville, Florida, where he was born on September 21, 1947. His musical inclinations emerged early, with self-taught guitar skills honed by listening to tape recordings at half speed. While specific income figures from his early bands like The Continentals and Maundy Quintet are not publicly available, these experiences laid the groundwork for his future success. Felder taught guitar lessons at a local music shop where one of his students was Tom Petty.
Felder’s career trajectory took a significant turn when he joined the Eagles in 1974. His addition to the band marked a shift towards a more rock-oriented sound. While Felder’s initial earnings with the Eagles for live performances and album work in the mid-1970s aren’t specifically itemized in available sources, the band’s skyrocketing popularity during this time undoubtedly contributed to his growing wealth. As a primary songwriter on “Hotel California” he has received significant songwriting royalties. Album sales for Hotel California have reached over 32 million copies. While specific royalty splits between band members is not publicly available, Felder’s contribution as the composer of the music for “Hotel California” is understood to be substantial.
The release of “Hotel California” in 1976 catapulted the Eagles to international stardom. Felder’s co-writing credit on the title track, “Hotel California,” is a cornerstone of his financial success. While the precise breakdown of royalties from “Hotel California” remains confidential, industry estimates suggest that a song of this magnitude can generate millions of dollars in royalties annually, split between the songwriters, publishers, and other rights holders. Given Felder’s role as the music composer, his share of these royalties is a significant component of his $60 million net worth. After Felder wrote the music, Don Henley wrote the lyrics. “Hotel California” was released as a single in February 1977 and topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart in May.
Following the Eagles’ initial disbandment in 1980, Felder embarked on a solo career. His debut album, “Airborne” (1983), featured the single “Never Surrender,” co-written with Kenny Loggins, which achieved moderate success. While specific sales figures and royalties from “Airborne” are not publicly disclosed, the album helped to sustain Felder’s presence in the music industry and contributed modestly to his overall earnings. Don Henley offered $5,000 a week for Felder to tour with him, but Felder declined.
Felder released two additional solo albums, “Road to Forever” in 2012 and “American Rock and Roll” in 2019. While sales data for these albums are not widely available, they represent Felder’s continued artistic endeavors and income streams. The Eagles “History of the Eagles Tour” took place from 2013-2015. Felder did not participate in the tour. In 2017, Felder toured with REO Speedwagon and Styx. The financial terms of these tours are not public.
Assets and Personal Life Details Impacting Don Felder’s Net Worth
Felder’s personal life, including his marriage to Susan Harris Pickersgill from 1971 to 2000, and his subsequent family life, indirectly influences his financial management and investment decisions. However, specifics regarding his investment portfolio, real estate holdings, or other assets are not publicly available. Given his long career and substantial earnings, it is reasonable to assume that Felder has diversified his investments across various sectors to ensure long-term financial security. Felder and Susan had four children together, and their daughter Leah Felder is married to Brandon Jenner.
The specifics of Felder’s homes, vehicles, or other luxury assets remain private. Information on these topics are not available to the public.
