The song appears on his forthcoming The Vault record
Legendary guitarist and songwriter Don Felder has released “Hollywood Victim,” the next single from his forthcoming studio album, The Vault – Fifty Years of Music, arriving May 23rd via Frontiers Music Srl. The album, his first in five years, is a career-spanning collection featuring re-recorded demos and unreleased gems from his extensive musical journey, including tracks originally submitted for Eagles albums.
“Hollywood Victim” offers a scathing look at the allure and pitfalls of fame, serving as a modern companion to Felder’s iconic “Hotel California.” Originally penned in the early ‘90s for the Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over Tour, the track tells the story of starry-eyed dreamers who arrive in Hollywood with high hopes, only to become casualties of the city’s ruthless entertainment machine. With searing guitar work and poignant storytelling, “Hollywood Victim” captures the seductive yet unforgiving nature of Tinseltown.
In addition to “Hollywood Victim,” The Vault features a range of stylistic influences and all-star collaborations, including contributions from Steve Lukather, David Paich, Greg Phillinganes, Chad Smith, Matt & Gregg Bissonette and Nathan East. The album includes everything from classic rock anthems to introspective ballads, culminating in the poignant closer “Blue Skies,” a heartfelt tribute to Felder’s late Eagles bandmate Glenn Frey.
The multi-talented Felder is also a best-selling New York Times author (Heaven and Hell: My Life in the Eagles), a TV host (the MTV spoof FTV), and a soundtrack composer, having contributed two tracks to Heavy Metal and the score for the 1986 CBS cartoon series Galaxy High. Over the course of his career, he has collaborated with artists such as the Bee Gees, Diana Ross, Barbra Streisand, and Andy Gibb, as well as contributing guitars to Stevie Nicks’ first two solo albums.
Felder remains a relentless creative force, balancing studio work with a packed touring schedule, including this summer’s Brotherhood of Rock Tour alongside Styx and Kevin Cronin.
