Dallas resident also adds guitar signed by band for Heritage Auctions’ charity auction
Don Henley’s handwritten lyrics to their 1973 hit “Desperado” is no the auction block for Heritage Auctions’ charity supporting the North Texas Food Bank. The Eagles co-founder, singer and songwriter asked how he could participate in DFW Sports Superstars “In This Together” auction. In the end he also offered a guitar signed by the band’s current line-up which includes Vince Gill and Deacon Frey, son of the late Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey.
One hundred percent of the total proceeds, including the entire Buyer’s Premium, will go to the North Texas Food Bank, whose resources have been strained to the breaking point in recent weeks, with so many of our neighbors left hungry and in need.
Bidding is now open online and runs through May 13th, culminating that night with a live online auction that begins at 8 pm CT.
Henley co-wrote “Desperado” with his friend and co-conspirator Glenn Frey. Of the all the many hits and mainstays in the band’s catalog, “Desperado” is the standard, even if listeners do not know who wrote or sang it. The band recorded the song in London with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, but Henley said he never liked his recorded vocals that were captured in a few takes.
The handwritten lyric sheet up for grabs is newly written lyrics Henley penned at the end of April specifically for this auction, and not the original 1973 ones. He created a special, one-of-a-kind keepsake for one lucky fan: handwritten lyrics to a song that continues to resonate with fans and seems quite appropriate in these disquieting times.
The acoustic guitar is signed by the current iteration of the band featuring Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Deacon Frey, Vince Gill and Henley.
Only a few weeks ago, the Eagles were in the middle of their Hotel California Tour, playing that classic 1976 album in its entirety – for the first time, ever – along with a greatest hits set. Shows lasted for more than three hours, a break from the 24/7 news cycle, Henley would say from the stage. The reviews from the road were stellar. “The Eagles Fly High With Epic ‘Hotel California’ Show at Madison Square Garden,” read the Rolling Stone headline.
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the trek was postponed until fall 2021.
Heritage Auctions is the largest fine art and collectibles auction house founded in the United States, and the world’s largest collectibles auctioneer. Heritage maintains offices in New York, Dallas, Beverly Hills, San Francisco, Chicago, Palm Beach, London, Paris, Geneva, Amsterdam and Hong Kong.
