Don Henley of The Eagles threatens Frank Ocean with legal action over “Hotel California” sample
By Aymen Ahmed / News / February 29, 2012 / 3615 Views

“He threatened to sue if I perform it again. I think that’s fuckin awesome.” That was Frank Ocean’s reaction to news of Don Henley’s disapproval of his sampling of The Eagles 1977 classic “Hotel Calfornia” on “American Wedding,” to which Henley shares writing credits. The OFWGKTA member, who’s performed the track live using a Guitar Hero guitar with the game playing on a large projector behind him on a number of occasions, stated on his Tumblr that “Don Henley is apparently intimidated by my rendition of 'Hotel California',” and is unlikely to perform the track again, at least with that sample until the matter is resolved. In terms of new material, Frank Ocean is set to appear on Odd Future’s The OF Tape Vol. 2, due for release on March 20. Let us know your thoughts on Don Henley’s decision to call out Ocean for using the sample on “American Wedding.”

  • http://www.facebook.com/2xUeL Richard Connerton

    Why make a comment like, "If you can't feel this song I don't think you've lived enough"? You apparently think there is some objective truth about art criticism. Let people have their opinions.

  • http://www.facebook.com/2xUeL Richard Connerton

    It really is a shame that a kid can't create whatever he wants with whatever is at his disposal, but you gotta imagine that taking the whole thing and just changing the lyrics can be seen as a slap in the face, especially if you wrote the original lyrics and especially if you don't like hip hop (not saying that The Eagles necessarily endorse these opinions).

    Also note that WMG is actually the entity demanding a cease and desist, not Henley...though that also doesn't mean Henley isn't behind the whole thing.

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