Don Henley resumes testifying in trial over ‘Hotel California’ draft lyrics

Don Henley resumes testifying in trial over ‘Hotel California’ draft lyrics

NEW YORK — Seated in a courtroom witness box, Don Henley opened a large brown envelope Tuesday and paged through the aging yellow sheets of a legal pad. “Well, it’s got two song titles written on the top,” he explained when asked what it contained. “’After the Thrill is Gone’ and ‘One of These Nights.’” … Read more

Witness at trial recounts fatal shooting of cinematographer by Alec Baldwin

Witness at trial recounts fatal shooting of cinematographer by Alec Baldwin

SANTA FE, N.M. — Testimony at trial Monday turned emotional and argumentative as an eyewitness recounted the fatal 2021 shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a movie rehearsal and described gun misfires, crew members walking out and a “ludicrous” pace of work. Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, who was the armorer for the upcoming Western … Read more

Eagles’ Don Henley quizzed at lyrics trial about time a naked 16-year-old girl overdosed at his home

Eagles’ Don Henley quizzed at lyrics trial about time a naked 16-year-old girl overdosed at his home

NEW YORK — Don Henley was asked in a New York courtroom Monday about a seamy episode from his past: his 1980 arrest after authorities said they found drugs and a naked 16-year-old girl suffering from an overdose at the Eagles co-founder’s Los Angeles home. Henley was testifying at an unrelated criminal trial, where three … Read more

Alec Baldwin to stand trial this summer on a charge stemming from deadly ‘Rust’ movie set shooting

Alec Baldwin to stand trial this summer on a charge stemming from deadly ‘Rust’ movie set shooting

SANTA FE, N.M. — A New Mexico judge has set a trial date for Alec Baldwin on an involuntary manslaughter charge stemming from the 2021 deadly shooting on the set of the Western movie “Rust.” The scheduling order entered Monday calls for jury selection to begin July 9, with the trial starting the following day … Read more

Eagles’ Don Henley takes the stand at ‘Hotel California’ lyrics trial

Eagles’ Don Henley takes the stand at ‘Hotel California’ lyrics trial

NEW YORK — Don Henley took the stand Monday at the criminal trial surrounding what he says were stolen, handwritten draft lyrics to “Hotel California” and other Eagles hits. The Eagles co-founder was expected to tell his version of how handwritten pages from the development of the band’s blockbuster 1976 album made their way from … Read more

Backstory of disputed ‘Hotel California’ lyrics pages ‘just felt thin,’ ex-auction exec tells court

Backstory of disputed ‘Hotel California’ lyrics pages ‘just felt thin,’ ex-auction exec tells court

NEW YORK — The explanation given for the source of 13 pages of drafts of lyrics to the Eagles’ “Hotel California” raised red flags to a prominent auction house, a former executive testified Friday at a criminal trial surrounding the handwritten pages. Former Christie’s manuscripts chief Tom Lecky was initially excited by the 2015 opportunity … Read more

Trial of ‘Rust’ armorer to begin in fatal film rehearsal shooting by Alec Baldwin

Trial of ‘Rust’ armorer to begin in fatal film rehearsal shooting by Alec Baldwin

SANTA FE, N.M. — Attorneys prepared to make opening statements Thursday at the first trial related to the fatal shooting of a cinematographer by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal for the Western film “Rust.” Before Baldwin’s case progresses, the movie’s weapons supervisor is being tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence … Read more

Jury selection begins for trial of “Rust” armorer in fatal 2021 shooting

Jury selection begins for trial of “Rust” armorer in fatal 2021 shooting

SANTA FE, N.M. — Prosecutors in New Mexico are pursuing accountability for the 2021 death of a cinematographer who was fatally shot by actor Alec Baldwin during a rehearsal for the Western film “Rust.” Before Baldwin’s case progresses, the armorer on the set is being tried on charges of involuntary manslaughter and tampering with evidence. … Read more

Criminal case over handwritten lyrics to ‘Hotel California’ goes to trial

Criminal case over handwritten lyrics to ‘Hotel California’ goes to trial

NEW YORK — A criminal case involving handwritten lyrics to the classic rock megahit “Hotel California” and other Eagles favorites went to trial Wednesday in New York, with three men accused of scheming to thwart band co-founder Don Henley’s efforts to reclaim the allegedly ill-gotten documents. The trial concerns about 100 pages of drafts of … Read more

Welcome to the ‘Hotel California’ case: The trial over handwritten lyrics to an Eagles classic

Welcome to the ‘Hotel California’ case: The trial over handwritten lyrics to an Eagles classic

NEW YORK — In the mid-1970s, the Eagles were working on a spooky, cryptic new song. On a lined yellow pad, Don Henley, with input from band co-founder Glenn Frey, jotted thoughts about “a dark desert highway” and “a lovely place” with a luxurious surface and ominous undertones. And something on ice, perhaps caviar or … Read more