Eagles Guitarist Don Felder Hurries Off Stage Due to Emergency Situation
Don Felder. Scott Legato/Getty Images
Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder had to leave the stage abruptly after experiencing a medical issue on Thursday, February 13.
“[Don] is doing much better,” his management conveyed to fans through an Instagram Story on Friday, February 14.
Audience recorded video captured during Thursday’s show on the Rock Legends Cruise XII seemed to show Felder, 77, dedicating a rendition of “Tequila Sunrise” to his late bandmate Glenn Frey. He began playing his guitar but then appeared disoriented, clutching the stage microphone for support.
A stagehand quickly approached to assist Felder, and together with his fellow band members, they helped him offstage as the audience gasped in concern.
“We love you, Don,” one fan shouted as he was led away.
After the alarming incident, Felder’s management issued a statement via his Instagram Story stating that the guitarist was treated for dehydration.
“We want to express our gratitude for everyone’s concern regarding Don Felder’s unexpected interruption to his performance on the Rock Legends Cruise,” the message stated. “After receiving medical attention, he was confirmed to be suffering from dehydration. He was treated with fluids and is now feeling much better.”
Felder was scheduled for several additional performances on the cruise, including one on Friday, but will now take some time to recover.
“We are arranging to reschedule [Friday’s] performances and modifying the rest of the cruise plans accordingly,” the announcement continued. “Thank you for your understanding, and as a reminder, remember to stay hydrated!”
The iconic guitarist was among numerous classic rock legends headlining the cruise that departed from Miami on Wednesday, February 12, heading towards CocoCay in the Bahamas. Other notable acts slated to perform include Alice Cooper, Styx, John Waite, and Foghat, before the ship docks on Monday, February 17.
Meanwhile, Eagles fans recently learned that the band’s touring guitarist Steuart Smith, who took over for Felder in 2001, is retiring after being diagnosed with Parkinsonism, a collection of motor symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and related disorders.
“With deep regret, I must announce that, due to performance-related issues stemming from my recent diagnosis of Parkinsonism, I feel compelled to step back from my role with the Eagles while I can still do so with dignity,” he stated in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in January. “It has been an incredible 25 years, and I hoped to finish the year with the band, but I must prioritize what’s best for everyone involved.”
Smith, 72, participated in the Eagles’ Las Vegas residency at the Sphere from September 20 to December 14, 2024, but was absent during their January return to the venue. He had served as co-lead guitarist alongside Joe Walsh for over two decades.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images Steuart Smith has announced his retirement as the Eagles’ lead guitarist after being diagnosed with Parkinsonism. Smith, 72, served as the band’s touring co-lead guitarist for 24 years alongside Joe Walsh. Smith joined the Eagles for the first part of their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere from September 20 to December […]
The group’s drummer and vocalist, Don Henley, later confirmed that session guitarist Chris Holt would be replacing Smith for the remaining Sphere shows.
“The Eagles will always be grateful for the exceptional talents that [Smith] contributed to both our recordings and live performances,” stated Henley, 77. “Steuart will be truly missed, but he will forever remain a part of our musical family. We know our many fans join us in extending their best wishes to him.”
The band’s co-founder Frey passed away in January 2016 due to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. Frey had battled rheumatoid arthritis since 2000 and had to cancel a tribute to the Eagles at the Kennedy Center Honors event in December 2015, shortly before his death.
