Don Henley Battles for Ownership of "Hotel California" Lyrics in Civil Lawsuit

Music legend Don Henley has filed a lawsuit to reclaim the handwritten lyrics to the iconic Eagles hit "Hotel California," after a criminal case against alleged thieves was dismissed. The lawsuit alleges that the lyrics were stolen and seeks their return from the custody of the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Don Henley is engaged in a legal battle to recover the original handwritten lyrics to the Eagles' classic "Hotel California." Henley filed a lawsuit Friday in New York, accusing three men of stealing the 100-page manuscript and attempting to sell it for profit.

The lawsuit alleges that Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi, and Edward Kosinski conspired to sell the developmental lyrics to the 1977 hit song. The handwritten pages were allegedly stolen decades ago by Ed Sanders, who was working on an unauthorized book about the Eagles.

Don Henley Battles for Ownership of "Hotel California" Lyrics in Civil Lawsuit

In 2022, the New York District Attorney's office charged Horowitz, Inciardi, and Kosinski with conspiracy in the fourth degree. However, the criminal case was dismissed in March amid newly available emails that defense lawyers argued raised questions about the trial's fairness.

Henley's lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, accused the defendants of exploiting the dismissal to continue peddling the stolen lyrics. He vowed to pursue all legal avenues to recover the manuscript, which Henley maintains belongs to him and his family.

Don Henley Battles for Ownership of "Hotel California" Lyrics in Civil Lawsuit

Henley initially purchased the alleged original lyrics from Kosinski for $8,500 in 2012. However, subsequent attempts by Kosinski and Inciardi to sell additional pages of the lyrics raised concerns that the initial sale may have been fraudulent.

The lawsuit seeks the return of the lyrics, which are currently in the custody of the Manhattan District Attorney's office. The defendants have been ordered to appear in court on June 15.

Don Henley Battles for Ownership of "Hotel California" Lyrics in Civil Lawsuit

The Eagles were one of the most popular bands of the 1970s, and "Hotel California" remains one of their most enduring hits. The song has been covered by countless artists and has been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Henley's legal battle highlights the importance of protecting intellectual property and the challenges faced by artists in reclaiming stolen works. The outcome of the lawsuit will have implications for the music industry and for creative professionals seeking to safeguard their valuable creations.

Don Henley Battles for Ownership of "Hotel California" Lyrics in Civil Lawsuit