S.O.D. "Heavy Metal (Takin A Ride)" by Don Felder

12/6/2015   Don Felder has the 6th track of this song on the soundtrack of the 1981 fantasy music film, "Heavy Metal".  The 1st track is of a different version by Sammy Hagar.  The movie grossed over $20 million.  

     Felder is best known for his time spent with the Eagles and his partnership with guitarist Joe Walsh, who together made up one of the most legendary lead guitar duos in history.  When Felder was 10 y/o, he supposedly traded some fireworks-cherry bombs for his first guitar.  Many musicians were influenced by musical acts on the Ed Sullivan Show, and when Felder saw Elvis Presley, he got the bug.  At age 15 he formed his first band which included Stephen Stills.

     Slide guitar is one of his specialties, being taught mainly by Duane Allman.  When he was asked to add slide guitar to the Eagles tune, "Good Day in Hell," they invited him to join the group the next day.

     Including Eagles' albums, he has 18 to his credit and wrote the music for their international hit, "Hotel California".  Originally an instrumental, Glenn Frey at first dubbed it "Mexican Reggae".