Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Don Henley raises $33k at auction for food bank with classic Eagles lyrics

Henley wrote down the lyrics as a ‘one-of-a-kind keepsake’ for the charity auction

Clémence Michallon
New York City
Thursday 14 May 2020 17:12 BST
Comments
Don Henley of the Eagles performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on 27 September 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Don Henley of the Eagles performs at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on 27 September 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The EaglesDon Henley helped raise more than $33,000 for a Texas food bank thanks to handwritten song lyrics.

Henley, who lives in Dallas, Texas, offered to get involved in a sale benefiting the North Texas Food Bank, according to Heritage Auctions, the auction house behind the event.

According to the company, Henley got in touch by email “a few hours” after the auction, which consists mainly of sports memorabilia, was posted.

“The man who wrote [the email] said he wanted to help the North Texas Food Bank, and offered to add two items to the bidding benefiting those among us who, in the midst of this moment, do not know from where their next meals are coming,” the auction house wrote.

Among those items are the handwritten lyrics to the Eagles’ 1973 classic hit “Desperado”.

Henley, the band’s drummer and vocalist, wrote down the lyrics with the auction in mind, in order to craft an additional lot.

“These, of course, are not the original lyrics – but the words Don wrote at April’s end specifically for this auction, this moment,” Heritage Auctions wrote in the online listing for the item.

“He created a special, one-of-a-kind keepsake for one lucky fan – handwritten lyrics to a song that continues to resonate with fans and seems quite appropriate in these strange times in which we find ourselves in.”

The lyrics eventually sold for $33,600.

Henley also donated a guitar signed by Eagles members Joe Walsh, Timothy B Schmit, Deacon Frey, Vince Gill and Don Henley, which sold for $12,600.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in