'Hotel California' Celebrates Milestone Amid Trial

The Eagles' "Hotel California" has been celebrated on its 47th anniversary, as a court battle over the song's handwritten notes and lyrics gets underway in New York.

The album Hotel California was released in December 1976, with its single of the same name getting its own unveiling on February 22, 1977. The chart-topping track has become one of the Eagles' best-known songs, and has been covered by a variety of artists.

However, the seminal hit has also been the subject of contention, as three men have been charged for allegedly conspiring to sell almost 100 stolen pages of Eagles member Don Henley's handwritten lyrics and notes for the album from which the single was taken.

Per the indictment, defendants Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi and Edward Kosinki had possession of notes that included the lyrics to "Hotel California," "Life in the Fast Lane," and "New Kid In Town." All three have pleaded not guilty.

The trio have been accused of attempting to sell the material, despite allegedly knowing that it was stolen. Per the Manhattan district attorney's office, the defendants allegedly lied to investigators, auction houses and potential purchasers about the origins of the manuscripts.

According to the indictment, the manuscripts were initially stolen in the late 1970s by an author who had been brought on board to write an Eagles biography. Court documents allege that the writer sold the notes and lyrics to book dealer Horowitz in 2005. In turn, it is alleged, Horowitz sold the manuscripts to Inciardi and Kosinski.

On learning of the attempts to sell part of the manuscripts, the indictment states Henley demanded the return of the papers after informing the defendants that the material was stolen. Henley also alerted police, according to court documents, which state that his recovery of the manuscripts was prevented for several years.

Amid the legal battle, U.K.-based radio personality Sunta Templeton on Thursday took to X, formerly Twitter, to mark the anniversary of "Hotel California."

"Happy Birthday to #hotelcalifornia the epic title track from Eagles 5th album came out OTD [on this day] in 1977," Templeton wrote, before informing social media users that it was among the tracks lined up to be played on her show.

Horowitz and Inciardi have been accused of fabricating the record of ownership of the stolen property, and allegedly tried to use the falsified records as a way to lure Henley into buying back the manuscripts.

Per the indictment, Inciardi allegedly lied to auction house Christie's and did not share Henley's claims when attempting to sell the documents to it.

The manuscripts, including 84 pages for songs from Hotel California, were recovered from auction house Sotheby's and Kosinski's New Jersey residence, according to court documents.

Horowitz then allegedly attempted to use the 2015 death of Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey as a means to avoid prosecution.

"[Frey] alas, is dead and identifying him as the source would make this go away once and for all," Horowitz is quote as stating in an email.

Frey founded the Eagles in 1971 along with Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. They began as Linda Ronstadt's touring band before releasing their eponymous debut album in 1972, which featured the hit single "Take It Easy." Over the next five decades, the band went on to sell over 150 million albums worldwide.

"He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction," Henley wrote of Frey in a statement. "But the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even in the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved.

"We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry—and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed."