Surprising Turn as ‘Hotel California’ Lyrics Case Takes Unexpected Twist

In a courtroom drama centered around disputed ownership of hand-drafted lyrics to Eagles hits, including “Hotel California,” New York prosecutors abruptly dropped charges midtrial against three collectibles experts accused of scheming to retain and sell the pages. Eagles co-founder Don Henley claimed the lyrics were stolen, private artifacts of the band’s creative process.

The unexpected turn came when prosecutors revealed that defense lawyers were blindsided by the late disclosure of 6,000 pages of communications involving Henley and his legal team. These materials were provided to both sides only recently after Henley waived attorney-client privilege, allowing the release of confidential legal discussions.

The dropped charges included conspiracy to criminally possess stolen property against rare books dealer Glenn Horowitz, former Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Craig Inciardi, and rock memorabilia seller Edward Kosinski. The case revolved around 100 pages of legal-pad sheets from the creation of the Eagles’ 1976 album “Hotel California.”

Prosecutors alleged that the defendants were aware of the dubious chain of possession but sought to keep and sell the pages, creating a fabricated provenance. The dismissal followed the revelation that defense lawyers had not received crucial information to explore during the trial.

Despite the case’s end, Henley’s attorney, Dan Petrocelli, indicated that the musician plans to pursue the matter in civil courts. Meanwhile, the defendants expressed relief, with Inciardi stating the next step is rebuilding their reputations.

The case provided insights into the Eagles’ career and the music industry, with Henley testifying about the band’s creative process and personal experiences. The unexpected conclusion leaves lingering questions about the ownership of these historic artifacts and the twists and turns of the trial.