In a courtroom in New York, Eagles co-founder Don Henley testified about the ownership of handwritten drafts of lyrics to several Eagles songs, including the iconic "Hotel California." Henley claimed that the lyrics were his property and that he never gifted or gave them to anyone to sell. The trial involves rare-book dealer Glenn Horowitz and rock memorabilia connoisseurs Craig Inciardi and Edward Kosinski, who are accused of scheming to sell the lyrics sheets despite Henley's claims of ownership.

The defense argued that the defendants rightfully owned the documents, which they acquired through a writer who worked on a never-published Eagles biography. Henley testified about his interactions with the writer, Ed Sanders, and how he believed the lyrics drafts were stolen from his property in California. The trial also brought up questions about Henley's past cocaine use and personal troubles, including a 1980 arrest for contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Henley's testimony shed light on the songwriting process behind hits like “Hotel California” and "Life in the Fast Lane." He recalled working with co-founder Glenn Frey and guitarist Don Felder to craft the lyrics and music for the Eagles' best-selling album. Despite the legal battle over the handwritten pages, Henley expressed regret about the past and acknowledged the band's fast-paced lifestyle in the 1970s.

The trial is ongoing, with more witnesses expected to testify. Meanwhile, Henley is preparing to return to the road for the Eagles' next show in Florida. The case raises questions about intellectual property rights, the music industry, and the challenges of preserving artistic work over time.