The legal battle surrounding Don Henley’s stolen lyrics case has taken a dramatic turn. Rare-book dealer Glenn Horowitz, who was previously charged in the now-dismissed case involving Henley’s handwritten lyrics, is now suing the Eagles frontman and his longtime manager, Irving Azoff, for millions in damages. The case, which was originally sparked by a collection of lyric sheets from the iconic Hotel California era, has not only taken a toll on Horowitz but also led to a web of legal and personal drama.
Henley had initially claimed that he was the victim of extortion after trying to buy back a set of about 100 pages of handwritten lyrics. However, when those same lyrics were offered for auction, Henley went to the authorities, sparking a series of events that led to Horowitz, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator Craig Inciardi, and memorabilia auctioneer Edward Kosinski being charged with conspiring to possess stolen property.
But in an unexpected twist, the case was abruptly dismissed after new evidence came to light. Emails exchanged between Henley, Azoff, and their attorneys revealed that they were aware the lyric sheets had been legally obtained by journalist Ed Sanders, who had been hired to write a never-published Eagles biography. Instead of disclosing this critical information, Henley and his team allegedly chose to withhold it, knowing it would exonerate Horowitz and undermine their accusations.
Horowitz’s legal team, led by attorney Caitlin Robin, argues that Henley and Azoff’s actions caused significant harm. “Glenn is looking forward to his day in court,” Robin stated. “It’s time to hold those responsible who were involved in his malicious prosecution.” The lawsuit claims Horowitz suffered “humiliation, defamation, media harassment, and financial loss” amounting to more than $10 million. His wife is also listed as a co-plaintiff, citing emotional distress and damage to her own reputation.
In response, Henley’s attorney, Dan Petrocelli, maintains that Henley was the true victim, insisting that the memorabilia business was rife with exploitation. “The only malicious prosecution involved here is the filing of this case by Mr. Horowitz,” Petrocelli said.
Meanwhile, Henley has filed his own civil suit to regain possession of the original lyric sheets, which remain in the custody of the Manhattan district attorney’s office. The saga surrounding these prized pieces of rock history continues to unfold, and it’s clear this legal battle is far from over.
