A spokesperson for the Eagles has responded to claims that the band was somehow 'intimidated' by an unauthorized reworking of the group's timeless "Hotel California" by R&B singer Frank Ocean.
Ocean points out that the song, which he never sold, hasn't earned him any money, and in fact could be seen as his way of "paying homage" to the band. Eagles spokesperson Larry Solters doesn't agree.
"Frank Ocean did not merely "sample" a portion of the Eagles' Hotel California; he took the whole master track, plus the song's existing melody, and replaced the lyrics with his own. This is not creative, let alone "intimidating." It's illegal. For the record, Don Henley has not threatened or instituted any legal action against Frank Ocean, although the Eagles are now considering whether they should. Any further questions regarding this matter should be directed to Warner Music Group as it is the entity that currently owns the master recording and made the contact with Frank Ocean's representatives concerning his infringement of the master recording."
Ocean sampled "Hotel California" on his song "American Wedding" from his mixtape Nostalgia.
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