In Mexico, there is a town called Todos Santos and in that town, is a very famous hotel called the Hotel California. The problem is, that the Eagles have come forward and started proceedings against the owners of the hotel on the grounds that this claim is completely false and is ‘feeding off the essence of the band.’
One of the biggest gripes that the band had was when the owners of the hotel tried to trade mark the name Hotel California in the US, and have been heavily reliant on the success of the legendary hit to draw customers through their doors. This was extended by claims that the hotel was the original meaning behind the song and clearly implies that there is a connection between the hotel and The Eagles.
The hotel did originally have the name Hotel California back in the 50s, although has changed name many times since, and only reinstated the original name in 2001. It is understood that the hotel frequently blasts out The Eagles hits around the complex, as well as selling T-Shirts to ‘willing punters’, potential part of a ruse to convince their clientele that there is a strong bond between the Mexican ‘Hotel California’ and the band.
It will be interesting to follow this litigation to see the details of the proceedings and whether The Eagles will succeed in the battle to preserve the integrity of their song that is, according to them, ultimately ‘essence of the band’.
