Don Felder was among the estimated 400,000 folks who attended Woodstock in Bethel, New York in 1969.
Twenty-one at the time, the show made such an impact that it inspired his new album, particularly the title track, "American Rock 'n' Roll." That song features a guitar solo from Slash. Also lending a hand on the album are Sammy Hagar, Bob Weir, Joe Satriani, Mick Fleetwood, Peter Frampton, Richie Sambora, David Paich and Steve Porcaro from Toto, Chad Smith and Rush guitarist Alex Lifeson.
Don Felder on the title track to his new album,American Rock 'n' Roll:
"That song 'American Rock 'n' Roll' is sort of a historical rockumentary -- musically -- going back to the 1969Woodstockera and how those people atWoodstockreally influenced all of these artists [on the album].SlashlovedJimi Hendrix.Bob Weiractually played inThe Grateful DeadatWoodstock. Hagar -- all these people that were on this record were directly influenced by the artists that were featured atWoodstock. So, when they heard it was calledAmerican Rock 'n' Roll[they] wanted to be included in it. Except forAlex Lifeson. It should have beenCanadian Rock 'n' Rollfor him."
Slash not only plays the solo in "American Rock 'n' Roll," but he is also name-checked in the song along with Guns N' Roses, Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, CSNY, Santana,The Grateful Dead, Bruce Springsteen,Tommy Lee, Gregg and Duane Allman,The Doobe Brothers,Bob Seger,Van Halen,Steven Tyler and Joe Perry,Chris Cornell,Eddie Vedder and Billy Joel.
Felder is in Europe doing press for the album and will be back on the road in the U.S. starting April 20th in Concord, California.