Three Men on Trial in New York for Allegedly Stealing and Selling Eagles Manuscripts
Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi, and Edward Kosinski accused of owning and trying to sell stolen manuscripts
Three men are facing an unusual criminal trial in New York for their alleged involvement in possessing and attempting to sell stolen manuscripts belonging to the Eagles, the iconic rock band. Glenn Horowitz, a rare-book dealer, along with Craig Inciardi, a former Rock & Roll Hall of Fame curator, and Edward Kosinski, a memorabilia seller, have been accused of conspiring to own and sell the band’s handwritten lyrics, including the famous song “Hotel California,” without proper ownership rights.
The accused have pleaded not guilty, and their lawyers maintain that the papers were acquired legitimately from a writer who had previously worked with the Eagles. However, the Manhattan district attorney’s office claims that the defendants purposely concealed the disputed ownership of the documents, despite knowing that the band’s member Don Henley had reported them as stolen.
(From left) Glenn Horowitz, Craig Inciardi and Edward Kosinski in court after being indicted in 2022. Photograph: John Minchillo/AP
While clashes over valuable collectibles and disputes over rare documents are not uncommon, criminal trials concerning such matters are infrequent. Disputes regarding ownership are typically resolved through private settlements, lawsuits, or agreements to return the items.
What sets this trial apart is the expected testimony from the band’s member, Don Henley, who is regarded as the star witness in this case. The non-jury trial could provide insights into the Eagles’ creative process during their heyday in the 1970s.
The disputed manuscripts consist of over 80 pages of draft lyrics from the Eagles’ critically acclaimed 1976 album “Hotel California,” including the titular track. The song is known for its iconic riff and the memorable line, “You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave.” Henley has described the song as a reflection of “the dark underbelly of the American dream.” The collection of pages also contains lyrics from other Eagles hits such as “Life in the Fast Lane” and “New Kid in Town.” Irving Azoff, the Eagles manager, has referred to the manuscripts as “irreplaceable pieces of musical history.”
Horowitz, Inciardi, and Kosinski are being charged with conspiracy to possess stolen property and other related offenses. It is important to note that none of the accused are charged with the actual act of stealing the documents. Regardless, the prosecution is tasked with establishing that the manuscripts were stolen. The defense intends to contest this claim.
The trial hinges on the Eagles’ interactions with Ed Sanders, a writer who was co-founder of the 1960s counterculture rock band, the Fugs. Sanders had worked on an authorized but unpublished biography of the Eagles during the late 1970s and early 80s. He subsequently sold the pages in question to Glenn Horowitz, who, in turn, sold them to Inciardi and Kosinski.
Throughout the legal proceedings, various versions of the manuscripts’ provenance have been presented, including stories of the pages being found in dressing rooms, received from stage assistants, or obtained directly from one of the Eagles’ band members. The accusers, Horowitz, Inciardi, and Kosinski, have adopted alternate accounts of the documents’ origins. However, it is yet to be determined which version, if any, is truthful.
As the trial commences, the prosecution will focus on the actions of Glenn Horowitz and the role played by Ed Sanders in acquiring and distributing the disputed manuscripts. The court will ultimately determine the fate of these rare relics of musical history.
