Don Felder joined the Eagles during the recording of On the Border. His arrival marked a major turning point for the band, as his harder-edged guitar playing helped push the Eagles beyond their early country-rock sound.
The album began in London with producer Glyn Johns, but the band became dissatisfied with the direction of the sessions and moved the production to Los Angeles, bringing in Bill Szymczyk. Szymczyk wanted a stronger rock guitar presence, so the group contacted Felder, who already knew Bernie Leadon from earlier musical connections.
Felder initially came to the studio as a guest musician rather than a fully established band member. He played on “Already Gone” and “Good Day in Hell,” including prominent lead and slide-guitar parts. After hearing his work, Glenn Frey invited him to join the group. On the Border, released in 1974, is therefore the first Eagles album to feature Felder, although he was added after recording had already begun.
Joe Walsh is a frequent mix-up: he joined later, during the Hotel California era.