Rock legend abruptly rushed offstage after suffering medical emergency

The four-time Grammy winner took to centre stage and began strumming his guitar when he started swaying in front of the stunned crowd.

Former Eagles guitarist Don Felder suffered a medical emergency and was rushed off stage during a performance Thursday night.

Felder, who was a member of the iconic rock group from 1974 to 2001, was introducing the band’s song “Tequila Sunrise” during The Rock Legends Cruise when his demeanour changed, according to video posted to YouTube.

The four-time Grammy winner, 77, began strumming his guitar to perform the song before he started swaying at centre stage in front of the stunned crowd.

Felder looked offstage and mouthed something as a woman ran to his side.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer then grabbed the microphone stand to maintain his balance.

As other musicians helped escort Felder off stage, an audience member shouted his support for the guitarist as the rest of the crowd joined in.

“We love you Don,” one fan yelled.

Don Felder is held up on stage during a “medical emergency” on-board The Rock Legends Cruise. Picture: YouTube

Felder suffered from dehydration, his team announced on social media.

“We appreciate everyone’s concern regarding Don Felder’s abrupt stop to his show last night on The Rock Legends Cruise,” the statement said. “After receiving medical attention he was deemed to be suffering from dehydration. He was given fluids, and is feeling much better.

“To ensure he has ample time to rehydrate and recover fully, we are working on rescheduling today’s shows and adjusting the remainder of the cruise schedule accordingly.

“Remember — drink your water!

Don Felder had trouble walking as he was led offstage during the performance. Picture: YouTube

The guitarist’s performance was part of The Rock Legends Cruise, which departed from Miami on Thursday. The line-up includes performances by Alice Cooper, Styx and more.

Felder’s girlfriend Jaden Osborne reacted to the scary situation in a post Friday.

“What a crazy way to spend Valentine’s Day, but after having met 10 years ago, it’s even crazier being back on this exact same charter cruise,” she wrote on her Instagram story.

“Our relationship didn’t flourish for a handful of years but I what another wild Don and Jaden adventure it has been,” Osborne added. “I love you @donfeldermusic x10000 +1!”

Felder was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the band in 1998 and earned a spot in the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2016.

The Eagles band members (L-R): Glenn Frey, Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Don Felder and Randy Meisner. Picture: RB/Redferns.

During the latter ceremony, Felder was presented with the 2016 Iconic Riff Award for “for creating the incredible guitar intro and solo in “Hotel California, which has been referred to as one of the best guitar solos of all time,” according to MusicRow.

He was fired from the Eagles in 2001 where he filed two lawsuits claiming wrongful termination breach of implied-in-fact contract and breach of fiduciary duty. Since leaving the band, Felder released a book about his time with the Eagles, and went on tour with the Don Felder Band.

This story originally appeared in The NY Post and was reproduced with permission.

Originally published as Rock legend abruptly rushed offstage after suffering medical emergency