The world has lost yet another great talent of music 🙁
According to CNN, a publicist for the Eagles confirmed that the band’s guitarist and founder Glenn Frey has died after a “courageous battle” with illnesses. He was 67.
Frey had been suffering from “a recurrence of previous intestinal issues”, which caused the band to postpone their Kennedy Center Honours ceremony from December to the following year.
In a post on the band’s official website, the Eagles wrote:
It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016.
Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.
“The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery,” the band added. “Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.”
Eagles manager Irving Azoff told TheWrap that this death can be blamed in part on the medications he was taking.”The colitis and pneumonia were side effects from all the (medications),” he said. “He died from complications of ulcer and colitis after being treated with drugs for his rheumatoid arthritis which he had for over 15 years.”
Following the news of the guitarist’s passing, Henley wrote a heartfelt tribute to his friend.
In the statement, Henley said:
He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved.
“We were 2 young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry — and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed,” he continued.
He added:
But, Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven. He loved his wife and kids more than anything.
“We are all in a state of shock, disbelief, and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year History of the Eagles Tour to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone. I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some,” he concluded.
News of his death also spurred an outpouring of grief from musicians of all stripes, as well as the people who admired him and his work.
In honor of the late Glenn Frey, one of my favorite Eagles songs. RIP my friend! https://t.co/BHajqBkPdL
— Travis Tritt (@Travistritt) January 18, 2016
"It may be rainin', but there's a rainbow above you."
We love you, #Glenn Frey.— Rita Wilson (@RitaWilson) January 18, 2016
Glenn Frey. I’m shocked. A brilliant songwriter and a really good guy. Talented, funny, cynical and sweet. – Huey pic.twitter.com/fgFVlZOEnX
— Huey Lewis (@Huey_Lewis_News) January 18, 2016
Glenn Frey, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for all you gave us.
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) January 18, 2016
R.I. P. Glenn Frey.
Deepest condolences to his family and #Eagles.— Carole King (@Carole_King) January 18, 2016
The Detroit-born Frey and the other original members of the Eagles including Don Henley, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon came together to form singer Linda Ronstadt’s backup band during a 1971 tour. The Eagles were born when the trek concluded.
With 5 number-one singles, 6 Grammy Awards, 5 American Music Awards, and 6 number one albums, the Eagles were one of the most successful musical acts of the 1970s. Both Frey and Henley also co-wrote many of the band’s biggest hits, including “Best of My Love”, “Lyin’ Eyes”, “One of These Nights”, and “Hotel California”.
However, a fallout between Frey and guitarist Don Felder resulted in the band disbanding in 1980.
As a solo artiste, Frey enjoyed a string of hits that included the “Beverly Hills Cop” track “The Heat Is On” and “You Belong to the City”, a song penned for “Miami Vice”.
He also released 5 solo albums and dabbled in acting, appearing in “Miami Vice” and later “Jerry Maguire”. He reunited with the Eagles in 1994 for their successful “Hell Freezes Over” tour, which spawned an MTV special and a live album. They would continue to tour together over the years.
In 1998, Frey and the band were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with the 7 core members performing “Hotel California” and “Take It Easy” together.
May your soul rest in peace, Glenn Frey. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
Sources: CNN, Rolling Stone, TheWrap.
