Eagles Co-Founder Glenn Frey Dead At 67
CNN is reporting that Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey has died at the age of 67 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, pneumonia, and acute ulcerative arthritis according to one of the band’s publicists. The group of men who eventually became the band known as the Eagles originally came together to perform as a backup for Linda Ronstadt in the early 70’s. Eagles band member Don Henley stated the following.
“We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. 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.”
USA Today reported rumors of the Eagles member’s health problems began circulating in November, when the band announced that they would not be able to participate in the Kennedy Center Honors. His recurring intestinal issues were mentioned in the official statement that was issued at that time and the ceremony was postponed.
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Henley co-wrote many of the Eagles’ most popular songs with Frey – songs like Hotel California and One of These Nights. Hotel California marked the height of their success, selling 16 million copies. Four of their albums went to number one – One of These Nights, Their Greatest Hits 1971 – 1975, Hotel California, and The Long Run. Frey credited the pressure that came on the heels of the success of Hotel California for the band’s breakup.
Despite infighting, the Eagles sold over 100 million records worldwide and have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Their Greatest Hits 1971 – 1975 was the first album to go platinum. Henley stated Monday that he was like a brother to him and that, like any family, they had their dysfunctions but loved each other dearly.
Frey also played guitar and sang for the Eagles. He got his start in the 60s in Michigan according to reports by Chicago Tribune. He played in the session for Bob Seger’s Ramblin Gamblin Man. Soon after he moved to California and to be with his girlfriend. It was here that he became part of Linda Ronstadt’s backup band that included the people who would become the founders of the Eagles. After the Ronstadt tour the Eagles signed a deal with Asylum Records and David Geffen, a huge figure in the California music scene at the time. Jackson Browne co-wrote Take It Easy with Frey while they were roommates. It would become the Eagles breakthrough single when it was released in 1972. Their second album, Desperado, established the Eagles as a country rock band. Frey and Henley lived with each other or blocks away from each other in the mid-70’s and wrote some of their best work during that time.
Glenn Frey’s passing leaves another tremendous void in the Rock world..https://t.co/bjU63DINBk#RIPGlenn #GlennFrey pic.twitter.com/aytQFxT4oZ
— The Doobie Brothers (@TheDoobieBros) January 19, 2016
The Eagles’ breakup was bitter. For years they all swore they would never perform together again. In 1992 Frey said the following.
“There is not going to be an Eagles reunion. Except for the incredible amount of money that would be there to be made, there’s nothing else about it that appeals to me. I looked into it, but it just wasn’t going to be any fun.”
In 1994, the Eagles did reunite. They performed together in their Hell Freezes Over tour. They made $140 million on that tour, in spite of it being postponed because of Frey’s intestinal illness.
[Photo courtesy of Rick Diamond/Getty Images]
