Guitarist, who wrote famous songs ‘Hotel California’ and ‘Take It Easy’, has died at 67
NEW YORK – Glenn Frey, one of the founder members of the Eagles, has died aged 67, following a long battle with stomach problems.
An announcement on the band’s website said the cause was complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.
Guitarist Frey and drummer Henley former of the Eagles in Los Angeles in 1970s along with guitarist Bernie Leadon and bassist Randy Meisner. Their popularity grew steadily. Critics often dismissed them as slick and unadventurous, but their blend of mellow ballads and macho rockers and of pop and folk and country, gave them unusually broad appeal.
The Eagles split in 1980, after which Frey had several solo hits, including The Heat Is On, which appeared on the soundtrack of Beverly Hills Cop, and You Belong to the City, taken from the television series Miami Vice. He also forged a career as an actor, including a guest appearance on Miami Vice.
The Eagles got back together in 1994—an unlikely reunion dubbed the Hell Freezes over Tour. Though the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees released new material on the 2008 album “Long Road out of Eden,” the group’s final outing was a retrospective. A two-part documentary film, “History of the Eagles,” supplemented a roughly two-year concert tour by the same name, which found Frey and his band mates performing in an intimate stage set up and telling stories about their musical past.
An Eagles greatest hits collection and Hotel California, released in the 1970s, have sold more than 20 million copies each and are among the best-selling albums of modern times. The band’s total album sales top 100 million copies.
Frey known for his over sized jaw, big grin and wavy dark hair, loved music, girls and the rock ‘n’ roll life. He was playing in bands as a teenager, with fellow Detroit musician Bob Seger among his early friends, and would meet up with Henley, Meisner and Leadon while all were trying to catch on in the Los Angeles music scene.
Despite the occasional discord, Don 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.”
He added, “We built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But Glenn was the one who started it all. 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.”
Frey’s most memorable Eagles songs
Take It Easy
“Take It Easy” was the Eagles’ first single in 1972 and became one of the band’s signature songs. It was mostly written by Jackson Browne, but Frey added a line and sings lead vocals.
Tequila Sunrise
Co-written with Henley and sang by Frey, this heartbreaking song was the first single off the band’s 1973 album, “Desperado.”
One of These Nights
Another hit written with Henley, Frey said in 2003 that “One of These Nights” was his favorite Eagles tune, calling it “a breakthrough song.” It was the title track of the band’s 1975 album and its second single.
New Kid in Town
The first single off of 1976’s “Hotel California,” “New Kid in Town” features Frey’s lead vocals and Henley’s harmonies. They co-wrote the song with frequent collaborator J.D. Souther.
Heartache Tonight
A late ’70s-early ’80s anthem, “Heartache Tonight” appeared on the 1979 album “The Long Run” and won a Grammy Award for best rock vocal performance by a duo or group. Frey, Henley and Souther wrote the track with Bob Seger. Frey sang lead vocals.
Hotel California
Frey wrote the lyrics to what is probably the best known Eagles song. “Hotel California” won the 1977 Grammy Award winner for record of the year.