March 29, 2024
Glenn Frey, guitarist for the Eagles, dies at 67
Glenn Frey, a founding member and guitar player with the Eagles, one of the best-selling rock groups of the 1970s, died on Monday in New York City. He was 67.

The cause was complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia, according to a statement on the band’s official website.

Along with friend and occasional nemesis Don Henley, Mr. Frey co-founded the Eagles in Los Angeles in 1971. The group went on to become one of the most prominent bands of the decade with its string of laid-back rock hits, all the while fighting, drinking and drugging.

The guitarist co-wrote and provided vocals on some of the group’s most popular singles, including “Take It Easy,” “Tequila Sunrise” and “Heartache Tonight.”

The original lineup, which also included multi-instrumentalist Bernie Leadon and bassist Randy Meisner, expanded with guitarists Joe Walsh and Don Felder, leading to 1976’s “Hotel California.”

The Eagles won six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. They sold more than 120 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, the first year they were nominated.

Solo career

Mr. Frey launched a successful solo career after the Eagles broke up acrimoniously in 1980, releasing his debut album, “No Fun Allowed,” two years later and scoring several hits such as “The Heat Is On,” from the “Beverly Hills Cop” soundtrack, and “You Belong to the City.” He had a recurring role on the television series “Miami Vice” and also appeared in the Cameron Crowe film “Jerry Maguire.”

After years of overindulgence, he became a poster-boy for sobriety, even appearing in advertisements for a health club. Mr. Frey blamed many of his health problems on his heavy alcohol and drug use during the band’s imperial phase.

He missed a 1986 reunion with Henley because of an intestinal disorder and had surgery to remove part of his intestine in 1990.

The group first re-formed in 1994 for the “Hell Freezes Over” tour and live album, which sold an astonishing 15 million copies. The group continued playing together on-and-off until last year, even releasing “The Long Road Out of Eden,” a new studio album in 2007.

The Eagles’ music has endured better than most of the band’s ’70s pop-rock contemporaries.

“More than likely, as long as you’ll be paying, we’ll be playing,” Mr. Frey, who also played piano and keyboards with the Eagles, joked during the band’s appearance at the Concord Pavilion in 2003.

Mr. Frey’s last solo album, “After Hours,” a collection of cover pop standards, was released in 2012.

Glenn Lewis Frey was born Nov. 6, 1948 in Detroit, Mich. He grew up in the suburb of Royal Oak, studying the keyboards with concert pianist John Harrison. After graduating from high school in 1966, Mr. Frey played with a string of local bands, including the Subterraneans, and the folk-rock act the Four of Us and Heavy Metal Kids.

Mr. Frey’s ongoing health problems caused the Eagles to postpone its Kennedy Center Honors appearance in December, where it was scheduled to be celebrated with singer-songwriter Carole King, filmmaker George Lucas, actress Rita Moreno, conductor Seiji Ozawa and actress Cicely Tyson.

Mr. Frey is survived by his wife, Cindy Millican Frey and their three children. (Source: The San Francisco Chronicle)
Story Date: January 19, 2016
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