Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey dead at 67
Glenn Frey, founding member of the Eagles, guitarist and lead vocalist on tracks as "Take It Easy", "Tequila Sunrise", "Lyin' Eyes", "New Kid in Town", "Heartache Tonight" etc., died yesterday January 18 in New York City at the age of 67.
Frey had been battling intestinal issues for months and had surgery in November. In the last few days his condition took a turn for the worse.
A post on eagles.com reads:
"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of husband, best friend, father, comrade, and 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.
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.
Cindy Frey - Taylor Frey - Deacon Frey - Otis Frey
Don Henley - Joe Walsh - Timothy B. Schmit - Bernie Leadon - Irving Azoff"
Detroit-born Frey and Don Henley co-founded the Eagles in 1971 in Los Angeles after playing backup for rock singer Linda Ronstadt. During the band's career Frey co-wrote classic songs such as "Hotel California" and "Desperado" with Henley and took home 6 Grammys. After their breakup in 1980, he embarked on a successful solo career and went on to record Top 40 pop hits such as "The Heat Is On" and "You Belong to the City". He also head an small acting career with minor roles on TV and cinema.
In a statement Son Henley praised Frey as the "one who started it all" for the Eagles: "He was the spark plug, the man with the plan," he said. "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".