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Glenn Frey, Eagles Guitarist And Founding Member, Dies At 67
Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey during his 'After Hours' tour in 2012. Frey died on January 18, 2016. (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Glenn Frey, guitarist and one of the founding members of the Eagles, has died. He was 67."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," the band's official website announced on Monday. "Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia." According to TMZ, his condition "took a turn for the worse" in the days leading up to his death.
The Eagles were set to receive a Kennedy Center Honor on December 6, but had to postpone it until 2016 due to Frey's health. According to a statement released by the band at the time, Frey had a recurrence of "previous intestinal issues, which will require major surgery and a lengthy recovery period."
Frey was born on November 6, 1948 in Detroit and moved to Los Angeles in the late 60s. In 1971, he formed the country-rock band Eagles with Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner. With drummer Don Henley, Frey wrote many of the Eagles' biggest hits, including "Hotel California," "Desperado," and "Take It To The Limit." Frey even sang lead vocals on many songs, including "Take It Easy," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," and "Heartache Tonight." The band's albums Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) and Hotel California are two of the biggest-selling albums of all time.
In a statement, Henley said that Frey "was the one who started it all" and 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."
After the Eagles' broke up in 1980, Frey achieved success as a solo artist with soundtrack hits "The Heat Is On" (Beverly Hills Cop) and "You Belong To The City" (from the show Miami Vice), and even landed a few small roles in film and television.
Frey got back together with the Eagles when they reunited in 1994 and toured with the band up through 2015. The band would be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. Frey's last solo album, titled After Hours, was released in 2012.
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