The New Year has taken another rock and roll legend, as founding Eagles singer/guitarist and Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame member Glenn Frey has died at the age of 67. TMZ reported the news early Monday evening.
According to the report, Frey was battling intestinal issues for the past several months, and had surgery in November. The guitarist co-wrote and sang on some of the Eagles biggest hits, including “Hotel California”, “Take It Easy,” and “Tequila Sunrise”. After the Eagles broke up in 1980, Frey had a notable solo career, with “The Heat Is On”, off the soundtrack for Beverly Hills Cop, and “You Belong To The City”, from the Miami Vice soundtrack, two of his biggest hits.
TMZ reports that Frey’s recent medical condition “relapsed before the holidays, forcing the Eagles to pull out of their Kennedy Center Honors appearance in December. At the time, the band said he needed major surgery that would require a lengthy recovery.”
Frey’s official Facebook page just posted this official confirmation:
“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. 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.”
The note was signed by Cindy Frey, Taylor Frey, Deacon Frey, Otis Frey, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, Bernie Leadon, and Irving Azoff. It included the lyrics to “It’s Your World Now”, written by Frey and Jack Tempchin for the Eagles’ Long Road Out of Eden album. Frey’s last solo record was 2012’s After Hours.
Join us in pouring one out, and let that beautiful sax in “You Belong To The City” ring out loudly in the winter night…