The Eagles guitarist and founding member Glenn Frey has died. He was 67 years old. In a post on Frey's website, his family, bandmates, and management wrote:
"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."
Frey, drummer Don Henley, guitarist Bernie Leadon, and bassist Randy Meisner first got together as members of Linda Rondstadt's backing band, and formed the Eagles in 1971. (Joe Walsh would replace Leadon in 1975, and Timothy Schmit would replace Meisner in 1977.) Over the course of the '70s, they became country-rock icons thanks to hits like "Hotel California," "Take It Easy," "Desperado," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "Take It to the Limit," "One of Those Nights," and "Lyin' Eyes." The Eagles' Greatest Hits 1971-1975 was the biggest-selling album of the 20th century in the United States.
The Eagles disbanded in 1980. Frey embarked on a solo career, having success with "The Heat Is On" from Beverly Hills Cop and "You Belong to the City" from "Miami Vice." In 1994, the Eagles reunited, and continued to tour and record until last year.
