Glenn Frey: 1948-2016

Styx joins the world in mourning the passing of the Eagles cofounding guitarist/vocalist.

by Mike Mettler

There’s a hole in the world tonight: Eagles cofounding guitarist/vocalist Glenn Frey passed away on January 18 after complications following intestinal surgery. He was 67.

After a stint backing up Linda Ronstadt on her summer 1971 tour, Frey and his partner in songwriting, drummer Don Henley, along with bassist Randy Meisner and guitarist Bernie Leadon, founded the Eagles, a band that blended rock and country styles into a sound that literally defined the ’70s. Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975) (1976; 29 million) and Hotel California (1976; 16 million) are two of the best-selling albums of all time.

Glenn’s knack for melody and harmony defined some of the Eagles’ best known and best loved songs — “Take It Easy,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “New Kid in Town,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “Get Over It,” plus solo hits like “Smuggler’s Blues,” “The Heat Is On,” and “You Belong to the City.” Collectively, the Eagles perfected a unique vocal blend that’s best represented on “Seven Bridges Road,” a master class in dynamic range and drama mostly achieved with the human voice (and just a little acoustic guitar).

Styx guitarist/vocalist Tommy Shaw said, “Glenn Frey and his partner Don Henley created a new genre of music that has become a national treasure, and he will be sorely missed. I would venture to say there’s hardly a person on this planet who doesn’t know more than one Eagles song and has loved them as much as the rest of us do.

“I was shocked and saddened to hear about Glenn Frey’s untimely death. It’s a shame. There was surely still a lot of good music yet to be written. Thank you, Glenn Frey. Rest in peace now, and get busy with that great rock ’n’ roll band in heaven.”