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AN EAGLE'S FLIGHT ENDS: GLENN FREY, 1948-2016

Music has just suffered yet another huge loss. Eagles co-leader Glenn Frey has died. He turned 67 on Nov. 6. The band has issued a statement on its website.

“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 rrthritis, rcute 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

The statement is followed by the lyrics to “It's Your World Now,” written by Glenn and Jack Tempchin, which appeared on Long Road Out of Eden. It ends with these lines:

It's your world now
Use well your time
Be part of something good
Leave something good behind
The curtain falls
I take my bow
That's how it's meant to be
It's your world now...

In a personal remembrance, Don Henley—the other half of one of the most accomplished and successful songwriting duos in rock history—wrote of his partner, "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. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry—and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But, Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.

"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. He loved is wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year History of the Eagles Tour to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone. I'm not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some."

The tributes continue to pour in.

Neil Portnow: “As a founding member of the Eagles, Glenn Frey was an integral part of one of the most storied bands in pop history. His songwriting, especially with bandmate Don Henley, resulted in some of the biggest hits and standards of the ’70s, including songs like ‘Desperado,’ ‘One of These Nights,’ ‘Lyin’ Eyes,’ and ‘Hotel California.’ The latter two earned the Eagles two of their six Grammy Awards. Desperado and the milestone album Hotel California, along with its title track, have been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall OF Fame. The band’s Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975 remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, a testament to the enduring music that Glenn played a significant role in creating. Glenn’s untimely passing is a huge loss for the music community, and we offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans.”

Jim Donio: “Music Biz is saddened to learn of the death of yet another music legend: Glenn Frey. Over the course of his career, including his time as a guitarist and songwriter for the Eagles, Frey released 24 Top 40 singles, won six Grammy Awards and gave the world enduring classics such as ‘Take It Easy,’ ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling,’ ‘Tequila Sunrise,’ and ‘Already Gone’ with the Eagles as well as ‘You Belong to the City,’ ‘The Heat Is On,’ ‘True Love,’ and ‘The One You Love’ as a solo act. Music Biz has been host to a wide array of artists in various stages of their careers, and we were honored to have him as a guest at the 1977 NARM Convention along with Linda Ronstadt. We are glad to have known him and send our condolences to his family, friends and bandmates. We encourage his fans as well as all those who haven’t discovered his work just yet to honor him by listening to and enjoying the music he created.”

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