Eagles founder, guitarist Glenn Frey dies at 67 due to complications from illness
Jan 18, 2016, 3:26 PM | Updated: 3:39 pm
FILE - In this Jan. 19, 2013 file photo, members of the Eagles, from left, Timothy B. Schmit, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Joe Walsh of The Eagles pose with an autographed guitar after a news conference at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival, in Park City, Utah. This year's Kennedy Center Honors will go on without the Eagles, the rock band that will be honored next year because member Glenn Frey's health won't allow him to attend next month's ceremony. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
(Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)
PHOENIX — Glenn Frey, the founder and guitarist in the legendary rock band Eagles, has passed away Monday at age 67, according to the band’s website.
Frey passed away from complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia, an illness he had been fighting over the past couple of weeks.
In a statement, the Frey family thanked fans for their love and support and said the guitarist had reached millions of fans worldwide with his music.
“The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery,” the statement read. “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.”
Guitarist Frey and drummer Henley formed the Eagles in Los Angeles the early 1970s, along with guitarist Bernie Leadon and bassist Randy Meisner. They would become a top act over the next decade, embodying the melodic California sound.
An Eagles greatest hits collection from the mid-1970s and “Hotel California” are among the best-selling albums in history.
Frey’s solo hits include “The Heat Is On” and “Smuggler’s Blues.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
