Glenn Frey (1948-2016)
Glenn Frey, the heart and soul of The Eagles, passed away yesterday from complications rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia. He was 67.
From the beginning, Glenn Frey knew that when he, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, and Randy Meisner were hired to backup an up and coming singer-songwriter named Linda Ronstadt, that this was a special band. So much so that with Ronstadt’s blessing, Frey and Henley basically took Leadon and Meisner from her band to form The Eagles.
He was also knew that good musicianship wouldn’t be enough. Taking the advice of good friend and fellow Detroit native Bob Seger, having great songs, not just good ones, became the prime directive. By sheer coincidence, Frey would find his best collaborators in the neighborhood: Jackson Browne (with whom he wrote The Eagles first hit, ‘Take It Easy’); roommate J.D. Souther (Best Of My Love, Victim Of Love, Heartache Tonight, New Kid In Town); and, of course, Don Henley, with whom he wrote most of the songs we know by heart.
Though he would sing lead on some of the band’s earliest hits (‘Tequilla Sunrise, ‘Already Gone’, ‘Lyin’ Eyes’,) Frey quickly realized that the long term success of the Eagles would happen with Don Henley as the primary vocalist. He was right: With Henley as its vocal anchor, The Eagles would soar to heights that have yet to be topped by any American rock group. What’s even more amazing is that it was done while the group underwent a total makeover in sound (country-rock to arena rock/pop) and personnel (Leadon and Meisner leaving to pursue solo projects and Don Felder, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmidt joining to complete its sonic transformation).
Of course, success came with a price. Strong personalities made for strong egos and like most bands of that era, they did their fare share of partying. Writers block and the pursuit of perfection while during the making of The Long Run took its toll on their personal and professional relationships. By 1980, Frey – who helped form The Eagles – was the one who initiated the break up.
Frey would continue to have success as a solo artist and also make a successful transition into acting. But The Eagles legacy refused to go away. They were mainstays on classic rock radio, and their ‘Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975’ collection became one of the greatest selling albums of all time. Then there was a resurgence in country-rock (and country music in general) with a lot of the artists involved citing The Eagles as a major influence. Before long, Frey and Henley would put differences aside and The Eagles would once again soar to incredible heights both on stage and in the studio.
People like to dump on The Eagles. They’ve been called everything from ‘arrogant’, ‘pretentious’, ‘soulless’, ‘sell outs’, you name it.
But what The Eagles were and are is a great band. Every member plays a crucial role. All of them had great solo careers. Each member could sing well to anchor the band or any other group. All of them are extraordinary musicians that can play a variety of instruments. The Eagles excelled at country, rock, pop and even soul (‘Take It To The Limit? ‘Wasted Time’? ‘I Can’t Tell You Why’? Come on now…). Their song output speaks for itself. You can put on an Eagles song at a party, a country bar, a hipster joint, restaurant, diner, ANYWHERE, and it always fits.
The Eagles business acumen was, and is, second to none. With the exception of Led Zeppelin, every one of their contemporaries had major money issues. It was a never problem for them. During their 14 year break up, you never read a story about one of the Eagles crying broke. With Frey and Henley at the wheel, The Eagles were hellbent on not getting screwed over.
Every band needs a leader, someone who plots the course, sets the direction and keeps the group focused on its ultimate goal. Glenn Frey was that for The Eagles. If the group chooses to continue, his absence will be felt. If The Eagles fly no more, their impact on the world of music will be more than secure with nothing to prove to anyone.
Deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to The Frey family, friends and fans.
Take it easy Glenn…
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