Glenn Frey has passed away - the victim of pneumonia, acute colitis, and rheumatoid arthritis.  The Eagles guitarist was 67.  His intestinal issues were what caused his premature death.  Frey had been contemplating another major surgery to correct the situation as recently as the end of last year;  According to the Eagles official website he had a preliminary surgical procedure in November.

Frey was one of two original members who stayed with the group over the years;  Don Henley was also there from the start.

The Eagles were at the forefront of the so-called California Rock sound in the 1970's.  Along with contemporaries Linda Ronstadt and James Taylor, the Eagles foraged the genre that was the counterpoint to the disco era. The group dominated the charts and sold more records than most rock groups from that decade.   Many volatile elements to their group dynamic forced their split in 1980 - with Don Henley famously stating that they would play together again "when hell freezes over".  It did - symbolically - in 1994 when the Eagles reunited for a popular tour.  The success of that reunion tour led to successive projects right up until the last year.

Frey enjoyed a successful solo career in the years since 1980.  Initially, Frey hit big with the AC-sounding "The One That You Love".  Later albums in the mid '80's sounded more like the music he made with the Eagles - and his string of hits continued.  Musical appearances on popular TV show Miami Vice solidified his connection with 1980's-era culture.

 

 

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