Glenn Frey, The Eagles Vocalist, Songwriter and Guitarist Dead At Age 67

Glenn Frey

Today we received the shocking news that Glenn Frey, a founding member of The Eagles has died of numerous health issues. He was only 67.

The Eagles

Frey sang lead vocals on such songs as Take It Easy, Peaceful Easy Feeling, Tequila Sunrise, Already Gone, Desparado, New Kid In Town and Heartache Tonight.

The Heat is On

After the band broke up in 1980 he went on to record Smuggler’s Blues, The Heat is On, You Belong to the City and other popular songs.

It was during this era tha Frey went on to "clean up his act" and get in shape by building his body and vigorously working out. He toned up and was featured in a gym campaign commercial and Rolling Stone magazine did an a pictorial article about him

Miami Vice

Due to his solo music he went on to act in the police drama Miami Vice. That show that used Smuggler’s Blues as a theme song as well as several of his other songs.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction

Frey won six Grammy Awards and five American Music Awards. Collectively, the Eagles have sold over 120 million albums and were Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees.

Ronstadt and Back-up Band

Frey joined the Eagles in 1971 after being in Linda Ronstadts back up band with Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon.

The Eagles - 1971

Frey played guitar and piano during his tenure with  The Eagles.

The Eagles - 1994

After the band reunited in 1994 he became the spokesman for the group, since, in his own words, he and Henley had written most of their songs.

The Eagles - 2008

The group later went on another world tour in 2008.

After Hours

In 2012 he release his first solo album since 1994 and it was called After Hours. This album features him performing pop standards of the 1940’s through the 1960’s.

In 2013 a documentary was produced called History of the Eagles.

Old Black

During his early days with The Eagles Frey was very fond of a 1956 Les Paul Junior that he got from Jackson Browne. The guitar was painted black and and extra P90 pickup was added to the neck position. Frey named this guitar “Old Black.”

ES-330 - Getty Images

Frey also played a tobacco burst Gibson ES-330 TD which was probably a mid 1960’s model. This is the thin hollow-body model with twin P90 pickups.

He also used a Gibson ES-335 TD.

He played these guitars through an early narrow panel tweed Fender Deluxe amplifier which was made no later than 1960, since that was the last year this style was manufactured. Although on the road in the early days he also used a Ferder Deluxe Reverb that was miked.

Frey with Gibson SG

Frey also owned and played a vintage Gibson Firebird V, a Gibson SG and a 1953 Fender Telecaster. Occasionally he played a 1982 Gibson Moderne Heritage Korina Electric. Gibson only produced 143 of these guitar.

With Takamine EF360S

During the Eagles 1994 comeback tour Frey played a Takamine EF360S. He approached the Takamine company and requested they build him an updated version.

Takamine EF360GF

Out of this, Takamine Guitars produced the Glenn Frey Signature model EF360FG. This non-cutaway guitar came with a solid wood top and solid rosewood back and sides and Frey's initials "GF" in the headstock..

Takamine EF381C - 12 String

Frey also usd a black Takamine EF381C 12 string acoustic electric cut-away guitar.

Glenn Frey model Rickenbacker 230

In the studio, Frey used Martin 6 and 12 string guitars. He played several other electric guitars including an Epiphone Casino and a Rickenbacker 230.

Here is a link to a very interesting article on Glenn Frey from Rolling Stone Magazine.