In Memoriam Of Glenn Frey: A Fan Tribute

Shock.  Disbelief.  Sadness.  Denial.  All emotions felt when I heard the news that Eagles founder Glenn Frey had passed away at the age of 67 on Monday, January 18, 2016.  As a lifetime Eagles fan, this loss of a legend has been a hard fact to swallow.  Frey had recently finished up a tour with the band in July.  How can this happen to someone so young?

Courtesy guitarinstructor.com

Crushing sadness aside, the Eagles have been a huge influence on my musical tastes.  Their music, along with dozens of other bands in the same vein, have been riding shotgun with me as long as I can remember.  Frey's warm, smooth tenor was always right for every song, belting out country rockers and lovely ballads, he was always able to make fans feel something.  Not just a fine singer, Frey also was an incredible songwriter.  Written with band mate Don Henley, "Desperado" is the most epic, sweeping ballad of our time.  Frey also helped pen the biggest hit of the Eagles' career "Hotel California," among many other favorites, including "Lyin' Eyes," "Take It Easy," and " Tequila Sunrise."

Along with the success of the Eagles, after the split in 1980, Frey continued on with a remarkable solo career.  Tunes such as "The Heat Is On" and "You Belong To The City" were big hits in the 80's.  Frey also starred in a few films and TV shows, most notably "Miami Vice" and in his own show "South Of Sunset."  The Eagles reunited in 1994, embarking on a tour, then again dropping out of the spotlight until the release of a double album "Long Road Out Of Eden" in 2007.  Frey released his last solo album in 2012.

Courtesy glennfreyafterhours.com

It was the songs Frey created and sang with the Eagles that left the biggest impression .  The country rock sound they forged has left an indelible mark on myself, along with millions of other fans around the world.  Without a doubt, there was more music left to be made.  Glenn Frey was an icon for the ages and will be greatly missed.  A legend of a generation, gone too soon.