Glenn Frey, Eagles Founder Dead at 67

'The Winter of Death' is what some are calling it. Our entertainment heroes dying unexpectedly in what most would consider the prime of life. Yesterday it was announced that Eagles founder Glenn Frey had died at 67 of complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia. After hearing of his death, it was hard for me to get out of bed this morning.

A message on THE EAGLES website confirms that founding member/guitarist Glenn Frey has died at the age of 67. Frey had surgery in November and has been suffering from intestinal issues for months. He relapsed before the holidays, forcing THE EAGLES to pull out of their KENNEDY CENTER HONORS appearance in December.

'GLENN fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia," the message stated. "The FREY family would like to thank everyone who joined GLENN to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery. 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.'

Fellow EAGLE DON HENLEY issued the following statement:

'He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that THE EAGLES were dissolved. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to LOS ANGELES with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry — and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, IRVING AZOFF, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But GLENN was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.  He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven. He loved is wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year “History of THE EAGLES Tour” to a triumphant close at the end of JULY and now he is gone.  I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with GLENN LEWIS FREY in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some.' - Don Henley

TRAVIS TRITT has released a statement regarding the passing of his longtime friend:

'GLENN FREY and the music he created alone and with THE EAGLES have been such an inspiration to me. We first met at the video shoot for my version of ‘Take It Easy’ in 1993. He always went out of his way to acknowledge and encourage me ever since. I'm a better person, better musician and a better songwriter having met him. I still can't believe he is gone!' - Travis Tritt

Personally, his music was a big part of my life. It feels like I've lost a close friend. God-Speed Glenn, the Eagle has taken flight!