Glenn Frey, who has died aged 67 from complications arising from rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia, was a successful actor and solo performer, but leaves a huge legacy above all in his body of work with the Eagles. One of the most successful bands of all time, they defined a particular strain of melodic, sophisticated American rock in the 1970s. “Glenn was the man who started it all,” wrote the band’s drummer and vocalist Don Henley, whose partnership with Frey was at the core of the Eagles’ success. “He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.”
As the Eagles developed from the country-rock sound of their 1972 debut album, Eagles, through a stream of bestsellers that included One of These Nights (1975), Hotel California (1976) and The Long Run (1979), Frey was prominent as guitarist and vocalist, and as co-writer on their most memorable songs. Their first single and breakthrough hit, Take It Easy, was co-written by Frey and Jackson Browne, and he subsequently contributed to the US No 1 hits Best of My Love, One of These Nights, New Kid in Town, Hotel California and Heartache Tonight. The songs Tequila Sunrise, Desperado, Lyin’ Eyes and The Long Run also carried the Frey writing imprint.
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