Glenn Frey (1948-2016): The Eagles' Co-Pilot

Glen Frey is a member of the band, The Eagles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Eagles started out in the 1970s as a country-rock band capitalizing on the easy California sound of the era, as popularized by Linda Ronstadt, Gram Parsons and others.  That they went on to influence pop and country music over the next four decades is a tribute to their lasting popularity, never mind the rough flights along the way.

Off all the successful musical partnerships--John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Keith Richard--Eagles co-founders Glenn Frey (who died at 67 Monday) and Don Henley should be included in the same sentence.

The songs speak for themselves:  "Taking It Easy", "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Life In The Fast Lane", "Tequila Sunrise", and so many others.  The Eagles, having sold more than 100 million copies of their albums, still have two of the best-selling of all time:  "Their Greatest Hits (1971-75)" and "Hotel California".

After a few years of disagreements and personnel turnovers, the Eagles were grounded during the 1980s.  Frey and Henley both pursued solo careers.  Henley's was the most musically successful, with a streak that continues to this day.  Frey had a few hits during the decade with "The Heat Is On" and"You Belong to The City", but he also dabbled with acting.  His most notable roles were a guest appearance on TV's "Miami Vice" as a drug dealer, and playing the general manager of the Arizona Cardinals football team in the film "Jerry Maguire".

The Eagles returned to performing and recording in 1994 after having vowed never to do so again unless "hell froze over", as they put it.  They spent the next two decades touring to sellout crowds everywhere they went.

These days, you can thank (or blame) the Eagles for the way country radio sounds, with a little more rock and a lot less twang.  Acts like Travis Tritt, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw and Blake Shelton owe their careers to the soft twang and high harmonies of Henley, Frey and company.  There's even been a tribute album recorded by some of the country stars.

There's no telling what will happen to the Eagles now that Glenn Frey is already gone, but we do know this:  He's now in a place where, unlike the Hotel California, he can't check out any time he likes, and he can never leave.                           ;