Glenn Frey (1948 – 2016): Tributes From Fellow Musicians
by Best Classic Bands Staff
Glenn Frey via Eagles.com
When news broke of the passing of Glenn Frey on January 18, 2016, fellow musicians and celebrities took to social media took to social media to share their grief. Here are tributes from those who knew him best.
(Here’s Best Classic Bands’ original news story of Frey’s death.)
Don Henley (statement): “He was like a brother to me; we were like family, and like most families, there was some disfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved.” (See below for the complete statement.)
Jackson Browne (said this about his “Take It Easy” collaborator at his January 19, 2016, performance in Clearwater, FL, as quoted by the Tampa Bay Times):
“”This is a sad, sad, sad day. I’ve been doing this song every night for a while here. I didn’t use to sing it because it was such a famous song, I figured, you know, if people heard me start singing this song they’d have, they’d come away thinking: ‘Uh, yeah, and then he sang a Eagles cover.’
“I wrote this song with Glenn Frey,” Browne continued, pausing for the crowd’s eulogy applause. “It is a song that I started, and I didn’t know how to finish it. But I do know if I had finished it by myself, it wouldn’t be the song that is it; it wouldn’t be the song that we all love, you know?”
Watch a fan’s video of the performance which, though out-of-focus for the first minute, is then crystal clear
Don Felder (Facebook): “I am in a state of shock and disbelief at Glenn’s passing. It was so unexpected and has left me with a very heavy heart filled with sorrow. He was so young and still full of amazing genius. He was an extremely talented songwriter, arranger, leader, singer, guitarist, you name it and Glenn could do it and create ‘MAGIC’ on the spot. His visions and insights into songs and lyrics have become legendary and will echo throughout time on this earth for decades to come.
“Glenn was funny, strong, generous and kind. It was a gift of a lifetime to have spent so many years working side by side with him. At times it felt like we were brothers and at other times, like brothers, we disagreed. Despite our difficult moments together we managed to create some magical songs, magical memories, great recordings and live shows together.
“The planet has lost a great man and musician today. None will ever be able to take his place. Rest in peace Glenn and may God bless you and your family.”
Sheryl Crow (Facebook): “Sad, sad day. Rest In Peace Glenn Frey. My heart goes out to Cindy and the members of the Eagles and his entire family of friends and fan who loved him so. You will be sorely missed. Thank you for all you gave us.”
Carole King (Facebook): “R.I.P. Glenn Frey. Deepest condolences to his family and Eagles.”
Stevie Nicks (Facebook): “I’m sure more words will come later. Seeing though my tears to this white paper is almost impossible right now. For now…just this…
Take it easy, Mr Frey~
As you fly~
Take it easy~
Stevie Nicks (Brokenhearted)”
Irving Azoff (longtime Eagles manager via The Wrap): “I wouldn’t have been the success that I’ve been without Glenn Frey teaching me, leading me and supporting me for over 40 years … He was a passionate family man, a great father, a great humanitarian, and he’s gone way too soon.”
Alex Gibney (producer of 2013’s History of the Eagles documentary, via CNN’s Anderson Cooper’s AC360): “Glenn Frey and Don Henley were the ultimate practitioners of the idea of where there’s a will, there’s a way. With their will, they found the way to be the best-selling band of the 20th century. Glenn was really all about hard work, and a sense of will and determination. Their sound really had to do with their voices. They wanted to play rock’n’roll but it was really their sense of harmony and how those voices blended together, not only Don and Glenn but also Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon [the original incarnation of the band]. It was those voices together that made this kind of beautiful sound at a moment when country rock was coming on strong, [it] really found a moment and an audience.”
America (Facebook): “Say it ain’t so…his is so very hard. We mourn the passing of Glenn.”
Don Henley’s tribute to Glenn Frey “The man with the plan”:
Rusty Young (of Poco via Facebook): “I met Glenn Frey at the Troubadour in the late sixties. He’d hang out at the bar with J.D. Souther and Jackson Brown talk music and pick up girls. It wasn’t long before Glenn and J.D., (Long Branch and Penny Whistle), were opening for Poco at the Troubadour.
“After the Eagles took off, I’d run into Glenn every once in a while. We even had the tables turned and opened some shows for them in the seventies.
My favorite memory was running into Glenn at The Record Plant in LA back when they were working on the ‘One Of These Nights’ album.
Glenn pulled me into a small playback room and put a tape reel on the playback machine.
“It was a rough mix of ‘One Of These Nights’ and it was amazing. I loved it and let him know I thought they’d knocked it out of park. He was very proud and rightly so.
“What a great legacy Glenn leaves all to soon.
Rusty”
Brian Wilson (Facebook): “I was shocked to hear about Glenn Frey passing away – it was a real blow to hear. The Eagles had so many great songs and Glenn was such a big part of it. Anyone who’s been in the business has to admire everything he and his band accomplished. Love & Mercy to Glenn’s family tonight. – Brian”
Standin’ on the Corner Park, Winslow Arizona
Bob Seger (Facebook): “I always kind of thought of him as my baby brother, a little bit. He was f*cking brilliant.”
Huey Lewis (Facebook): “I’m shocked. He was a brilliant songwriter, obviously, and a really good guy. He was talented, funny, cynical and sweet, and he will be missed tremendously. His music will live on, of course, but it’s hard to believe he is no longer with us. Very sad. – Huey”
Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo): “Shocker. My friend from the early days, and important member of Eagles, has died. We loved you, Glenn Frey”
John Fogerty (Facebook): “I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Glenn Frey. He was a dear friend and one of the greatest songwriters that ever lived. I will cherish the times we had together. Much love to his family.”
Meat Loaf (Facebook): People I respect and love are just leaving us too fast ,, Now we have Lost Glenn Frey who was a member of the Eagles . The Eagles released my favorite album of all time “ Hotel California “ . His talent will be missed . We also lost a magnificent actor and true human being Alan Rickman who was in all the Harry Potter films plus gave amazing performances many of his 50 plus other films . My heart has been broken with the loss of so much great talent . Please remember both of them for the Great contributions they have given all of us and the entertainment world . Again, They will soar on Wings like Eagles
Dave Mason (Facebook): “Mourning the loss of Glenn Frey but celebrating the great music he made both as a solo artist and with the Eagles.”
The Doobie Brothers (Facebook): Glenn Frey’s passing leaves another tremendous void in the Rock world.
Glenn Frey and Don Henley were the founders, writers, and singers for what became the Eagles’ sound. They were trailblazers with an instantly recognizable vocal and instrumental style. From the early country rock hits like “Take It Easy” to the harder edge tunes like “Life In The Fast Lane,” Glenn’s voice will live on and his contribution to the world of music will not be forgotten. RIP Glenn
Richie Furay (Facebook): “Along with so many, my heart is saddened at the news of Glenn Frey’s passing. I would like to think there was a little bit of inspiration that I passed on to him with which he made so many people happy with his wonderful talent. May the LORD’s comforting grace be with his family.”
God bless Glenn Frey peace and love to all his family and friends 😎✌️🌟💖🌺🌺🌷
— Ringo Starr (@ringostarrmusic) January 19, 2016
Jimmy Buffett (via Facebook): “I cherish great memories of our time spent together and will never forget his kindness that first night and our friendship for all these years…”
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1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationIf you haven’t heard his “After Hours” solo album, it is a must. I know he could be a pain but Glenn was a musical genius, that can not be denied. RIP.