Glenn Frey Dies: The Eagles Singer-Guitarist Was 67

Glenn Frey, co-founding member of the Eagles and a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, has died at 67 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis and side effects of medications for acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia, according to manager Irving Azoff.

The rock singer-guitarist had been treated for rheumatoid arthritis for more than 15 years, said Azoff.

The Eagles became a chart-topping band in the late 1970s with classic hits like "Hotel California." As solo artist, Frey topped the charts with more hits like "The Heat is On" and "You Belong to the City."

"It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday …," the band said in a statement.

Azoff told The Wrap that the medication the guitarist was taking played a role in his death.

"The colitis and pneumonia were side effects from all the meds," said Azoff. "He died from complications of ulcer and colitis after being treated with drugs for his rheumatoid arthritis which he had for over 15 years."

Band mate Don Henley, who had his own successful solo career separate from the Eagles, told Rolling Stone magazine that Frey was "like a brother to me," and said  meeting Frey in 1970 changed his life forever. He also acknowledged the band's "dysfunction" that would lead to its break-up.

"… The bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved," said Henley. "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."

The Eagles reunited for the 1994 album "Hell Freezes Over" and toured for almost six years, said Rolling Stone. The group was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, noted the magazine.

The band, whose hits also included the tunes "Desperado," "Take It Easy," "Tequila Sunrise," "Lyin' Eyes," and "Heartache Tonight," won six Grammy awards, said TMZ.

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