Eagles Guitarist Steuart Smith Retiring Amid Parkinsonism Diagnosis

Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith is stepping away from the iconic rock band after receiving a Parkinsonism diagnosis.

The 72-year-old musician announced the news in a statement to People.

"It is with profound regret that, due to performance issues associated with my recently diagnosed Parkinsonism, I find that I must bow out of my role with the Eagles while I can still do so gracefully," Smith said.

"It's been a great quarter of a century, and I had hoped to be able to finish out this year with the band, but I must now do what's best for all concerned."

The Parkinson's Foundation defines Parkinsonism as "a set of movement symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and other disorders." Symptoms include "slow movements along with stiffness, walking and balance issues, and/or tremor."

Don Henley, a founding member of the Eagles, also announced Smith's retirement while praising the guitarist for his contributions to the band.

"Steuart Smith has retired from touring. The Eagles will be forever grateful for the extraordinary talents that he brought to both our recordings and live performances," Henley, 77, said in a statement shared with People.

"Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family. We know our many fans join us in wishing him well."

Smith's career includes collaborations with artists like Rosanne Cash, Shawn Colvin, Rodney Crowell, and Wynonna Judd. He officially joined the Eagles in 2001, stepping in for former lead guitarist Don Felder, who was let go from the band at the same time.

Known for his skills playing the twin-necked guitar, Smith also contributed to the band's creative output, co-writing several tracks on their 2007 album "Long Road Out of Eden."

According to Variety, during the Eagles' residency at the Las Vegas Sphere, session guitarist Chris Holt filled in for Smith when the band resumed performances on Jan. 17, following their break between September and December 2024.