SA Publicist Remembers Eagles’ Glenn Frey: “A real charmer and a helluva musician”
Glenn Frey – acclaimed guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of The Eagles – has sadly passed away in New York at the age of 67 from complications due to rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia. Many South Africans grew up in the ’70s with popular Eagles’ classics (many of which he co-wrote) – like ‘Hotel California’, ‘Take it Easy’ and ‘Heartache […]
Glenn Frey – acclaimed guitarist, songwriter and co-founder of The Eagles – has sadly passed away in New York at the age of 67 from complications due to rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia.
Many South Africans grew up in the ’70s with popular Eagles’ classics (many of which he co-wrote) – like ‘Hotel California’, ‘Take it Easy’ and ‘Heartache Tonight’ – as the soundtrack to their youths; and in 2012 the American rock band – which Frey had co-founded with Don Henley in 1971 – made many locals happy when they toured South Africa.
Dionne Domyan-Mudie, owner of the Publicity Workshop in Gauteng, was publicist on that tour, and remembered Frey today with the following tribute:
“It was with shock and such sadness to hear that Glenn Frey, Co-Founder of the Eagles has passed away aged 67. I was privileged to be their SA publicist when they toured in 2012.
“He wasn’t an easy man, and he was certainly the decision maker when it came to their schedule and public appearances.
“He called me “PR GIRL” (at the time I was most offended)and I had to be available at all times for any questions / answers he had, or needed to know.
“He sometimes drove me mad with all his questions and quest for perfection, but he was a real charmer and a helluva musician, and I remained in awe of him.
“I am [and] will always be a massive Eagles fan. RIP Glenn Frey.”
Frey had reportedly been suffering from intestinal problems for several months, and underwent an operation in November.
The Eagles surviving members published a statement on their website saying:
“Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia.
“The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery.
“Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community and millions of fans worldwide.”
Drummer, singer, co-writer and co-founder of The Eagles, Don Henley, wrote: “Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn’t quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven.
“I’m not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life.”
The band, which split up in the ’80s, reformed in 1994 and had a successful touring career.
Watch Video: Take It Easy
https://youtu.be/LfeNhwnO8hw?list=PL97Pw8BUdIrzroShuL81iXnyfUqMdNQMc
Watch Video: Hotel California, with lyric
https://youtu.be/p7Hym-4XkNk