Glenn Frey (born Glenn Lewis Frey; November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016) was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and actor, best known as a founding member and co-lead vocalist of the iconic rock band Eagles.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, and raised in nearby Royal Oak, Frey showed early musical talent, starting piano lessons at age five before switching to guitar. Influenced by the mid-1960s Detroit rock scene (and inspired by seeing The Beatles live), he played in local bands like The Mushrooms and The Subterraneans. After high school, he moved to Los Angeles in the late 1960s, working as a session musician and backing Linda Ronstadt, where he met drummer Don Henley in 1971.
That year, Frey and Henley formed the Eagles with Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner. The band blended country rock, folk, and pop, becoming one of the best-selling acts ever. Frey shared lead vocals and frontman duties with Henley, co-writing most of their material (often with Henley). Key songs he sang or co-wrote include “Take It Easy” (his co-write with Jackson Browne), “Tequila Sunrise”, “Lyin’ Eyes”, “New Kid in Town”, “Heartache Tonight”, and the massive hit “Hotel California” (co-written by Frey, Henley, and Don Felder).
The Eagles achieved enormous success with albums like Hotel California (1976) and their 1976 greatest hits collection (one of the best-selling albums worldwide). Internal tensions led to their breakup in 1980 after a famously acrimonious tour.
Frey pursued a successful solo career in the 1980s, scoring hits like “The Heat Is On” (from Beverly Hills Cop), “Smuggler’s Blues” (featured on Miami Vice, where he also acted), and “You Belong to the City”. He released albums including No Fun Aloud (1982), The Allnighter (1984), and Soul Searchin’ (1988). He also acted in films and TV, appearing in Miami Vice and other shows.
The Eagles reunited in 1994 for the Hell Freezes Over tour and album, and continued touring and recording sporadically. Frey remained a core member until health issues arose; he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis around 2000, which impacted his playing.
Frey died on January 18, 2016, in New York City at age 67 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. He left behind his wife Cindy and three children (including son Deacon, who later performed with the Eagles). Remembered for his smooth tenor voice, sharp songwriting, guitar work, and drive in shaping the Eagles’ sound, Frey helped define 1970s Southern California rock with timeless harmonies and storytelling.