In a surprising twist, Eagles manager Irving Azoff claims that Glenn Frey’s death was partially caused by medications he was taking to treat a pre-existing condition. In a statement released to the band’s website Monday (Jan. 18) it is said that Frey died of multiple ailments, including rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia at 67.. In an a new interview, Azoff said that the colitis and pneumonia were directly to connected to medications he was on for the arthritis, although he would not name names.
“The colitis and pneumonia were side effects from all the meds,” Azoff told The Wrap. “He died from complications of ulcer and colitis after being treated with drugs for his rheumatoid arthritis which he head for over 15 years.”
Azhoff was hesitant to specify which drug he believes caused the latter two conditions, and told The Wrap that an attorney had instructed him not to.
In the interview Azoff, who was a member of Frey’s inner circle, described the daily struggle it was for the musician to live with ulcerative colitis. According to Azoff, “One day his knees would hurt, his hands hurt,” before saying that rheumatoid arthritis “moves from joint to joint.”
Azoff further described to The Wrap just how hard he was taking the loss, saying, “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 humanitarian, and he’s gone way too soon.
According to Billboard, Frey’s intestinal issues had forced the band to postpone the Kennedy Center Honors last year.
Frey passed away in New York City and shortly after a statement was released on the band’s official website that listed the ailments he passed away from. Frey was a founding member of the Eagles and is credited with penning some of the band’s greatest hits, including “Take It Easy,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Desperado,” “Hotel California,” and “Life in the Fast Lane.”
