The music world is saddened by the death of Glenn Frey, guitarist of the Eagles, a no one more so than those closest to him. Frey’s inner circle included the band’s manager Irving Azoff who fostered their talent since the beginning. Glenn passed away this past Monday (Jan. 18) at the relatively young age of 67. In a new interview, Azoff talked about the legendary guitarist’s death and the impact that the band has had on the industry.
“I can’t believe everything we accomplished,” Azoff said to Billboard. “It was a staggering body of work and just an amazing run. I don’t think there will ever be another American band that’s as successful.” He further described Frey as “a great father and a great humanitarian who cared,” as well has having “taught me much of what I know.”
“He and Don Henley and Dan Fogelberg and I all started together,” Azoff elaborated. "In addition to being an incredible musician, he had a great sense for the business, and a lot of that rubbed off on me.”
He also credited Frey with being the “driving force” behind the Showtime documentary on the band that was recently released, and that Frey, “really sat down with me and planned it, plotted it and executed it.”
Further according to RIAA, the Eagles’ Greatest Hits album only comes in behind Michael Jackson’s Thriller as the best-selling album of all time. The album sold 29 million units and broke records within the industry.
News of Frey's death broke on Jan. 18. Eagles made the announcement of his tragic passing on their official website. The singer passed away from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia over the course of a few weeks. Frey co-founded the band and is crediting with writing their hit songs “Take It Easy,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Desperado,” “Hotel California” and “Life in the Fast Lane.”
