Death has claimed another icon. Glenn Frey, founding member of The Eagles has died at 67 years old, his family announced today. Frey recently had intestinal surgery, and passed from complications, including pneumonia, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis.

More below.

Frey did it all – singer, guitarist, keyboardist, actor. He grew up in Michigan, and worked with Bob Seger and Linda Rondstadt, before forming the Eagles in 1971 with Don Henley, Randy Meisner and Bernie Leadon, which became one of the most successful bands of all time. Together, The Eagles churned out hits like “Tequila Sunrise,” “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It Easy,” “Already Gone,” “How Long,” and of course, “Hotel California,” which went on to be one of the most popular songs in rock history, topping the list of top classic rock songs for decades now. The band broke up (as most bands do) in 1980 and got back together (as most bands also do) in 1994, with a reunion tour dubbed “Hell Freezes Over,” with the best-known iteration of the group: Frey, Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit, and Don Felder (the line-up from Long Run era).

Frey also had many solo hits like “The Heat Is On” from Beverly Hills Cop, and “You Belong To The City” and “Smuggler’s Blues” from Miami Vice, as . The Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. He acted in a few films and television shows as well, such as Let’s Get Harry and Jerry Maguire. His last solo album, “After Hours” was released in 2012.

Family’s statement on his Facebook page:

“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 & millions of fans worldwide.”

Don Henley said of his longtime friend, with whom he cowrote the timeless “Hotel California” –

“He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction. But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry “” and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed.

“But, 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. He loved his wife and kids more than anything.”

On the Eagles website, this statement and the lyrics to the appropriate, “It’s Your World Now” was posted:

It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce”¦…the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016.

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 & millions of fans worldwide.

Cindy Frey | Taylor Frey | Deacon Frey | Otis Frey|
Don Henley | Joe Walsh | Timothy B. Schmit | Bernie Leadon | Irving Azoff

RIP Glenn Frey
November 6th, 1948 – January 18th, 2016

Glenn Frey – Smuggler's blues (Miami Vice OST) from jimmycerf on Vimeo.

[Source:Eagles.com]