The Eagles song played at Glenn Frey’s funeral (2024)

The Eagles song played at Glenn Frey’s funeral (1)

(Credit: Steve Alexander)

Most music fans have occasionally morbidly dreamt up a setlist for their funeral. While imagining this dreary day isn’t a pleasant thought process, it’s still an opportunity to curate one final playlist and bow out with a bang. While we mere mortals have to rely on songs made by others, Glenn Frey’s last outing was soundtracked by a track from The Eagles‘ canon.

Frey died in 2016, aged 67, after developing rheumatoid arthritis. He also reportedly suffered from colitis and pneumonia, which were attributed as causes of his death. At the time of his death, Don Henley, his bandmate in The Eagles, emotionally said: “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.”

Henley continued: “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.”

The memorial ceremony took place at The Forum in Los Angeles. It was attended by many illustrious figures in the music industry, ranging from unsung heroes who operate behind the scenes to stars of the stage, such as Stevie Wonder and his fellow Eagles. Although it was a private send-off, many details have emerged from Frey’s funeral.

There were performances throughout the ceremony, including from Wonder, Henley and Randy Newman. At the end of the funeral, many musicians joined forces for a special version of The Eagles song ‘Already Gone’, a fitting way to wave goodbye to their friend.

Although Frey performed lead vocals on the track, he did not write the song. Interestingly, it was written several years before by songwriting pairing Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund, who eventually found a home for their creation with The Eagles. They had previously penned ‘Peaceful Easy Feeling’ for the band before collaborating again on ‘Already Gone’.

Listen to ‘Already Gone’ below.

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The Eagles song played at Glenn Frey’s funeral (2024)

FAQs

The Eagles song played at Glenn Frey’s funeral? ›

At the end of the funeral, many musicians joined forces for a special version of The Eagles song 'Already Gone', a fitting way to wave goodbye to their friend. Although Frey performed lead vocals on the track, he did not write the song.

How much was Glenn Frey worth when he passed away? ›

Glenn Frey, who passed away in 2016, had an estimated net worth of $120 million at the time of his death, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Like Henley, Frey was a founding member of the Eagles and was a prolific songwriter and musician.

Who didn't get along in the Eagles? ›

Glenn Frey and Don Felder grew to hate each other, to the point that during a concert, within range of the mics, Frey told Felder that he was going to beat him up after the show. Felder, by far the more genteel of the two, publicly paid tribute to Frey after he died.

What was the biggest hit that the Eagles had? ›

'Hotel California' is one of the most famous and popular songs in rock history. It was released as the title track of their fifth studio album in 1977, and became a number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

What was Glenn Frey's biggest hit? ›

The cop show not only launched his career as an actor and drove his song "Smuggler's Blues" up the charts but also gave him the single biggest hit of his career: "You Belong to the City." He and songwriting partner Jack Tempchin wrote the tale of a long, lonely urban night especially for the show.

What is the Eagles number 1 song? ›

On the Border yielded a number 1 Billboard single ("Best of My Love"), which hit the top of the charts on March 1, 1975. The song was the Eagles' first of five chart-toppers. The album included a cover version of the Tom Waits song "Ol' '55" and the single "James Dean", which reached number 77 on the charts.

What was Glenn Frey's cause of death? ›

Frey died there on January 18, 2016, at the age of 67, from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia. Some medications for rheumatoid arthritis or ulcerative colitis are immune suppressants and can compromise the immune system's ability to fight off pneumonia.

Who sang most of the Eagles songs? ›

According to Ultimate Classic Rock… That would be Don Henley having sang lead on 40 Eagles songs. Followed by Glenn Frey who sang some 27. After that it's Randy Meisner with 10, Bernie Leadon with 6.

Who sang at Glenn Frey's funeral? ›

There were performances throughout the ceremony, including from Wonder, Henley and Randy Newman. At the end of the funeral, many musicians joined forces for a special version of The Eagles song 'Already Gone', a fitting way to wave goodbye to their friend.

Why did the Eagles get rid of Randy Meisner? ›

Schmit, after agreeing that Schmit was the only candidate. Meisner formally quit the band in September 1977, citing "exhaustion". On the subject of his abrupt resignation from the band, Meisner later said, "All that stuff and all the arguing amongst the Eagles is over now. Well, at least for me."

What did Don Henley say about Randy Meisner? ›

Bandmate Don Henley said: “Randy was extremely uncomfortable with so-called superstardom.” His former bandmate, Don Felder, called Meisner the “sweetest man in the music industry”. Felder added, “He was a wonderful Midwestern guy with a great heart and a loving soul”.

Who is the Eagles most hated rival? ›

The Cowboys–Eagles rivalry is a 63 year-long intra-divisional rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL), with the two teams contained in the same division since 1961.

Who was the best songwriter in the Eagles? ›

Glen Frey became a power songwriter for the Eagles, having composition credits on a number of the group's most well-known POP hits, including Best Of My Love, I Can't Tell You Why, One Of These Nights, Take It To The Limit, The One You Love, Tequila Sunrise, New Kid In Town.

What song did Joe Walsh sing lead on with the Eagles? ›

Walsh is probably most famous for his song "Life's Been Good", but he has sang lead vocals on other Eagles songs, such as "All Night Long" and "Pretty Maids all in a Row" (Hotel California, although "All Night Long appeared on the Eagles Live album alongside "Rocky Mountain Way".), "In the City" (The Long Run), "Help ...

What is Don Henley famous for? ›

MusicRadar called Henley one of the greatest singing drummers of all time. In live shows, Henley plays drums and sings simultaneously on some Eagles songs. On his solo songs and other Eagles songs, he plays electric guitar and simultaneously sings or just sings solo.

What songs did Glenn Frey sing lead on for the Eagles? ›

Frey wrote or co-wrote (often with Henley) many of the group's songs, and sang the lead vocals on a number of Eagles hits including "Take It Easy", "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Already Gone", "Tequila Sunrise", "Lyin' Eyes", "New Kid in Town", "Heartache Tonight" and "How Long".

Who sang with the Eagles after Glenn Frey died? ›

After Glenn died in 2016 at the unripe age of 67, his middle child, Deacon, stepped up to the plate to carry on the legacy of the fallen Eagle. Dashing, wavy-haired and mustachioed like his dad, Deacon has been performing with Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B.

What is the meaning of the last resort song? ›

"The Last Resort" is a song written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, which describes industry and commerce inevitably destroying beautiful places. It was originally released on the Eagles' album Hotel California on December 8, 1976.

Who sang falsetto in the Eagles? ›

Randy Meisner, a co-founder of the rock band the Eagles who used his sweeping vocal range to hit the falsetto peaks of the group's 1975 hit “Take It to the Limit,” but was later pushed out amid quarrels with other members during their rise to fame, died July 26 in Los Angeles. He was 77.

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