Thursday, October 18, 2012

Glenn Frey

Glen Frey
Glenn Lewis Frey (pronounced Fry; born November 6, 1948) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and released their debut album in 1972. Glenn Frey played guitar with the Eagles as well as piano and keyboards, and shared lead vocals with Don Henley. The Eagles broke up in 1980 after becoming one of the most successful bands of all time. Frey sang lead vocals on many Eagles hits such as "Take It Easy", "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Already Gone", "Lyin' Eyes", "New Kid in Town", and "Heartache Tonight". After the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Frey embarked on a successful solo career. He released his debut album in 1982 and went on to record Top 40 hits "The One You Love", "Smuggler's Blues", "Sexy Girl", "The Heat Is On", and "You Belong to the City". As a member of the Eagles, Frey has won six Grammys, and five American Music Awards. The Eagles have sold over 120 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. As a solo artist and with the Eagles combined, Frey has released 24 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
A girlfriend of Glenn's had preceded him to L.A., and when he showed up in the city of angels, he had a nice warm bed waiting for him. His girlfriend's sister happened to be dating John David Souther, and the two became fast friends. Soon they formed Longbranch Pennywhistle. They released a self-titled album together in 1969, which did not meet with much success (to put it mildly), but would be the beginning of a songwriting partnership that would be highly productive and successful in the coming years. Glenn also met Jackson Browne at this time, another man who would turn out to be a collaborator and friend. He and J.D. rented a house in Echo Park with Jackson (where Glenn would overhear the beginnings of Take It Easy). The guys started hanging out at the Troubadour, a club that was the favorite of a lot of up-and-coming rockers (and a lot of down-and-out wannabes, too). One of the more successful patrons, Linda Ronstadt, took a liking to Glenn and invited him to be a part of her touring band in 1971.

It was also at the Troubadour that Glenn hooked up with Don Henley. Glenn invited Don to be a part of Linda's touring band as well. Glenn wasn't just picking Don to back up Linda, though. He had another agenda - forming his own band - and he had Don pegged as the guy he wanted to start it up with. At this point, Longbranch Pennywhistle was history. David Geffen had signed J.D. and Glenn to his record company, but not as a duo. He had split them up, made J.D. a solo act, and told Glenn he needed a band to be marketable. Meanwhile, Don's group Shiloh was failing so badly that he was ready to give up and go back to Texas. It was at this low point when salvation arrived for Don in the form of Glenn Frey. Glenn approached him, befriended him, and let him in on his master plan, winning Don over completely. With the help of Ronstadt and her manager John Boylan, Glenn also was able to enlist Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, two other well-established, respected, and talented members of her backup band. Glenn showed up at Geffen's door with his new group, soon to be dubbed the Eagles, and the rock'n'roll scene would never be the same.

www.glennfreyonline.comGlenn Lewis Frey (pronounced Fry; born November 6, 1948) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as a founding member of the Eagles. Frey formed the Eagles after he met drummer Don Henley in 1970 and the two eventually joined Linda Ronstadt's backup band for her summer tour. The Eagles formed in 1971 and released their debut album in 1972. Glenn Frey played guitar with the Eagles as well as piano and keyboards, and shared lead vocals with Don Henley. The Eagles broke up in 1980 after becoming one of the most successful bands of all time. Frey sang lead vocals on many Eagles hits such as "Take It Easy", "Peaceful Easy Feeling", "Tequila Sunrise", "Already Gone", "Lyin' Eyes", "New Kid in Town", and "Heartache Tonight". After the breakup of the Eagles in 1980, Frey embarked on a successful solo career. He released his debut album in 1982 and went on to record Top 40 hits "The One You Love", "Smuggler's Blues", "Sexy Girl", "The Heat Is On", and "You Belong to the City". As a member of the Eagles, Frey has won six Grammys, and five American Music Awards. The Eagles have sold over 120 million albums worldwide and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998. As a solo artist and with the Eagles combined, Frey has released 24 Top 40 singles on the Billboard Hot 100.
A girlfriend of Glenn's had preceded him to L.A., and when he showed up in the city of angels, he had a nice warm bed waiting for him. His girlfriend's sister happened to be dating John David Souther, and the two became fast friends. Soon they formed Longbranch Pennywhistle. They released a self-titled album together in 1969, which did not meet with much success (to put it mildly), but would be the beginning of a songwriting partnership that would be highly productive and successful in the coming years. Glenn also met Jackson Browne at this time, another man who would turn out to be a collaborator and friend. He and J.D. rented a house in Echo Park with Jackson (where Glenn would overhear the beginnings of Take It Easy). The guys started hanging out at the Troubadour, a club that was the favorite of a lot of up-and-coming rockers (and a lot of down-and-out wannabes, too). One of the more successful patrons, Linda Ronstadt, took a liking to Glenn and invited him to be a part of her touring band in 1971.

It was also at the Troubadour that Glenn hooked up with Don Henley. Glenn invited Don to be a part of Linda's touring band as well. Glenn wasn't just picking Don to back up Linda, though. He had another agenda - forming his own band - and he had Don pegged as the guy he wanted to start it up with. At this point, Longbranch Pennywhistle was history. David Geffen had signed J.D. and Glenn to his record company, but not as a duo. He had split them up, made J.D. a solo act, and told Glenn he needed a band to be marketable. Meanwhile, Don's group Shiloh was failing so badly that he was ready to give up and go back to Texas. It was at this low point when salvation arrived for Don in the form of Glenn Frey. Glenn approached him, befriended him, and let him in on his master plan, winning Don over completely. With the help of Ronstadt and her manager John Boylan, Glenn also was able to enlist Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner, two other well-established, respected, and talented members of her backup band. Glenn showed up at Geffen's door with his new group, soon to be dubbed the Eagles, and the rock'n'roll scene would never be the same.

www.glennfreyonline.com


No comments:

Post a Comment