Eagles founding member, guitarist Glenn Frey dies at 67

LOS ANGELES — Glenn Frey, a founding member and guitarist for Eagles, died Monday. He was 67.

"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," the band said in a statement. "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."

The Eagles were never branded with a Las Vegas "residency" but played the MGM Grand Garden at least 10 times since 2003, the last time on May 24.

Outside the Eagles, Frey played a solo date in July 2005 as part of the "Stars on the Lake" series at the Lake Las Vegas development in Henderson. He returned in October as one of the guests for Andre Agassi'[s annual "Grand Slam for Children" benefit at the MGM Grand Garden.

Before the MGM became routine in their modern era, the group played on the Strip at least once in its heyday: a December 1979 benefit with Linda Ronstadt at the Aladdin theater, to back California Gov. Jerry Brown's run for president.

The Eagles played the Silver Bowl (now Sam Boyd Stadium) in June 1994, when interest in their "Hell Freezes Over" reunion was at its peak after a 14-year breakup. The date fell on the same weekend America was riveted by the O.J. Simpson "Bronco chase" and arrest in California.

In March 1995, the Eagles played a private show as part of the opening weekend festivities for the Hard Rock Hotel.

The "millennium" New Year's of 1999 into 2000 found the band playing two build-up dates on Dec. 27 and 28 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Frey wrote and provided vocals for many of the Eagles' hits, including "Heartache Tonight," "Lyin' Eyes," "Tequila Sunrise" and "Take It Easy."

The musician, with Don Henley, also co-wrote "Hotel California" and "Desperado."