Glenn Frey, founding member and lead man of the venerable rock band Eagles, died on January 18, 2016, at the age of 67. His autopsy report linked his death to complications from several chronic medical conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis, and pneumonia, all of which he had bravely battled for years.
Nearly ten years after his passing, former Eagles member and guitarist Don Felder, who was kicked out of the band in 2001, recently paid a heartfelt tribute to his late bandmate, honoring Frey’s legacy with his freshly released fourth solo album.
Don Felder says “Blue Skies” is a personal tribute to the late Glenn Frey
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In an interview with ABC News, Felder opened up about his latest album, The Vault — Fifty Years of Music, which features new recorded versions of demo tracks he wrote over the past fifty years. Among the standout songs in the collection is the track “Blue Skies,” a tribute that he personally penned for the late musician.
The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer revealed that he never had the opportunity to engage in a meaningful, personal conversation with Frey before his passing, a development which he claimed still fills him with sadness. He explained that the lingering sense of regret served as a springboard that inspired him to write “Blue Skies” in honor of the iconic musician’s memory and also to wish him eternal peace.
Don Felder has always honored Glenn Frey’s memories
Despite their well-documented conflicts during their time together in the Eagles, Felder has consistently shown respect and affection for his late former bandmate over the years.
Brushing aside their past differences to appreciate their shared musical legacy, Felder had previously taken to his Instagram story to share a tribute to honor Frey on the eighth anniversary of his death. Posting a picture of Frey, the legendary guitarist, reflected on how quickly the years had gone by since his passing and expressed a positive emotion about seeing him once more someday, emphasizing the amazing connection they had through their music.