• November 6, 1948 - January 18, 2016
• After the Eagles hit it big in the '70s, Frey lived life in the fast lane, but he took up a fitness habit in the late '80s and got himself in serious shape. He became a pitchman for Jack LaLanne fitness centers and appeared in a print ad showing before and after photos, with the before labeled "Hard Rock" and the after "Rock Hard."
• He got into the music business to get girls and make money. Once those goals were met, he turned to more virtuous pursuits. "That's what it was for everybody," he said about his initial motives. "Then you become a serious artist and set out to change the world."
• A formative event for Frey was attending a Beatles concert in the mid-'60s (his aunt brought him to the show). This made him want to become a musician.
• Frey was raised in the Detroit area and played in local bands before heading to Los Angeles in 1968. In Detroit, he fell in with Bob Seger, who became a mentor. Frey can be heard on backing vocals and acoustic guitar on Seger's first hit, "Ramblin' Gamblin' Man."
• In the late '60s, California had quite an allure, especially to a kid from Michigan with dreams of becoming a rock star. Frey read stories about the vibrant music scene and the freewheeling culture, and he wanted in. He headed west and hooked up with J.D. Souther, forming a duo called Longbranch Pennywhistle. This led to a gig backing Linda Ronstadt, where he met Don Henley, with whom he formed the Eagles.
• He became good friends with Jackson Browne when he moved to LA. Browne tried to get him a solo deal with his label, Asylum Records, but Asylum didn't want him. They did tell him that if he got a band together, they might be interested. Frey did, and that band - the Eagles - signed with Asylum.
• Working on Eagles albums, Frey showed a nearly obsessive focus in the studio, as did his main creative partner in the group, Don Henley. Their determination led to many classic recordings, but it took a toll on the group, as the process was quite laborious and could get a bit insular as Frey and Henley took control.
• Frey had a modest acting career, guest starring on an episode of Miami Vice and appearing in seven episodes of the 1989 series Wiseguy. In 1993, he had a lead role in a CBS series called South of Sunset, which might hold the record for quickest cancellation: it was pulled after one episode.

Comments

More Songfacts:

5-1-5-0Dierks Bentley

When it topped the chart in 2012, Dierks Bentley's "5-1-5-0" became the first #1 Country hit with a title that's all numbers.

Walkin' On The SunSmash Mouth

You wouldn't know it from the upbeat melody, but "Walkin' On The Sun" by Smash Mouth is about the 1992 Los Angeles Riots.

Come Out And PlayThe Offspring

The line, "Gotta keep 'em separated" in "Come Out And Play" by The Offspring came to lead singer Dexter Holland when he was a medical student and needed to keep bacteria samples away from each other.

BeautifulChristina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera did her "Beautiful" vocal in one take; the opening line, "Don't look at me," is something she said to her friend in the studio who was there to offer support.

Poker FaceLady Gaga

Lady Gaga says that "Poker Face" is about her personal experience with bisexuality; being with a man but thinking about a woman.

Justify My LoveMadonna

Madonna's "Justify My Love" was co-written by Lenny Kravitz.

Editor's Picks

Top American Idol Moments: Songs And ScandalsSong Writing

Surprise exits, a catfight and some very memorable performances make our list of the most memorable Idol moments.

Mike Scott of The WaterboysSongwriter Interviews

The stories behind "Whole Of The Moon" and "Red Army Blues," and why rock music has "outlived its era of innovation."

Dave EdmundsSongwriter Interviews

A renowned guitarist and rock revivalist, Dave took "I Hear You Knocking" to the top of the UK charts and was the first to record Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk."

Lip-Synch RebelsSong Writing

What happens when Kurt Cobain, Iron Maiden and Johnny Lydon are told to lip-synch? Some hilarious "performances."

Michael BoltonSongwriter Interviews

Into the vaults for this talk with Bolton from the '80s when he was a focused on writing songs for other artists.

Johnette Napolitano of Concrete BlondeSongwriter Interviews

The singer/bassist for Concrete Blonde talks about how her songs come from clairvoyance, and takes us through the making of their hit "Joey."