Eagles Members, Jackson Browne Uniting for Glenn Frey Grammy Tribute
Eagles co-founder Bernie Leadon and singer-songwriter Jackson Browne will join members Don Henley, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit for a Grammy tribute honoring Glenn Frey, the Eagles singer-guitarist who died January 18th at age 67. As Billboard reports, it’s likely the performance will include “Take It Easy,” the band’s seminal 1972 folk-rock anthem, which Browne co-wrote with Frey.
Browne dedicated a solo version of “Take It Easy” to Frey during a January concert in Florida, reminiscing about the pair’s early days as roommates in Los Angeles. “I wrote this song with Glenn Frey,” he said from the stage. “It’s a song that I started, but I didn’t finish it. Even if I had finished it by myself, it wouldn’t be the song that it is and it wouldn’t be the song that we all love.”
Frey died of complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia. His last Eagles performance came July 29th, 2015 in Louisiana.
Leadon – a guitarist and former member of country-rock act the Flying Burrito Brothers – co-formed the Eagles with Frey, drummer Henley and bassist Randy Meisner after uniting as Linda Ronstadt’s backing band during a 1971 tour. Leadon left the band in 1975, with Walsh taking over guitar duties. Bassist-singer Schmit, a veteran of country-rock band Poco, joined the Eagles in 1977 after Meisner’s departure.
The 2016 Grammy Awards – scheduled for February 15th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles – will also feature performances from Adele, Kendrick Lamar, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, Skrillex, the Weeknd and a David Bowie tribute from Lady Gaga.