Died On This Date (January 18, 2016) Glenn Frey / The Eagles
themusicsover Glenn Frey
November 6, 1948 – January 18, 2016
Glenn Frey was best known for being a founding member of the hugely popular American rock band, the Eagles. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Frey initially studied the keyboards and formed his first band while still in high school. His first break came by way of local up-and-comer, Bob Seger, who asked Frey to play acoustic guitar and sing background vocals on his 1968 single, “Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man.” Soon after, Frey moved to Los Angeles to further pursue his career and quickly gravitated toward a collective of musicians that were starting to make some noise with their twangy folk rock songs that would later be dubbed the “Laurel Canyon Sound.” In 1970, Linda Ronstadt was looking for a band to play one gig at Disneyland. As fate would have it, that band turned out to be Frey, Don Henley, Randy Meisner, and Bernie Leadon. Frey and Henley clicked, so after appearing on Ronstadt’s self-titled album, she encouraged them to form their own band, and the Eagles were born. With their country-tinged soft rockers, tight musicianship, and exquisite harmonies, the band took America by storm. They went on to become one of the most successful rock bands in the world with Frey writing or co-writing many of their biggest hits. That list of songs includes, “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Already Gone,” “New Kid In Town,” and “Tequila Sunrise.” But in less than a decade, their run was over. Frey went on to achieve a successful solo career fueled by hit singles he recorded for the soundtracks of Beverly Hills Cop (“The Heat Is On”), and Miami Vice (“You Belong To The City” and “Smuggler’s Blues”). His 1982 debut album, No Fun Aloud, did well also, hitting #32 on the US charts and achieving Gold status. During this period, Frey also dabbled in acting, most notably as a drug smuggler in the first season of Miami Vice. He also appeared on such TV shows as Wiseguy and Arli$$, and films, Let’s Get Harry and Jerry Maguire. The Eagles reformed to much acclaim in 1994 and have continued to tour on occasion ever since. In 2007, they reunited to record their first album since 1979, The Long Road Out Of Eden. Joining Frey and Henley on this album and tour to follow were fellow Eagles, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh. In late 2015, it was announced that Frey was suffering from serious health issues but was expected to recover, at least publicly. On January 18, 2016, Glenn Frey died from a combination of complications following an intestinal surgery in November. He was 67.
What You Should Own
Mike Auldridge was a much respected master of the resophonic guitar, or as it is more commonly known, the dobro. Born in Washington, DC, Auldridge began playing the guitar at the age of 13. He eventually transitioned to the dobro, but didn’t began playing music full-time until he was around 40, when the Washington Star-News closed its doors. He had had been earning his living as a graphic artist for the paper. In 1971, Auldridge co-founded the Seldom Scene with a handful of musicians he jammed with each week. The band, much to the chagrin of traditionalists, married bluegrass with jazz, folk, and rock. By doing so, they were pioneers of progressive bluegrass, or what they called “acid grass,” which has been popularized by such jam bands as String Cheese Incident. As an in-demand session player, Auldridge played on records by 
Yomo Toro was a beloved Puerto Rican musician whose prowess with the cuatro – a mandolin-type of stringed instrument – helped define the New York City Latin music scene of the ’50s and ’60s. Toro was just six when he picked up the instrument, and by 15 he was already fronting his own band. He commuted between Puerto Rico and New York City beginning in 1953, and ultimately moved there in 1957. During the ’70s, he recorded with and traveled the world as part of the legendary Salsa group, the Fania All-Stars. Fania Records is considered the finest Salsa label the world has ever known. During the ’60s and ’70s, Toro hosted his own local television program, The Yomo Toro Show. Over the course of his career, he released over 20 albums and appeared on more than 150 others. He recorded with the likes of Willie Colon, Hector Lavoe, David Byrne, Paul Simon, Harry Belafonte, and Linda Ronstadt. Yomo Toro was 78 when he died of kidney failure on June 30, 2012.
Doug Dillard was a world-renowned banjo player and founding member of the Dillards. Formed in 1962, the pickers eventually added electric guitars, drums and keyboards to the mix which in turn, laid the foundation for country rock to come in the early ’70s, and newgrass in the ’80s and ’90s. Artists who have taken a cue for the Dillards include the Flying Burrito Brothers, the Eagles, New Grass Revival, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Sam Bush, String Cheese Incident, Ricky Skaggs, and the Byrds. The Dillards made their mark on television as well. During the ’60s, they had a recurring role as the Darlings, a bluegrass band that performed on the Andy Griffith Show. The group continued to release albums well into the ’90s. Outside of the Dillards, Doug also performed alongside the Byrds‘ Gene Clark as the Dillard and Clark Band. Throughout his career, he either performed or recorded with the likes of Elton John, 
