"You're a Part of Me...."

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It's no understatement to say that I'm taking the death of Glenn Frey quite personally. Frey died today (1/18) in New York of pneumonia and complications of ulcerative colitis. He'd had surgery in November to repair decades-old intestinal problems which he had attributed to his "excessive lifestyle" in the 70's. He'd cleaned up his act in the 80's, even doing ads for health clubs, but that didn't undo the damage. I grew up on country music, and when I made the transition to rock the Eagles were there, with songs like "Lyin' Eyes" and "Best of My Love," to counter-balance more hard-rocking songs like "Good Day in Hell" and "Victim of Love." In 1978 I went to my first rock concert: the Eagles. I saw them again in 1980, seven months before they broke up. In October 1982 Glenn Frey started his post-Eagles solo concert career, in Philadelphia. I was at the show, and I got to meet him afterwards. A lot of people over the years said he was a jerk, but that night he was humorous, friendly, and personable. The music of the Eagles is a integral part of my life. I find it hard to believe that my favorite band of the 70's is now history, due to the passing of its co-founder. As Frey sang in the song "Part of Me, Part of You" (used in the film Thelma and Louise), "You're a part of me." You certainly are, Glenn. Glenn Frey was 67.