Keith Urban Pays Tribute to Glenn Frey With Piano Cover of ‘Take It Easy’ [WATCH]
Following the news of Glenn Frey's passing on Monday (Jan. 18), tributes to the Eagles' co-founder and guitarist began pouring in from his bandmates, his fans and his fellow artists, including Keith Urban.
On Monday night, Urban posted a stunning piano cover of the Eagles' song "Take It Easy" to his Facebook page. Press play on the video above to watch.
"So deeply saddened tonight to hear of Glenn Frey's passing," Urban writes. "Way too young ... Blessings to all of his family and the Eagles!"
Frey and Jackson Browne wrote "Take It Easy" in the early 1970s. On May 1, 1972, the Eagles released the song as their very first single, earning a Top 20 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 (No. 12). Browne later recorded "Take It Easy" for his 1973 album For Everyman.
In 1993, Travis Tritt recorded "Take It Easy" for the Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles tribute album. He released the song as a single and reunited the Eagles -- at the time, broken up since 1980 -- for the accompanying music video. It was the first time the Eagles had been together in those 13 years, and it served as the impetus for the group members to consider a reunion, which began the following May.
“Glenn Frey and the music he created alone and with the Eagles have been such an inspiration to me,” Tritt says in a statement. “… He always went out of his way to acknowledge and encourage me ever since. I’m a better person, better musician and a better songwriter having met him.”
Frey, who turned 67 in November, died due to complications from rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia. In late 2015, he underwent “major surgery”due to his intestinal issues, which he believed to be due to his early band days involving drugs and alcohol and had been battling since the early 1980s. Given the lengthy recovery time associated with Frey’s recent surgery, the Eagles opted to postpone being honored at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors in favor of recognition during the 2016 ceremony, so that the entire band could attend.
There is no word on how Frey’s death will affect the Eagles’ future.
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