Glenn Frey’s Arthritis Meds Led To Death, Says Eagles Manager

Irving Azoff, the manager for the Eagles, believes that Glenn Frey’s arthritis medicine was largely to blame for his death at age 69.

Irving Azoff On Glenn Frey Death

For more than a decade, Frey, the lead guitarist and founding member of the Eagles, suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. To combat the effects of the ailment, he had long taken medication, which Azoff believes contributed to the illnesses that ultimately led to his passing earlier this month.

“The colitis and pneumonia were side effects from all the meds,” Azoff told TheWrap. “He died from complications of ulcer and colitis after being treated with drugs for his rheumatoid arthritis which he had for over 15 years.”

Talking about Frey’s struggle with arthritis, Azoff said, “One day his knees would hurt, his hands hurt,” adding that it “moves from joint to joint.”

Azoff declined to name the medications that Frey had been prescribed on advice from an attorney.

Frey died on Jan. 18. His passing was confirmed by the Eagles on the band’s website. “Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia,” read the statement. “Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us, his family, the music community & millions of fans worldwide.”