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Bob Seger Says “They Were Trying Like Hell” to Keep Glenn Frey Alive
When Glenn Frey, co-founder of the Eagles, died on January 18, 2016 at the age of 67, the music world lost not only one of its greatest songwriters but one of its warmest, most charismatic spirits. Fans assumed his passing had been sudden, but those who knew him best understood that Frey had been fighting a long, painful battle behind the scenes. Among the first to speak publicly was his lifelong friend Bob Seger, who revealed in heartbreaking honesty that doctors, family, and friends had been “trying like hell” to save him.
Seger’s words cut deeply because they came from a place of profound love — the love of two Detroit kids who had grown up together, dreamed together, and watched each other rise to the top of American rock. His tribute offered a rare glimpse into Frey’s final months, a portrait not of defeat but of courage, resilience, and a team of people fighting with everything they had to keep him alive.
A Friendship Forged in Detroit
Before the Eagles, before sold-out stadiums and platinum records, Glenn Frey was simply a young man from Royal Oak, Michigan, full of ambition and musical fire. Bob Seger, already making waves in the local scene, became one of his earliest mentors and closest friends.
Seger pushed Frey to move to California — not out of selfishness, but because he recognized that Glenn had something rare.
“I told him, ‘You’ve got to get out there. That’s where it’s happening.’”
That encouragement changed the course of rock history. Frey would go on to co-found the Eagles with Don Henley, creating one of the most iconic American bands of all time. Yet through the decades, no matter how famous they became, the friendship between Frey and Seger remained steady, rooted in their shared beginnings.
The Health Battle Few Knew About
In his final years, Frey struggled with rheumatoid arthritis, which led to complications including pneumonia and acute ulcerative colitis. To outsiders, he still seemed vibrant — performing with the Eagles on their History of the Eagles tour, his voice strong, his confidence unshaken.
But behind the scenes, Frey’s health was deteriorating.
According to Seger, the fight to save him was intense, prolonged, and heartbreakingly earnest.
“Glenn was one of the strongest people I knew. They were trying like hell to keep him alive, but it was just too much. He fought hard.”
Seger’s words revealed not only the severity of Frey’s condition but also the depth of determination from everyone around him — doctors, loved ones, and the Eagles family.
A Warrior to the End
Frey was not the kind of man to surrender easily. Throughout his life, he had been known for discipline, confidence, and unyielding drive. Whether writing “Take It Easy,” shaping “Hotel California,” or leading the Eagles through turbulent years, he possessed an unmistakable inner toughness.
That toughness carried into his final days.
Seger described him as “a fighter” who believed he would recover, who never lost hope even when the medical challenges became overwhelming.
This resilience makes Frey’s passing all the more heartbreaking — not because he gave up, but because he truly fought until he no longer could.
A Legacy Too Big to Measure
Glenn Frey’s impact on American music is impossible to quantify. As a songwriter, he helped define the California sound — warm, melodic, rooted in storytelling. As a vocalist, he brought emotion and swagger to classics like:
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“Take It Easy”
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“Lyin’ Eyes”
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“Heartache Tonight”
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“New Kid in Town”
As a performer, he lit up every stage he walked onto. And as a bandleader, he shaped one of the most successful groups in history.
Yet, according to Seger, his greatest legacy wasn’t fame — it was kindness.
“He was a great guy. He loved his family. He loved life. He loved music. There was nobody like him.”
For those closest to him, Glenn Frey wasn’t just a rock star — he was a grounded, generous friend, father, and husband.
The Grief of Those Left Behind
The Eagles issued a heartbreaking statement after his passing, saying:
“We love him with all of our hearts.”
Bob Seger, too, struggled to put his grief into words. His voice cracked as he spoke about losing someone he had known since they were boys.
“I didn’t know how sick he was. None of us wanted to believe it.”
His tribute revealed a truth many fans found comforting and heartbreaking at once: Glenn Frey was deeply loved, and no one — absolutely no one — gave up on him.
Final Reflection
Bob Seger’s emotional comments shed light on the humanity behind the legend. Glenn Frey wasn’t just the confident voice of the Eagles — he was a man surrounded by people who fought for him, who refused to give up, who hoped for a miracle until the very end.
He lived brilliantly, he fought bravely, and he left behind a legacy that will outlive us all.
And through the words of his oldest friend, we are reminded of the simple, devastating truth:
They tried like hell to keep him alive —
because he was worth every second of the fight.
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