When Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, it felt like the end of an era. As a founding member of the Eagles, Frey wasn’t just a frontman—he was a cornerstone of the band’s identity. Songs like “Lyin’ Eyes,” “Take It to the Limit,” and “Hotel California” all carried his creative imprint.
In the aftermath, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy B. Schmit seriously considered calling it quits.
“Glenn started this thing,” Henley said at the time. “It wouldn’t feel right without him.”
But rather than close the book, the band chose to continue—carefully, and with purpose. That’s when Vince Gill entered the picture.
A country music legend with a deep respect for the Eagles’ legacy, Gill wasn’t looking to replace Frey—no one could. He joined to honor the music and help carry it forward. Alongside him, Glenn Frey’s son Deacon Frey also stepped in, adding a personal and emotional layer to the band’s next chapter.
“I was just grateful they thought I was the right fit,” Gill said. “Honestly, I wish Glenn was still here. But since he’s not, I want to do right by him.”
Henley explained the choice simply: “He knows how to be in a band.”
And that’s exactly how Gill approaches it—with humility and heart.
“I don’t need the spotlight,” he said. “I’m here to make the whole thing better. That’s what matters.”
Fans have welcomed Gill with open arms, sensing his sincerity. A seasoned performer, he rose to fame in the ’80s with Pure Prairie League and turned down an invite to join Dire Straits. His solo hits—like “I Still Believe in You” and “One More Last Chance”—are staples of country radio.
Still, Gill admits it’s not the same as performing his own material.
“These songs weren’t written for my voice,” he said. “I can sing them, sure—but they’re not mine.”
But he sees his role with the Eagles as a calling, not a gig. It’s not about filling Glenn Frey’s shoes—it’s about keeping the music alive.
And for Eagles fans, that’s more than enough.
