Eagles Founder and Guitarist Glenn Frey Dead at 67

The music world is mourning yet another loss.

E! News has learned that the Eagles founder and guitarist Glenn Frey has died. He was 67.

The band confirmed the tragic news on their website with the following statement: "It is with the heaviest hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016."

The post continued, "Glenn fought a courageous battle for the past several weeks but, sadly, succumbed to complications from Rheumatoid Arthritis, Acute Ulcerative Colitis and Pneumonia.

"The Frey family would like to thank everyone who joined Glenn to fight this fight and hoped and prayed for his recovery. 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."

The tribute ended with the lyrics to one of Frey's songs which he co-wrote, titled "It's Your World Now."

The late musician co-wrote and sang a number of the band's famous hits, including "Take It Easy," "Tequila Sunrise," "Lyin' Eyes," and "Heartache Tonight."

Frey also lent his creative talents to "Hotel California" and "Desperado" with Don Henley, and took home 6 Grammys with the band.

"He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction," Henley said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. 

"But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved. We were two young men who made the pilgrimage to Los Angeles with the same dream: to make our mark in the music industry—and with perseverance, a deep love of music, our alliance with other great musicians and our manager, Irving Azoff, we built something that has lasted longer than anyone could have dreamed. But, Glenn was the one who started it all. He was the spark plug, the man with the plan.

Henley added, "He had an encyclopedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn't quit. He was funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven. He loved is wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year 'History of the Eagles Tour' to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone.

"I'm not sure I believe in fate, but I know that crossing paths with Glenn Lewis Frey in 1970 changed my life forever, and it eventually had an impact on the lives of millions of other people all over the planet. It will be very strange going forward in a world without him in it. But, I will be grateful, every day, that he was in my life. Rest in peace, my brother. You did what you set out to do, and then some."

Frey, who was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, never stopped recording music, releasing what would be his fifth and final solo LP, "After Hours," in 2012.

"As a founding member of the Eagles, Glenn Frey was an integral part of one of the most storied bands in pop history. His songwriting, especially with bandmate Don Henley, resulted in some of the biggest hits and standards of the '70s, including songs like 'Desperado,' 'One Of These Nights,' 'Lyin' Eyes,' and 'Hotel California,'" Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy, said in a statement.

"The latter two earned the Eagles two of their six GRAMMY Awards. Desperado and the milestone album Hotel California, along with its title track, have been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall OF Fame. The band's Their Greatest Hits: 1971-1975 remains one of the best-selling albums of all time, a testament to the enduring music that Glenn played a significant role in creating. Glenn's untimely passing is a huge loss for the music community, and we offer our condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and fans."

TMZ was first to report the story.