Public Media from Michigan State University

The Detroit roots of California rocker Glenn Frey

Your browser doesn’t support HTML5 audio

Glenn Frey of the Eagles grew up in Michigan.
Steve Alexander

In the 70’s, the Eagles picked up the California sound where the Beach Boys left off. Their co-founder, the late Glenn Frey, was a transplant from Detroit. Current State’s Kevin Lavery talks with Detroit News music contributor Susan Whitall about Frey’s Michigan roots.

It’s been a difficult time for pop music buffs who came of age in the 1970’s. In just over a week, the music world lost British glam rocker David Bowie, and Glenn Frey. Frey was co-founder of the Eagles, the band which brought a darker, more reflective mood to the California sound once pioneered by the Beach Boys.

Glenn Frey was a Michigander. Current State’s Kevin Lavery talked with Susan Whitall, a music journalist and author formerly with the Detroit News. She says the guy who loved soul, country and rock started off learning the classics.

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Email
Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.