© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

The Detroit roots of California rocker Glenn Frey

Glenn Frey photo
Steve Alexander
/
flickr creative commons
Glenn Frey of the Eagles grew up in Michigan.

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.

Kevin Lavery served as a general assignment reporter and occasional local host for Morning Edition and All Things Considered before retiring in 2023.
Related Content
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!