Deacon Frey, who stepped into his late father Glenn Frey's musical role in the legendary Eagles after his death, has departed the group.

The Eagles turned to social media on Wednesday (April 6) to announce the news, writing, "Deacon Frey has devoted the past 4 1/2 years to carrying on his father’s legacy and, after some weeks of reflection, he now feels that it is time for him to forge his own path. We understand, completely, and we support him in whatever he wishes to pursue in the years ahead."

Glenn Frey died on Jan. 18, 2016, at the age of 67 from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, acute ulcerative colitis and pneumonia. The Eagles stunned fans when Deacon Frey and Vince Gill joined the group in 2017, making their live concert debut with the group on July 15, 2017. Gill and Deacon Frey took the stage at Classic West at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles alongside classic-era band members Don Henley, Timothy B. Schmit and Joe Walsh for the Eagles' first-ever concert performance without Glenn Frey, and they have toured with the Eagles in the years since, with Frey taking over lead vocals on "Take It Easy," as well as Gill singing "Lyin' Eyes" and "Take It to the Limit."

"In the wake of his dad’s demise, Deacon, at age 24, did an extraordinary thing by stepping from relative anonymity into the very public world of his father’s long illustrious career," the Eagles' statement continues. "We are grateful to Deacon for his admirable efforts and we wish him well as he charts his future. Deacon’s Eagles Family will always be here to surround him with love, support and goodwill, and he is always welcome to join us onstage at any future concerts, if he so desires. We hope our fans will join us in wishing Deacon the very best as he moves into the next phase of his career."

The younger Frey has been notably absent from the Eagles' most recent run of shows in 2022, which have found them performing the group's Hotel California album in its entirety. His absence was previously attributed to an undisclosed illness. Vince Gill has stepped up his vocal duties in the band, covering for some of Frey's classic songs that Deacon Frey had been handling in the show.

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