The US band announced the news on its website stating the founding member died on Monday in New York city after complications from a number of illnesses.

“It is with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of our comrade, Eagles founder, Glenn Frey, in New York City on Monday, January 18th, 2016,” the band wrote.

“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 band included the lyrics of the song “It’s Your World Now” from the “Long Road Out of Eden” album along with the announcement.

Frey’s bandmate Don Henley said the guitarist was like a brother to him, regardless of The Eagle’s fractious relationship over their 45-year history and he gave him credit for starting the group.

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

The Eagles toured Australia last year on their History of the Eagles tour.

– AAP