Lead guitarist of iconic rock band The Eagles has announced he’s stepping down from his role and retiring after a shock health diagnosis.
Steuart Smith, 72, who joined the band back in 2001, shared a statement with People and The Los Angeles Times revealing he was leaving the band after being diagnosed with Parkinsonism.
The musician said he was leaving “with profound regret” and “performance issues” due to his health.
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According to Parkinsons.org.uk, parkinsonism is “an umbrella term used to cover a range of conditions that share similar symptoms to Parkinson’s”.
”It is with profound regret that, due to performance issues associated with my recently diagnosed Parkinsonism, I find that I must bow out of my role with the Eagles while I can still do so gracefully,” Smith said in his statement.
“It’s been a great quarter of a century, and I had hoped to be able to finish out this year with the band, but I must now do what’s best for all concerned.”
Don Henley added a statement, praising Smith’s talents and saying the group will “be forever grateful” for his contributions to the band and touring.
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The group currently have a residency in Las Vegas and will play up to April 2025.
They’ve held the residency since September last year.
Smith previously told Northern Virigina Mag about how he’s managed to keep a low profile with his career despite being in one of the biggest bands of all time.
Legends of the music world, then and now
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“I’ve always had a certain level of under-the-radar anonymity. I’m not a big fan of doing interviews – but I’m totally happy to do this,” Smith told the publication.
“I like to say I keep getting discovered. People say, ‘Oh, I found this guy, and he’s really good, and no one has ever heard of him.'”
He joined the band in 2001 after Don Felder was fired.
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