“I must bow out while I can still do so gracefully”: Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith quits band after Parkinson’s diagnosis
Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith is stepping away from the band after being recently diagnosed with Parkinsonism.
A member of the country rock outfit since 2001, 72-year-old Smith confirmed his retirement in a statement and said he hopes to do so “while I can still do so gracefully”.
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“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 says.
“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.”
According to the Parkinson’s Foundation, Parkinsonism is a term referring to “a group of neurological disorders that cause movement problems similar to those seen in Parkinson’s disease such as tremors, slow movement and stiffness.”
Paying tribute to Smith’s time with the group, Eagles’ co-founder Don Henley wrote, “The Eagles will be forever grateful for the extraordinary talents that he brought to both our recordings and live performances.”
“Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family. We know our many fans join us in wishing him well.”
The Eagles are currently in the middle of a stint at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Session guitarist Christopher Holt, who recently joined the members on stage on their 17 January show, will be taking over Smith’s duties in the band till their residency concludes on 12 April.
Speaking in an interview with the Dallas Morning News, Holt said, “I’m trying to fill the giant shoes of all three that came before me” — referring to Smith and previous Eagles guitarists Don Felder and Bernie Leadon. “It’s some of the most beautiful guitar work ever recorded, in my opinion. It’s the highest honour for me to do it, and it’s my duty to get it right.”
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