His family - wife Cindy and children Taylor, Deacon and Otis - announced his passing in a joint statement with the Eagles. Musicians including Slipknot's Corey Taylor, Ryan Adams, Huey Lewis, Scott Ian of Anthrax and Judas Priest's Richie Faulkner have expressed their grief at the news of his death.

And Henley has offered his own, personal, tribute to a man he describes as "funny, bullheaded, mercurial, generous, deeply talented and driven." Henley adds: "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. He had an encyclopaedic knowledge of popular music and a work ethic that wouldn't quit."

He continues: "He loved his wife and kids more than anything. We are all in a state of shock, disbelief and profound sorrow. We brought our two-year History Of The Eagles Tour to a triumphant close at the end of July and now he is gone.