Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith announces retirement
The 72-year-old's retirement announcement comes shortly after he was diagnosed with Parkinsonism.
Eagles guitarist Steuart Smith is hanging up his mic after more than two decades with the rock band.
The musician has announced that he will be leaving the band due to his Parkinsonism diagnosis.
"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 a statement shared with Variety.
According to the Parkinson's Foundation, "Parkinsonism is a set of movement symptoms associated with Parkinson’s disease and other disorders. These include slow movements plus one or more of the following: stiffness, walking difficulties, balance problems and tremors."
Smith says "it's been a great quarter of a century" with the band, and he had hoped to continue until the end of 2025.
"I must now do what’s best for all concerned."
The 72-year-old began touring with the band in 2001 and joined the Eagles during their 2024 concerts at the Sphere in Las Vegas.
Due to an overwhelming demand from fans, additional shows were added to the band's LA residency, which runs until April 2025.
Smith performed with the band from September, when the first shows were held, until December when they took a break for the holidays.
However, when the Eagles returned to the Sphere in January, he was replaced by session guitarist Chris Holt.
Does anyone know why Chris Holt has replaced Steuart Smith with Eagles at @SphereVegas? Is Steuart not well?
— Phil’s Classic Rock (@PhilHolbrook1) January 18, 2025
Thanks! pic.twitter.com/PIDx0yGjNo
The Eagles are known for hit songs such as 'Hotel California', 'Desperado', 'Take it Easy', and 'Heartache Tonight'.
The band last released a full-length album nearly 18 years ago. Their seventh studio album, 'Long Road Out of Eden', debuted in October 2007. The album's singles, 'Busy Being Fabulous' and 'How Long', were well received by both fans and critics.
Smith co-wrote several songs on the album. He is also credited as a co-producer.
Founding member Don Henley says the Eagles will be "forever grateful for the extraordinary talents" Smith brought to their live performances.
"Steuart will be greatly missed, but he will always be a part of our musical family."
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Main image credit: YouTube/ Eagles