Introduction
After years of quietly filling some of the most legendary shoes in rock history, country music icon Vince Gill has finally broken his silence about his experience with The Eagles. Now 67, Gill has spoken candidly for the first time about what it’s meant to step into the role once held by the late Glenn Frey — a move that was met with both praise and skepticism when it was first announced.
When Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, fans around the world were devastated. As a founding member and voice of many of The Eagles’ greatest hits, Frey was an irreplaceable figure. But in 2017, when the band announced that it would continue with Glenn’s son Deacon Frey and country legend Vince Gill joining the lineup, it raised eyebrows. Could anyone truly fill that space?
For years, Vince Gill remained graciously quiet about the pressure and responsibility that came with the role. But in a recent interview, he finally opened up. “I didn’t take this lightly,” Gill said. “You don’t walk into a band like The Eagles and act like you belong. You walk in with respect, with humility — and with a deep love for the music.”
Gill, a lifelong Eagles fan himself, recalled being stunned when Don Henley asked him to consider joining. “I honestly didn’t think it would happen. I thought they might do one tribute show and be done,” he admitted. But the band had other plans — and they believed that Vince, with his stellar voice, musicianship, and humility, was the right person to help carry on the legacy.
For Vince, the emotional weight of singing Glenn Frey’s parts was immense. “There wasn’t a night on stage that I didn’t think about Glenn — about how much he meant to people, and what an honor it was to sing those songs,” he said. “It was never about replacing him. It was about honoring him.”
Though some fans were hesitant at first, Gill won them over with his sincerity, skill, and reverence for the music. His renditions of classics like “Take It to the Limit,” “New Kid in Town,” and “Lyin’ Eyes” were praised not for imitation, but for their emotional depth and authenticity. He didn’t try to be Glenn Frey — he tried to be himself, inside the music Glenn helped build.
Now, after several years of touring with The Eagles, Gill describes the experience as one of the greatest chapters of his career. “It’s been humbling,” he said. “To be accepted by the band and the fans — that’s not something I take for granted.”
At 67, Vince Gill has nothing left to prove. With countless awards, a rich solo catalog, and now the blessing of The Eagles, he stands as a bridge between country and rock royalty. By finally sharing his thoughts, Gill has offered a heartfelt glimpse into the soul of a man who stepped into history — not for the spotlight, but for the love of the songs.