BY DIGITAL WAX MEDIA STAFF

 

Guitarist Steuart Smith, a touring member of legendary rock band the Eagles, has announced he will be stepping down after more than two decades in the role in the wake of a medical diagnosis.

 

The Baltimore-born producer and multi-instrumentalist made a name early in his career working with high-profile country music acts such as Rosanne Cash, Dolly Parton, and current Eagles member, Vince Gill, among others. In 2001 he would be asked to join the Eagles as a touring member following the dismissal of guitarist Don Felder, with whom the band had experienced animosity dating back to the late 1970s.

 

In a statement this week, Smith has confirmed his intention to step away from the legendary classic rock group due to medical issues stemming an apparent Parkinson’s diagnosis. The 72-year old musician participated in the band’s 2024 run of shows as part of  “The Long Goodbye Tour,” which included shows in North America as well as a residency in Las Vegas’ “Sphere” venue which is currently still underway.

 

As implied by its designation, the tour was marketed as the band’s final run of touring dates, though it is unclear if the group will continue to perform in a residency-style capacity as has been a growing trend for classic-era bands as of late. Audiences took note of the absence of Smith in the group’s 2025 Sphere performances, which featured Dallas-based multi-instrumentalist Chris Holt filling in due to Smith’s medical issues.

 

Longtime band members offered gracious praise for the contributions of Smith during his time with the band, which saw him stepping into the role of previous member Don Felder within the band. This included the replication of Felder’s sharpshooter lead guitar style in some of the group’s most iconic solo sections for tracks such as “Already Gone” and “Hotel California,” the latter a fan-favorite which involves multiple switches between six-string lead and 12-string rhythm facilitated by a double-necked guitar, as well as harmonic interplay with longtime guitarist Joe Walsh for the tune’s outro section.

 

Smith was able to make his own imprint in the Eagles discography with the 2007 release of Long Road Out of Eden, the sole full-length album of original material to be produced by the band following its initial disbandment following the release of 1979’s The Long Run. Smith received six co-writing credits on Long Road Out of Eden and is credited with guitar, keyboards, and mandolin on the album.

 

The introduction of Holt in the “Felder” role within the band but the latest lineup change in what has become a revolving door-roster of sorts in recent years. Founding member and core songwriter Glenn Frey passed away in 2016, leading to his son Deacon Frey stepping in a year later along with country music legend Vince Gill. Original member, guitarist and banjo-player Bernie Leadon a rejoined the group in 2013 and would remain as a member until 2016.

 

As it stands today, only three members remain from the band’s original 1970s run: guitarist Joe Walsh of James Gang and solo fame who joined the group in 1975, bassist/vocalist Timothy B. Schmit formerly of Poco who joined the band in 1977 following the departure of original bassist Randy Meisner, and drummer/vocalist and core songwriter Don Henley, the only remaining original member of the group.

 

Upcoming shows scheduled as part of the Eagles’ ongoing 2025 “Sphere” residence in Las Vegas, including recently announced April dates reportedly added due to high demand, are as follows:

 

February 14, 2025

February 15, 2025

February 21, 2025

February 22, 2025

March 7, 2025

March 8, 2025

March 14, 2025

March 15, 2025

April 4, 2025

April 5, 2025

April 11, 2025

April 12, 2025

 

Photo: Jeffrey D. Green – Public Domain