Eagles Guitarist Steuart Smith Departs the Group After Devastating Diagnosis

After playing in the Eagles’ live lineup for almost 25 years, longtime guitarist Steuart Smith left the band due to a tragic medical prognosis.

Smith said in a statement, “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” (quote via Ultimate Classic Rock).

“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.”

“Parkinsonism is a term used to describe a collection of movement symptoms associated with several conditions including Parkinson’s disease (PD),” according to the Parkinson’s Foundation website. Slow movements, stiffness, trouble walking and balancing, and/or tremor are some of these symptoms. Parkinsonian illnesses can share non-movement symptoms such mood and thought changes, speech issues, and sleep disruptions in addition to movement symptoms.

The Eagles announced the lineup change live on stage as they returned to the stage on January 17 to start their residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

In the Instagram video below, Eagles coach Don Henley introduced fans to guitarist Chris Holt, who is located in Dallas:

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Steuart Smith has a vast list of country affiliations. Dolly Parton, Rona Cash, Wynonna Judd, Trisha Yearwood, Rodney Crowell, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Vince Gill, and others have collaborated with him.

He has never been recognized as a full-fledged member of the Eagles, although he started performing with them as a touring member in 2001 when Don Felder was sacked.

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Additionally, Smith collaborated with Henley on his 2015 country solo album, Cass County. When Henley spoke to Ultimate Classic Rock to promote that record, he described Smith as “one of the best musicians I’ve ever worked with in my life.”

“He’s just an incredibly valuable asset to have, because of his astonishing ability to play just about anything,” Henley exclaimed. “He deserves an enormous amount of credit for the way this album turned out.”

The resume of Smith’s replacement is as remarkable. Playing with Bob Dylan, Ringo Starr, James Taylor, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks, the Doobie Brothers, and others is listed on Chris Holt’s official website. His most recent performance was in Dirty Knobs, starring former Heartbreaker Mike Campbell.

As of right now, the Eagles’ Sphere residency will end in April 2025.

Taste of Country’s senior writer and editor is Sterling Whitaker. He covers Yellowstone and related exhibits like 1883 and 1923, and he concentrates on once-lebrity real estate. Whitaker is renowned for his in-depth interviews with country giants such as Don Henley, Rodney Crowell, Trace Adkins, Ronnie Milsap, Ricky Skaggs, and others. He has also interviewed cast members such as Cole Hauser, Kelly Reilly, Sam Elliott, and Harrison Ford.

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