Eagles guitarist Glenn Frey has died at the age of 67, the band has announced.

He died in New York City on Monday from complications arising from rheumatoid arthritis, colitis and pneumonia.

"Words can neither describe our sorrow, nor our love and respect for all that he has given to us," his family and fellow band members said.

The Eagles were one of the most successful bands of the 1970s, with multiple hit singles including Hotel California, in 1976.

Frey co-founded the Eagles in 1971 with Don Henley, Bernie Leadon and Randy Meisner.

He co-wrote Hotel California with Henley, and composed a number of the band's biggest songs on his own, including Heartache Tonight and Lyin' Eyes.

"He was like a brother to me; we were family, and like most families, there was some dysfunction," Henley said in a statement.

"But, the bond we forged 45 years ago was never broken, even during the 14 years that the Eagles were dissolved."

After the Eagles' acrimonious split in 1980, Frey enjoyed success as a solo artist, most notably with The Heat is On, recorded for the 1984 film Beverly Hills Cop.

The band reunited in 1994 and became a hugely popular touring act.

(BBC)