Detroit Radio: Hometown Names Glenn Frey Drive

A section of Willis Avenue that runs near the school where Eagles co-founder Glenn Frey played his first high school dances has been renamed in the late rock legend’s memory.

The Royal Oak school board voted unanimously Thursday to approve a request coordinated by a local radio station to honor Frey, who died Jan. 18 at the age of 67, by renaming the section of the street Glenn Frey Drive.

Glenn Frey Drive is a short section along the south side of Royal Oak Middle school — formerly Frey’s alma mater, Dondero High School — between N. West Street and N. Washington Avenue.
WCSX 94.7 FM started the drive to have the street renamed for Frey, who graduated from Dondero in 1966 and played high school dances there with a group called The Subterraneans before moving to California in the 1970s and co-founding the legendary rock band.

Morning personality Jim O’Brien said the radio campaign drew support from around the word on social media, including tweets from Joe Walsh and Bob Seger, according to Patch.com.

The new street will be unveiled at a ceremony at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 18 in front of Royal Oak Middle School.

The Royal Oak-born, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer will be honored at Monday’s Grammy Awards. Remaining members of the Eagles — Don Henley, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmit and Bernie Leadon — will be joined by Jackson Browne during a tribute Frey, producers announced this week.

The Grammy Awards will be broadcast live on the CBS Television Network at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, Feb. 15.