The Eagles are flying without touring guitarist Steuart Smith, who is stepping away from the rock band because of health issues. “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,” the 72-year-old musician said Monday in a statement to The Times . The musician, who has toured with the band since 2001, said that it’s been “a great quarter of a century” and, although he hoped to be able to finish out this year with the band, he said he “must now do what’s best for all concerned.
” Parkinsonism is not the same as Parkinson’s disease, but the two are often mistaken for each other. Parkinsonism refers to several conditions — including Parkinson’s disease — that have similar symptoms and features but different causes, according to the Cleveland Clinic . Symptoms can include slow movements along with stiffness, walking and balance issues and/or tremor.
Parkinsonism disorders can also share non-movement symptoms, such as mood and thinking changes, and speech problems and sleep disturbances, the clinic said. (Parkinson’s disease, which is caused by a loss of the neurotransmitter dopamine, makes up about 80% of all cases of Parkinsonism.) Smith was there when the “Hotel California” hitmakers launched their Las Vegas residency at the Sphere in September.
But when the band resumed its residency at the orb-shape.
