Condolences: Eagles’ Co-Founder Randy Meisner
• Randy Meisner, co-founding member of the Eagles, died Wednesday, July 26 in Los Angeles due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD). He was 77. The news of Meisner’s passing was shared in a statement on The Eagles’ website.
Meisner, along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon, formed the Eagles in 1971. Meisner contributed to the band’s most beloved classic albums, including their debut release, Eagles, followed by Desperado, On The Border, One of These Nights, and their seminal album, Hotel California.
The band’s statement continued, “Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.'”
Prior to joining the Eagles, Meisner was the original bass player for pioneering Country-Rock group Poco. Ironically, when Meisner left The Eagles in 1977 he was replaced by the same musician who had succeeded him in Poco, Timothy B. Schmit. Meisner went on to release a few solo albums including his self-titled set in 1978 and 1980’s One More Song.
Meisner was excluded from the Eagles’ reunion tour in 1994 but appeared with them in 1998 in New York when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was also invited by the Eagles to take part in their History of the Eagles world tour in 2013 but was unable to join them due to his ongoing health issues. Funeral arrangements are pending. Variety has more details about Meisner’s career.
