Randy Meisner, Founding Bassist Of The Eagles, Has Died
Randy Meisner, the founding bassist for the Eagles, has died. He was 77 years old.
A post was made confirming Meisner’s passing on Thursday (July 27th) to the Eagles’ blog late Wednesday, July 26th. The cause of death was due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).
“Randy was an integral part of The Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the statement read. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”
Meisner joined the Eagles in 1971 and his work can be heard on numerous iconic albums, including 1973’s Desperado and 1974’s On the Border. The bassist got to display his impressive vocal range on 1975’s “Take it to the Limit,” a single Meisner co-wrote with Glenn Frey and Don Henley.
Before the Eagles, Meisner performed with a number of musicians, including The Poor with Allen Kemp and Pat Shanahan; Poco, featuring Richie Furay and Jim Messina; and in Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band, appearing on tracks for artists like James Taylor and Waylon Jennings.
Meisner left the band in 1977 and went on to have a brief solo career, releasing three albums between 1978 and 1982. He continued to have a strained relationship with his former bandmates, especially when they did not invite Meisner to perform on their 1994 reunion tour. He later performed with them in 1998 when the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 2018, he attended the recording of the Eagles’ 2020 live album, Live From the Forum MMXVIII. He would play his final performances in 2020 during Richie Furay’s livestream shows.
Our thoughts go out to Meisner’s family and friends during this difficult time.
