Randy Meisner, Co-Founder of Rock Band Eagles, Dies at 77
28 July 2023, 08:19 BST
Image source, Getty Images
Randy Meisner, the esteemed bassist and singer who helped co-found the iconic rock band Eagles, has passed away at the age of 77. Meisner played a crucial role in shaping the band’s sound and was known for his stunning vocal range and harmonies.
Meisner’s contributions to Eagles are immeasurable. He took lead vocals on the hit track “Take It To The Limit,” which he also co-wrote. His lush high harmonies can be heard on classics like “Hotel California” and “The Best of My Love.”
The band expressed their sadness over Meisner’s passing, stating, “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.'” Eagles is one of the most successful bands in history, having sold over 150 million albums worldwide. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Fellow rock musician Randy Bachman of Bachman Turner Overdrive paid tribute to Meisner, saying, “Sorry to hear Eagles musician Randy Meisner has left us. He was an incredible singer, songwriter, and bassist. Peace to his friends and family.”
Born in Nebraska in 1946, Meisner later moved to California and played with various artists, including Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band and Poco. He then co-founded Eagles alongside Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon, developing the country-tinged, laid-back West Coast pop-rock sound that defined the early 1970s.
Meisner’s memorable performance on the melancholic ballad “Take It to the Limit” showcased his talents as a bass player and singer. The song was later covered by artists such as Etta James, Willie Nelson, and Waylon Jennings.
After six years with Eagles, Meisner left the group due to exhaustion and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit. Although he was excluded from their reunion tour in 1994, Meisner joined the band once again in 1998 for their Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in New York City.
In 2013, Meisner declined an offer to permanently rejoin the band for a world tour due to his declining health. His later life was marked by mental health struggles, addiction, and domestic issues.
As a solo artist, Meisner had several hits, including “Hearts on Fire” and “Deep Inside My Heart.” He also played on records by other notable musicians, such as James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, and fellow Eagles member Joe Walsh.
Meisner’s contributions to Eagles cannot be understated. The band released two of the most beloved albums of all time, “Hotel California” and “Greatest Hits,” during his time with them.
Reflecting on his time with the band, Meisner once said, “The purpose of the whole Eagles thing to me was that combination and the chemistry that made all the harmonies just sound perfect.”
Following the death of guitarist Glenn Frey in 2016, Don Henley stated that Eagles would never perform again. However, the band is set to embark on a final tour starting this September in New York.