LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Randy Meisner, the Eagles' co-founding bassist whose soaring voice fueled their smash single 'Take It To The Limit,' died on Wednesday night, July 26. He was 77.
Randy previously worked with Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band and was the original bass player for the country-rock band Poco in the late 1960s. Randy was born on March 8, 1946, in Scottsdale, Arizona, and was a member of the Eagles from their self-titled 1972 debut album through 1976's 'Hotel California,' until leaving the group in 1977. Timothy B. Schmit took his position, having already succeeded Meisner in Poco after he departed to establish the Eagles. The Eagles, although with no "the" on record covers, began as Linda Ronstadt's support band in early-1970s Los Angeles, and would go on to become one of the world's largest groups, with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon.
How did Randy Meisner die?
Randy, the Eagles' former vocalist, and co-founding member, died on July 26 in Los Angeles from complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a statement posted on the band's website. He was 77.
"The Eagles are sad to report that founding member, bassist, and vocalist, Randy Meisner, passed away last night (July 26) in Los Angeles at age 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD)," says the band's official statement. The post also contained the Eagles' reminiscence, "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.’"
Randy's funeral plans are still being finalized, according to the Eagles' statement.
Why did Randy Meisner leave the Eagles?
Randy left the Eagles when their single 'Take It to the Limit' became popular. Randy co-wrote the 1975 hit, which became one of the band's most remembered songs. Furthermore, Randy's falsetto vocals were so famous that the song became a show-stopper. Unfortunately, Randy did not enjoy being the center of attention, and he got stage fright.
Randy said in an interview with Rolling Stone, "I was always kind of shy. They wanted me to stand in the middle of the stage to sing ‘Take It to the Limit,’ but I liked to be out of the spotlight."
Tensions remained high when the band released 'Hotel California' in 1976. The record's rapid popularity kept the Eagles on the road for longer periods of time, and the tour began to have an effect on Randy's health. His marriage was deteriorating at the moment, and he began to grapple with road-life temptations. Randy's temper flared in 1977 at a concert in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Randy described the incident in the 2004 Eagles biography 'To the Limit: The Untold Story of the Eagles'. “My ulcer was starting to act up, and I had a bad case of the flu as well. Still, we all sounded great on stage, the audience loved the show, and we were being called back for another encore. ‘No way,’ I said. I was too sick and generally fed up. I decided I wasn’t going back out.”
Randy's rejection sparked a brawl among the band members, with fists thrown. Randy played the band's final few tour performances as an outsider, and he departed the Eagles at the end of the tour. When the Eagles were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998, he rejoined them. Randy forge his own route and went on to have a successful solo and group recording career.
