Former Eagles bassist Randy Meisner dead at 77

Original Eagles bassist Randy Meisner has died at the age of 77.

Meisner’s death was announced in a statement by his former band, who revealed that he passed away in Los Angeles on Wednesday July 26 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. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit,’” said the band.

Meisner played on the band’s first five albums, co-writing and taking lead vocals on several songs including Most Of Us Are Sad, Certain Kind Of Fool, Midnight Flyer and the Top 5 US hit Take It To The Limit, which saw Meisner famously hitting a sustained high note.

Born in Nebraska in 1946, Meisner’s early bands included The Dynamics and The Poor, opening for Jimi Hendrix in New York with the latter. After moving to Los Angeles, he co-founded pioneering country rockers Poco, playing on their first album but quitting before it was released.

In 1971, he was recruited to play in country singer Linda Ronstadt’s backing band, where he met Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon. The four musicians formed the Eagles later the same year.

As well as playing bass on Eagles (1972), Desperado (1973), On The Border (1974), One Of These Nights (1975) and Hotel California (1976), Meisner’s high harmonies helped give the band its distinctive sound.

Meisner left the Eagles in 1977, due to a combination of ill health and a reluctance to be in the spotlight. He reunited with the band when they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 1998.

Source: loudersound.com