Randy Meisner’s Passing
Randy Meisner, one of the founding members of the Eagles, passed away at the age of 77, as announced by the band on Thursday.
Cause of Death
Meisner died from complications related to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Los Angeles on Wednesday night, according to the band’s statement.
Celebrating Meisner’s Musical Legacy
Lauded as “the sweetest man in the music business” by former bandmate Don Felder, Meisner, the bassist, contributed his high harmonies to fan favorites like ‘Take It Easy’ and ‘The Best of My Love’. His spotlight moment came with the waltz-time ballad ‘Take It to the Limit’.
Personal Tragedy and Health Challenges
In recent years, Meisner faced numerous health issues and endured personal tragedy in 2016 when his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, accidentally shot herself and passed away.
The Birth of The Eagles
The early 1970s saw Meisner team up with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon to form the Eagles, an iconic Los Angeles band that would become one of the most popular acts in history. The Eagles’ statement highlighted Meisner’s role, saying, “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.”
The Eagles’ Musical Journey
The Eagles’ music evolved from country rock to hard rock, resulting in a succession of hit singles and albums over the following decade. These include ‘Take It Easy’, ‘Desperado’, ‘Hotel California’, and ‘Life in the Fast Lane’, among others. Despite some critics labelling their music as slick and superficial, the Eagles released two of the most popular albums of all time: ‘Hotel California’ and ‘Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)’.
Meisner’s Departure from the Eagles
Meisner’s tenure with the Eagles continued until the 1976 release of ‘Hotel California’, the band’s most acclaimed record, after which he soon left the band. His replacement, Timothy B Schmit, stayed with the group over the following decades, along with Henley, Joe Walsh, and Frey, who passed away in 2016.
Meisner’s Solo Career and Personal Life
As a solo artist, Meisner didn’t reach the same heights as the Eagles, but he enjoyed hits with ‘Hearts on Fire’ and ‘Deep Inside My Heart’, and contributed to records by artists such as Walsh, James Taylor, and Dan Fogelberg, among others. Married twice, Meisner had three children.
From Local Bands to the Eagles
Meisner’s journey in the music industry was a long and winding one. He played in local bands as a teenager and by the end of the 1960s had moved to California and joined a country rock group, Poco, along with Richie Furay and Jimmy Messina. He would eventually leave Poco due to creative differences and would later join the Eagles, contributing significantly to their success.
