- Culture
- 28 Jul 23
Eagles co-founder, bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner died in his Los Angeles home yesterday at the age of 77.
Eagles co-founder and bassist Randy Meisner died in his Los Angeles home on July 26 at the age of 77 of complications from COPD, according to the Eagles official website.
The statement credited Meisner not only for his talent, but also for innovations he brought to the genre, saying "As the original bass player for the pioneering country-rock group, Poco, Randy was at the forefront of the musical revolution that began in Los Angeles, in the late 1960s."
The statement continued, “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.’”
Meisner left the Eagles in 1977, three years before their famously bitter split, to pursue a solo career. Randy Meisner, his first solo album, featured contributions from the Wilson sisters of the band Heart. Former Eagles bandmates Don Henley and Glenn Frey both sang backing on his 1980 album, One More Song.
Advertisement
Meisner also continued performing live, touring with his band Randy Meisner and the Silverados, before joining Black Tie in 1985 with Jimmy Griffin and Billy Swan.
Meisner was not invited to participate, when the Eagles reunited for their "Hell Freezes Over" tour in 1994, but he was present for the band's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame four years later.
He was invited to join the next Eagles reunion tour in 2013, but was unable to perform due to health issues.
Tributes have begun to pour in from celebrities and everyday fans alike.
Jamie Lee Curtis remarked in a Facebook post, "The Eagles were A BIG part of the soundtrack of my life... Another angel voice gone.
Johnny Brady, Simon Casey, Nigel Connell and the Sheerin Family Band performed 'Take it to the Limit' and other Eagles songs during their 2020 tribute performance on TG4.