On Wednesday night (7.26,) Randy Meisner, the Eagles founding member passed away in Los Angeles due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He was 77 years old.
The official announcement posted on the iconic group’s website read:
“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). “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…” “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’.”
Along with Don Felder, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon,Meisner formed the band in the early 1970s and quit the group in 1977. He was subsequently replaced by Timothy B. Schmit, the same musician who’d taken his place on bass when the musician had left his previous group Poco. Throughout his career, Randy released a number of solo LPs, including a self-titled record in 1978 and ‘One More Song’ in 1980.
Though Meisner wasn’t part of the ‘Desperado’ hitmakers’ 1994 reunion tour, he did appear beside his former bandmates in 1998 when the legendary rockers were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where they performed ‘Hotel California’ and ‘Take It Easy’.
He was invited to take part in the ‘History of the Eagles’ world tour in 2013 but declined due to his health issues. In 2015, a judge ordered Randy to receive constant medical care after he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, alongside court records that showed he had severe alcohol issues.
The following year, his wife Lana Rae Meisner accidentally shot and killed herself.
According to the statement, the musician’s funeral details are “pending”.
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Author: Al Denté
Photo: jeaneem