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Thursday, July 27, 2023

R.I.P. Randy Meisner (1946 - 2023)

Randy Meisner

Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles who added high harmonies to such favourites as Take It Easy and The Best of My Love and stepped out front for the waltz-time ballad Take It to the Limit, has died, the band said Thursday.

Meisner died Wednesday night in Los Angeles of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the Eagles said in a statement. He was 77.

Randy Meisner was a musician and singer-songwriter best known as one of the founding members of the iconic American rock band, the Eagles. He was born on March 8, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, USA.

Meisner's musical journey began in the 1960s when he was part of several local bands, including The Dynamics and The Poor. In 1968, he joined the country-rock band Poco, which was one of the pioneering groups in blending rock and country elements. During his time with Poco, Meisner contributed his bass guitar skills and vocals to their early albums.

However, it was in 1971 that Meisner became a household name in the music industry. He joined forces with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon to form the Eagles. As the band's bassist and one of the lead vocalists, Meisner played a significant role in shaping the Eagles' distinctive sound.

Throughout the 1970s, the Eagles achieved massive commercial success with hit songs like "Take It Easy," "Peaceful Easy Feeling," "One of These Nights," and "Take It to the Limit." Their album "Hotel California" (1976) remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

Despite the band's success, Meisner faced personal struggles and inner conflicts. He had a fear of flying, which made touring challenging for him, given the Eagles' extensive travel schedule. This, coupled with tensions within the band, led to Meisner leaving the Eagles in 1977.

After his departure from the Eagles, Meisner pursued a solo career and released a self-titled album in 1982. Although his solo work received some positive reviews, he didn't attain the same level of success as he did with the Eagles.

Over the years, Randy Meisner has faced personal hardships, including legal issues and health problems. Tragically, he also experienced the untimely deaths of his wife, Lana Rae, in 2016 and his son, Dana, in 2017.

Throughout his career, Meisner's melodic voice and bass playing contributed significantly to the Eagles' harmonious and timeless sound. 

Source: Some or all of the content was generated using an AI language model

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