NEW YORK. Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles and renowned singer known for his contributions to hits like “Take It Easy” and “The Best of My Love,” has passed away at the age of 77, as confirmed by the band on Thursday.
Meisner died on Wednesday night in Los Angeles due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a statement from the Eagles. Over the years, he had faced various health issues and experienced personal tragedy in 2016 when his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, tragically died from an accidental self-inflicted gunshot. Furthermore, Randy Meisner had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with severe alcohol-related problems, as disclosed in court records and comments made during a 2015 hearing where a judge ordered him to receive constant medical care.
The Eagles’ statement expressed Meisner’s importance as an integral part of the band and his significant role in its early success. They particularly praised his impressive vocal range, which is evident in his signature ballad, “Take It to the Limit.”
Details regarding funeral arrangements have not been released yet.
The Eagles evolved their music from country rock to hard rock and enjoyed a streak of hit singles and albums throughout the following decade, starting with “Take It Easy” and continuing with “Desperado,” “Hotel California,” and “Life In the Fast Lane,” among others. Despite criticism from some quarters for being perceived as slick and superficial, the Eagles released two of the best-selling albums of all time, “Hotel California” and “Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975),” which were ranked by the Recording Industry Association of America as the No. 1 seller alongside Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” with sales reaching 38 million.
The band had gone through various lineup changes over the years, with Meisner leaving after the 1976 release of “Hotel California.” His departure was instigated by an incident during a concert in Knoxville, Tennessee, in the summer of 1977, where disagreements with bandmate Glenn Frey led to Meisner’s decision to part ways. He was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit.
Although Meisner’s solo career did not match the immense success of the Eagles, he still enjoyed some hits with songs like “Hearts On Fire” and “Deep Inside My Heart.” He also contributed to records by artists such as Joe Walsh, James Taylor, and Dan Fogelberg. Despite leaving the band, Meisner did join the Eagles’ members past and present in 1998 for their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and performed “Take It Easy” and “Hotel California.”
Randy Meisner leaves behind a remarkable musical legacy, and his high harmonies are cherished by Eagles fans worldwide. His distinctive falsetto voice became an iconic element not only of the Eagles but also of the entire California sound.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
