Earlier this evening it was announced that The Eagles’ founding member and original bassist, Randy Meisner, died at age 77. The reason was COPD.
Meisner played the bass on all the foundational hits by The Eagles from 1971 to 1977. He wrote and sang the hit song, “Take it to the Limit.” His harmonies are heard on all the records from “Take it Easy” through “Hotel California.” He was replaced at that point by Timothy B. Schmidt. But listen, you could live on the royalties pretty well from Eagles records. Their Greatest Hits from that period is in a dead heat with Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” for biggest selling album of all time.
Meisner really lived a rock and roll life, too. He had many fallings out with the Eagles, Poco, and other groups and musicians. His second wife died in 2016 when a gun she was moving in a hall closet went off by accident and killed her.
The Eagles recently announced a final tour, albeit without Glenn Frey. Meisner hadn’t been with the band in decades, but he left his mark. Just listen to his bass on “One of these Nights.” He’s written into rock history.
