"Randy Meisner, The Eagles' Founding Member & 'Take It to the Limit' Singer, Sadly Passes Away"

Randy Meisner, founding member of the Eagles, dies at 77.

Randy Meisner, one of the founding members of the Eagles, has passed away at the age of 77. Meisner was known for his contributions to the band's harmonies and his powerful vocals on songs like "Take It Easy" and "The Best of My Love." He also took the lead on the waltz-time ballad, "Take It to the Limit." The Eagles announced that Meisner died in Los Angeles on Wednesday night due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

In recent years, Meisner had faced numerous health issues and personal tragedy. In 2016, his wife accidentally shot herself and died. Meisner had also been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and struggled with alcoholism, as revealed in court records and during a 2015 hearing. A judge had ordered him to receive constant medical care.

Former bandmate Don Felder described Meisner as "the sweetest man in the music business." Meisner joined Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon in the early 1970s to form the Eagles, a quintessential Los Angeles band that became one of the most popular acts in history. The band's statement acknowledged Meisner's integral role in their early success and praised his astonishing vocal range, particularly evident in his signature ballad, "Take It to the Limit."

The Eagles, initially known for their country rock sound, transitioned to hard rock and achieved great success with hit singles and albums like "Desperado," "Hotel California," and "Life In the Fast Lane." Despite criticism from some critics who considered them slick and superficial, the Eagles released two of the best-selling albums of all time: "Hotel California" and "Their Greatest Hits (1971-1975)." The latter album sold 38 million copies, making it the No. 1 seller according to the Recording Industry Association of America, alongside Michael Jackson's "Thriller."

The band underwent several lineup changes over the years. Leadon, a bluegrass picker, left after the 1975 album "One of These Nights" due to his dissatisfaction with the new sound. He was replaced by rock guitarist Joe Walsh. Meisner stayed with the group until the release of "Hotel California" in 1976, their most acclaimed record. However, he left soon after due to personal reasons and disagreements with Frey. Timothy B. Schmit replaced Meisner and remained with the band until their breakup in 1980. The Eagles reunited in 1994 with Schmit and continued to tour.

As a solo artist, Meisner didn't achieve the same level of success as the Eagles, but he had hits with songs like "Hearts On Fire" and "Deep Inside My Heart." He also played on records by Walsh, James Taylor, and Dan Fogelberg. Meisner joined his former and current bandmates in 1998 when the Eagles were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He performed with them during the ceremony.

Meisner's musical journey began in his teenage years when he played in local bands. In the late 1960s, he moved to California and joined a country rock group called Poco. He later joined the Eagles after befriending Henley and Frey while performing in Linda Ronstadt's band.

Meisner's falsetto voice became synonymous with the Eagles and the California sound. His distinctive vocals were a defining element of the band's harmonies. He once expressed his appreciation for the chemistry and harmonies that made their records sound perfect. Meisner's legacy as a talented musician and integral member of the Eagles will continue to be celebrated in the world of music.

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