Randy Meisner, founding Eagles bassist and the sky-high voice behind the band’s 1976 Billboard Sizzling 100 high 5 hit “Take It to the Restrict,” has died at age 77, the band introduced Thursday (July 27).
Meisner died Wednesday night time on account of issues from persistent obstructive pulmonary illness, in line with an announcement from the band.
“Randy was an integral a part of the Eagles and instrumental within the early success of the band,” the band mentioned within the assertion. “His vocal vary was astonishing, as is obvious on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Restrict.’”
Alongside Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon, Meisner — born in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska, in 1946 — was a founding member of the Eagles in 1971. Earlier than forming the band, he performed with Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band and was the unique bass participant for country-rock group Poco within the late Sixties.
Meisner was with the Eagles from their self-titled 1972 debut album by way of 1976’s Lodge California, earlier than quitting the group in 1977. (He was changed by Timothy B. Schmit, who had additionally succeeded Meisner in Poco when he had departed the group to kind the Eagles.)
The majority of the Eagles’ vocal duties went to Henley and Frey, however Meisner sang lead on one of many group’s most enduring hits: “Take It to the Restrict,” from the 1975 album Considered one of These Nights, peaked at No. 4 on the Sizzling 100 in 1976 and spent 23 weeks on the chart — the band’s longest-charting hit on the tally. The track is remembered for Meisner’s lofty vocals, particularly towards the top of the track when his “aaaahs!” rise to new heights.
Meisner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame with the Eagles in 1998.
Tragedy struck Meisner’s private life in 2016 when his spouse, Lana Rae Meisner, was fatally shot within the couple’s Los Angeles dwelling after an “unintentional discharge of a firearm,” in line with the Los Angeles Police Division.
In keeping with the Eagles’ assertion, funeral preparations are pending for Meisner.
