Randy Meisner, singer, bassist and co-founder of the American rock band The Eagles, died at the age of 77 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The news was made known through a statement published on the official website of his former band, which specified that the retired musician’s death had occurred on the night of July 26. “Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and was instrumental in the band’s early success. His vocal range was astonishing, as evidenced by his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit,'” the newsletter reads.
The Eagles were born in the city of Los Angeles in 1971 formed by Meisner, Glenn Frey (1948-2016), Don Henley and Bernie Leadon. Nine years later the band broke up due to disagreements and drug problems. By then they had already created their biggest hits like 1971’s “Take it easy”, and in 1976 they released “Hotel California”, one of the most popular songs in rock history.
The self-titled album was listed by Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. Meisner, who had previously been in the band Poco, left the group in 1977 to continue his solo career and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit. One of Meisner’s biggest hits in his solo career was 1981’s “Hearts on Fire”.
In 2016, the musician hit a rough patch after his wife Lana Rae Meisner was accidentally shot to death while she was moving a shotgun inside their Los Angeles home. The Eagles, currently consisting of Henley, B. Schmit, Vince Gill, Joe Walsh and Deacon Frey, recently announced their farewell tour “The Long Goodbye” after 52 years together.