Eagles, Poco Founding Bassist Randy Meisner Dead At 77

Randy Meisner, founding member of Eagles as well as groundbreaking country rock band Poco, has died aged 77 in Los Angeles from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, according to a statement posted to the Eagles website.

“The Eagles are sad to report that founding member, bassist, and vocalist, Randy Meisner, passed away last night (July 26) in Los Angeles at age 77, due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD),” the statement begins.

Meisner, Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon formed Eagles in 1971, after being recruited to play with Linda Ronstadt. Meisner contributed several of the band’s most beloved albums including Eagles, Desperado, On The Border, One of These Nights, and Hotel California. and co-wrote and sang the band’s hit “Take It to the Limit.”

Meisner was also the original bass player for Poco, joining former Buffalo Springfield members Richie Furay and Jim Messina in the band in 1968, as well as a member of Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band.

He was recruited by Ronstadt’s manager, John Boylan, to join her backing band which morphed into the Eagles, and was inducted with them into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit,’” said the Eagles.

Randy was born on March 8, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Funeral arrangements are pending.