Randy Meisner, an original member of The Eagles passes away

Randy Meisner: Randy Meisner, an original member of The Eagles, passed away on July 26. The bassist and vocalist, who co-wrote and performed “Take It to the Limit,” passed away at the age of 77.

The band announced Thursday that Meisner perished Wednesday night due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The band says that funeral arrangements are still being finalised.

The Nebraskan, who had previously performed with Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band and the country-rock band Poco, co-founded The Eagles with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon in 1971.

Randy Meisner Death Cause

Meisner typically played bass for the band, but he also composed and performed a number of their timeless compositions. The third single from the band’s 1975 album One of These Nights, “Take It to the Limit,” was Meisner’s biggest success with them.

Meisner left the band following the completion of Hotel California in 1976. He decided against touring to promote the album. “Had I stayed, I could have tripled my income,” Meisner told PEOPLE in 1981.

Meisner reportedly was not invited to the 1994 Eagles reunion. He did perform with the band at their 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony, and he was invited to join them on their global tour in 2013. Due to declining health, he was unable to attend. In 2016, Meisner stated that the band helped pay for his medical expenses.

He was married to Jennifer Lee Barton from 1963 to 1981, with whom he had three daughters, and then to Lana Rae from 1996 until her death in 2016. Lana accidentally shot and murdered herself in March 2016. According to authorities, Meisner was not involved in the incident.

In a 2016 interview with Rock Cellar Magazine, Meisner reflected on the band’s career and how its music endured rock critics.

Meisner’s passing occurs mere weeks after the Eagles’ surviving members announced plans for a farewell tour. On September 7, 2023, their “Long Goodbye” tour will begin. 1976 saw the addition of Henley, Vince Gill, and Timothy B. Schmidt, who replaced Meisner in the Eagles. Son of the late Frey, Deacon Frey, will join them. Frey passed away in 2016 at age 67.

Randy Meisner Cause of Death: What Happened the Eagles bassist?