Randy Meisner, Eagles Founding Member, Dead at 77

The bassist co-wrote and sang one of the band's biggest hits, 'Take It to the Limit'

Transcript

00:00 Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles, has died.

00:03 The band announced Thursday that the bassist and singer died Wednesday night

00:07 due to complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD.

00:12 In a brief statement, they remembered Meisner as an integral part of the Eagles

00:16 and instrumental in the early success of the band,

00:18 and went on to praise his vocal range on hits such as "Take It to the Limit."

00:23 ♪ Take it to the limit one more time ♪

00:31 The Nebraska native co-founded the band in 1971 with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Ludden.

00:36 He left the band after they recorded "Hotel California" in 1976.

00:41 ♪ Welcome to the Hotel California ♪

00:47 And chose to skip the tour to promote the record.

00:49 He told People in 1981 that he could have tripled his money if he stayed,

00:54 but explained, quote, "I was just tired of the touring.

00:56 It's a crazy life that you live at twice the normal speed.

00:59 When it got to the point of sanity or money, I thought, 'I'd rather have sanity.'"

01:04 While the Eagles reunited in 1994, Meisner was reportedly not invited.

01:09 He did perform with the band at their 1998 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony

01:13 and was invited to join their 2013 world tour,

01:16 though he didn't attend due to his declining health.

01:19 Randy Meisner was 77 years old.