Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Randy Meisner, the bassist whose soaring tenor helped elevate some of the greatest hits ever put out by the Eagles, died on Wednesday night in Los Angeles, the band announced. He was 77.
Meisner died of complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, according to a statement on the Eagles’ website. “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,’” the group said.
Don Felder, who joined the Eagles as lead guitarist in 1974, wrote in a social media tribute that Meisner had been “one of the nicest, sweetest, most talented, and funniest guys I’ve ever known. It breaks my heart to hear of his passing. His voice stirred millions of souls every time he sang Take It To The Limit.”