Randy Meisner Dead: Eagles Founder Cause of Death Revealed

The Eagles
(L-R) Bernie Leadon, Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Timothy Schmit, Don Felder, and Randy Meisner JON LEVY/AFP via Getty Images

Randy Meisner is dead at 77. The Eagles co-founder passed away on Jul. 26, 2023.

The news of Randy Meisner's death came after the Eagles reported the news on their own website.

Randy Meisner Death Details

According to the band's website, the band is sad to report of Randy Meisner's death.

Randy Meisner died at 77 years old on Jul. 26, 2023, in Los Angeles. Randy Meisner's cause of death was attributed to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD).

"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 band said in a statement.

Randy Meisner Music Career

According to Variety, Randy Meisner was a bassist for Poco with Richie Furay and Jim Messina, who were both Buffalo Springfield members. He was also a vocalist for Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band.

In 1971, Randy Meisner co-founded the Eagles with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon. He was instrumental in the production of many of the Eagles' most beloved albums, including their self-titled one, "On The Border," "Desperado," "One of These Nights," and especially "Hotel California."

Notably, Randy Meisner's most popular song is "Take It To The Limit." He also co-wrote the said song.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, before his death, Randy Meisner did not get along well with his bandmates and exited The Eagles in 1977, citing exhaustion as the reason.

At the time, he was replaced by the same musician who replaced him in Poco - Timothy Schmit.

Randy Meisner Death Caused By His Health Issues?

Randy Meisner struggled with various health issues back then, specifically periodic alcohol dependence in the 1960s.

Reportedly, he suffered minor heart attacks in 2004, which eventually resulted in his Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD). Since then, he was forced to stop touring. His last-known public performance was in Florida in 2008.

He also went into comatose at one point in 2013 after being choked on a piece of food. It was revealed that the cost of his prolonged hospitalization was shouldered by his former Eagles bandmates.

According to The Mayo Clinic, Randy Meisner's cause of death, which is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease, is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.

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