ENTERTAINMENT
Eagles co-founder Randy Meisner dies: what is the cause of death?
Meisner is perhaps best known for singing the lead vocals on Eagles’ 1975 hit “Take It to the Limit”.
Legendary rock band Eagles have announced the death of founding member, bassist and vocalist Randy Meisner at the age of 77.
“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)”, read a statement posted by the band on their official website.
“As the original bass player for the pioneering country-rock group, Poco, Randy was at the forefront of the musical revolution that began in Los Angeles, in the late 1960s”, the statement continues.
Meisner’s “instrumental” role in Eagles’ success
In 1971, Meisner, along with Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon, formed the Eagles and contributed to the band’s albums, Eagles, Desperado, On The Border, One of These Nights and Hotel California. “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 current band members.
As part of Eagles, Meisner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.
Meisner’s musical career
Born Randy Herman Meisner on 8 March 1946 in Nebraska, the American musician, singer, guitarist, bassist and composer was also part of the original line-up of country rock band Poco. Meisner was perhaps best known for co-writing and providing the lead vocals on “Take It to the Limit”, which reached number four on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 in 1975.
Meisner also joined Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band as vocalist and bassist in 1969 after he had already begun performing with Poco (1968) and before forming Eagles.
What is Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease (COPD)?
As described by the World Health Organisation (WHO), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease “is a common lung disease causing restricted airflow and breathing problems. It is sometimes called emphysema or chronic bronchitis. In people with COPD, the lungs can get damaged or clogged with phlegm”.
The WHO state that there is no cure for COPD but symptoms can improve by avoiding smoking and exposure to air pollution, or by getting vaccines to prevent infections, along with taking certain medications and oxygen.