Randy Meisner, whose soaring voice powered the Eagles massive hit “Take It To the Limit,” died Wednesday night from complications caused by chronic pulmonary disease, a statement from the band said. Meisner was a founder of the band.
Commonly known as the Eagles but with no “the” on album covers, the group started out as Linda Ronstadt’s backup band in early-1970s Los Angeles and would become one of the world’s biggest acts. Frey wrote or co-wrote many of the group’s best-known songs including “Peaceful Easy Feeling,” “Already Gone,” “Take It Easy,” “Lyin’ Eyes” and two of the band’s five No. 1 singles: “New Kid In Town” and “Heartache Tonight.” The RIAA ranks the band ranks fifth for all-time album sales with 101 million, including 13 platinum discs. The 1976 hits compilation Their Greatest Hits (1971-75) for a while was the top-selling album in U.S. history.
“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the band said in the statement. “His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit.’”
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