Meisner was born in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, on March 3, 1946. He began his musical career in the early 1960s, playing in various bands in the Midwest. In 1968, he joined Poco, a country-rock band that also featured future Eagles members Bernie Leadon and Timothy B. Schmit.Meisner left Poco in 1971 to join the Eagles, where he quickly became one of the band’s most popular members. He sang lead vocals on such classic Eagles songs as “Take It to the Limit,” “Desperado,” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling.”
Meisner left the Eagles in 1977, citing “exhaustion.” He went on to release several solo albums and work with various other bands, including Black Tie, Meisner, Swan & Rich, and the Roberts-Meisner Band.
Meisner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Eagles in 1998. He continued to perform and record until his death.
Meisner is survived by his three children, Dana, Heather, and Eric; his two grandchildren; and his former wife, Sandi.
A private funeral service will be held. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Randy Meisner Scholarship Fund at the University of Nebraska-Kearney.
Randy Meisner was a talented musician and a unique voice in the world of rock and roll. His contributions to the Eagles will be remembered for generations to come.
