Tragedy as Eagles founding member Randy Meisner dies at 77

A founding member of iconic rock band the Eagles has died at the aged of 77, it has been announced.

Bernie Leadon, Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Randy Meisner of The Eagles in London in 1973.

Randy Meisner, founding member of the Eagles, has died, it has been announced.

The 77-year-old passed away after a battle with complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” a statement on the group’s website read.

Randy Meisner, founding member of The Eagles, has died at 77.

“His vocal range was astonishing, as is evident on his signature ballad, Take It to the Limit.”

Meisner was famous for adding high harmonies to the band’s signature ballads including Take It Easy and The Best of My Love.

He joined Don Felder, Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon in the early 1970s to form the enduringly popular act.

Born and raised in small town Scottsbluff, Nebraska, Meisner moved to Californian as a young man to forge a music career.

Over the next decade, the Eagles evolved from country rock with hits from Take It Easy and Desperado to Hotel California among others.

The band’s 1970s line up included drummer Don Henley, guitarist Joe Walsh, bass Randy Meisner, and guitarists Glenn Frey and Don Felder.

Meisner stayed on through the release of their biggest album, Hotel California, in 1976 but behind the scenes, his commitment to the group was coming undone.

He and bandmate Glenn Frey had an argument at a Knoxville, Tennessee concert in the summer of 1977 that was so intense it prompted Meisner to leave soon after.

Meisner was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit who stayed in the band’s line up for more than two decades.

He later forged a solo career and had some success with songs including ‘Hearts On Fire’ and ‘Deep Inside My Heart’.

The Eagles’ Bernie Leadon, Joe Walsh, Don Henley, Timothy Schmit, Don Felder, and Randy Meisner after being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1998.

He suffered personal tragedy in recent years when, in 2016, his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, accidentally shot and killed herself.

Meisner had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and had severe issues with alcohol, according to court records.

In a 2015 hearing, a judge ordered Meisner to receive constant medical care.

He is survived by three children.