Randy Meisner, Eagles co-founder and lead singer of Take it to The Limit, has died at the age of 77

Gijsbert Hanekroot / Redferns

Randy meisner, the bassist and founding member of the Eagles who wrote and sang “Take it to the Limit,” died Wednesday. He was 77 years old.

The Eagles confirmed meisner’s death in a statement on their website, stating that he died from complications of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“The Eagles are saddened to report that founding member, bassist and vocalist, Randy meisner, passed away last night in Los Angeles,” the band said in a statement. “Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the band’s early success. His vocal chances were stunning, as is evident in his signature ballad, ‘Take it to the limit.’”

This song was released in 1975 One Of These Nightsit showcased Meisner’s talent and his high fake was so iconic that it later inspired Fred Armisen to the Blue Jean Committee, his seventies parody rock band with Bill Hader from Documentary Now!

Meisner wrote “Take it to The Limit” one night at his home in Los Angeles. “I was feeling kind of lonely and I started singing ‘all alone at the end of the evening, and the bright lights have dimmed to blue,’ ” he recalls. “And went from there.”

Randall Herman meisner was born on March 8, 1946 in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Prior to the Eagles, he was the founding bassist at poco, which he formed in 1968 with Richie Furay and Jim Messina of Buffalo Springfield. Meisner left the group after the release of their debut Pickin ‘ Up Pieces he joined Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon.

He then became a member of Linda Ronstadt’s backing band along with Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon. In 1971, they split from Ronstadt, signed with David Geffen’s Asylum Records, and called themselves the Eagles.

Meisner spent the next six years with the band, singing on songs like “Tryin’ “(1972’s Eagles“Certain kind of Fool” (73 years old) Desperado“Midnight Flyer “(1974) On The Border). He also found himself navigating the intense creative direction of Henley and Frey.

“No, I don’t go along with everything they say or do,” he told Cameron Cropora in the Eagles ‘ 1975 Rolling Stone the cover story. “For example, I’m probably the only one in the band who loves funky rock & roll, trashy music and R&B. and I do not agree with some of our images either. But Don and Glenn have it covered. I think I’m too shy and nervous to put myself on the line. They’ve learned to do that.”

This shy and nervous side received a payoff at meisner, especially after the release of” Take it to the Limit”, which reached fourth place on the Billboard Hot 100 and spent 23 weeks on the charts. “Randy said,’ if it’s a hit, I’m going to have to hit that note every night, ‘” recalled producer and engineer Bill Szymczyk. “Which is exactly what happened.”

“Take it to The Limit” became an important concert and fan favorite-especially on the massive 1977 tour to support Hotel California and Meisner became more and more rigid to sing it. This, combined with other factors such as his failed marriage and tour fatigue, resulted in him leaving the band later that year.

“When the tour ended, I left the band,” he said. “Those last days on the road were the worst. No one was talking to me, or staying behind the shows, or doing anything. I became an outcast of the group I had helped start.”

Meisner’s final years were hit hard, including an alleged murder-suicide threat in 2015 and the accidental death of his wife, Lana Rae Meisner, a year later. The Los Angeles Coroner’s office ruled the death an accident, with a LOS Angeles police source telling CBS News that there was no indication of foul play.

In a 2008 interview with Rolling StoneMeisner said he had no regrets about leaving the Eagles despite everything it cost him. “You’re wasting your time thinking about those things,” he said. “I have a great business manager. When you invest, you make money. The musician talked about his” two little chihuahuas and tomato plants that are five feet tall now, “before adding,” I’m happy as a mollusk.”