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

Randy Meisner, founding member of rock back The Eagles, has died at the age of 77.

In a statement posted on the Eagle's website titled ‘Rest In Peace Randy Meisner’ the band announced Meisner passed away on Wednesday (July 26) night.

“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,” read the statement.

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“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band. His vocal range was astonishing, as evident on his signature ballad, ‘Take It to the Limit'."

Meisner was born 8 March 1946 in Scottsbluff Nebraska.

Apart from being the band's bass guitarist and lead vocalist, Meisner was also a songwriter, co-writing one of The Eagles' greatest hits ‘Take It to the Limit’, which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100.

He also has a co-writing credit on their Hotel California album for the song 'Try and Love Again', which he also featured as lead vocals on.

The founding member died due to complications from Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease.

Former bandmate Don Felder posted a tribute to Meisner on Facebook, remembering the bassist as 'one of the nicest, sweetest, most talented, and funniest guys' he’s had the chance to work with.

“His voice stirred millions of souls every time he sang 'Take It To The Limit'. The crowd would EXPLODE with cheers and applause,” wrote Felder.

Facebook/Don Felder

“We had some wild and wicked fun memories together, brother. God bless you Randy for bringing so many people joy and happiness. RIP, my friend.”

Other celebrities, such as Jamie Lee Curtis, have also commemorated the passing of Meisner.

“The Eagles were A BIG part of the soundtrack of my life. Randy Meisner added so much vocally to the group,” Curtis wrote in an Instagram post. "Another angel voice gone.”

Although Meisner left the band in 1977 due to exhaustion, he reunited with them on several occasions, such as when the band was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1988.

During his hiatus from the band, Meisner released two solo albums titled Randy Meisner and One More Song.

Funeral plans for Meisner are pending, according to the band.