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The highest 10 Randy Meisner songs cowl the person’s profession that features his run as one of many founding members of the Eagles, in addition to a solo artist, and as a contributing member of different bands akin to Drivin’ Dynamics and Poco. From 1961 till 2008, Meisner loved a profession as a singer, songwriter, and musician that usually had him function a bassist and backup concord vocalist. Other than the primary six of the studio albums he recorded and launched with the Eagles, Meisner has additionally recorded and launched 5 solo albums.
Taking Flight
Born as Randall Herman Meisner on March 8, 1946, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, he was raised because the son of a farming couple whose dad and mom migrated to america from Germany. Meisner’s childhood reminiscences embody listening to his mom usually singing at dwelling. By the point he was ten years outdated, his curiosity in music resulted in taking classes that might lead him to play in native bands. Certainly one of his idols was Elvis Presley, in addition to the expertise pool that influenced Motown and R&B music.
Whereas at school, Meisner was inspired to learn to play the bass guitar. It appeared the second he picked up the instrument, his future to grow to be knowledgeable musician was already set. As a bassist and singer, he performed for The Drivin’ Dynamics from 1961 to 1965. Technically referred to as The Dynamics on the time, the group recorded a four-song EP that featured Meisner singing as lead vocalist for Sam Cooke’s 1957 basic, “You Ship Me.” This led to a 1965 document cope with Sully Information that had Meisner sing the lead on two songs, “Certainly one of These Days” and “So Effective.”
Between 1966 to 1970, Randy Meisner joined a couple of totally different bands that included The Poor, the Stone Canyon Band, and Goldrush. On this timeframe, Meisner moved to California, toured Europe, and skilled a sequence of ups and downs as a band member and session musician. In 1971, Meisner was recruited to hitch Linda Ronstadt’s lineup of backing musicians. It might be this expertise that might have him meet Glenn Frey, Don Henley, and Bernie Leadon.
Ruffled Feathers
With Frey, Henley, and Leadon, Meisner based the Eagles in September 1971 and the group signed up with David Geffen’s new label, Asylum Information. In 1972, the band launched its debut album. The primary 5 recordings featured Meisner serving as bass guitarist, singer, and songwriter which would come with the group’s first huge hit, “Take It to the Restrict.” Whereas it appeared on the floor all was properly with the Eagles, it was a distinct story internally. For Meisner, spending a lot time away from his household took its toll on the person. On the time, he was married to his highschool sweetheart, Jennifer Lee Barton, and so they had three kids.
After the 1976 launch of Resort California, the Eagles launched into a tour that might have Meisner face a sequence of well being points that weighed him down even additional. As common because the Eagles turned, Meisner had a private desire to remain out of the highlight. As soon as the tour was over in 1977, a bodily and emotionally exhausted Meisner discovered himself realizing his time as a valued Eagles bandmate was over. When he left, Timothy B. Schmit took his place. It might be the second time Schmit changed Meisner in a band’s official lineup. The primary time was with Poco when Meisner moved on after the recording of Pickin’ Up the Items was full in 1968.
Though Meisner shared no resentment in opposition to his former Eagles bandmates, he did admit he felt disappointment when the group’s 1994 Hell Freezes Over tour excluded him as if he by no means existed. In 1998, the Eagles have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame which featured all seven of the band’s previous and current membership roster. This time, Meisner was included. When Timothy B. Schmit made his acceptance speech, he paid tribute to the person whereas the Eagles accepted the award earlier than a reside viewers in New York Metropolis.
Grounded
In 1978, Randy Meisner started his profession as a solo artist. This marked the identical yr he launched his self-titled album, which featured a brand new association to his signature hit, “Take It to the Restrict.” In 1980, Meisner’s One Extra Track had his former Eagles bandmates, Glenn Frey and Don Henley, assist with the manufacturing as backup vocalists. Six of the album’s 9 songs had Meisner’s penmanship as a songwriter workforce up with Eric Kaz and Wendy Waldman additionally included his hit single, “Hearts on Fireplace.” All through the early Nineteen Eighties, Randy Meisner & the Silverados launched into a live performance tour earlier than he’d launch his third album in 1982. Additionally titled Randy Meisner, this manufacturing featured Coronary heart’s expertise pool, together with Ann and Nancy Wilson.
Three years after the discharge of his third album, Randy Meisner teamed up with Jimmy Griffin and Billy Swan to type a supergroup referred to as Black Tie. Collectively, they lined Buddy Holly’s “Studying the Recreation” and it turned an enormous hit within the nation music style. In 1990, Black Tie launched When the Night time Falls, simply earlier than Griffin left the band and was changed by Charlie Wealthy, Jr. This sparked a reputation change from Black Tie to Meisner, Wealthy & Swan. As a trio, they toured extensively earlier than releasing their studio album on September 11, 2001. This was unlucky timing as all the eye was poured on the 9/11 terrorist assault that befell on American soil that day.
From the Nineties till 2008, Meisner carried out as a solo artist that additionally teamed up with former bandmates throughout live performance excursions and recording periods. Earlier than the Eagles, he was with Drivin’ Dynamics, in addition to Poco. In 2013, he was invited by the Eagles to hitch them for his or her Historical past of the Eagles world tour however he had well being points that prevented him from doing so. He did, nevertheless, seem at their September 2018 three-night live performance at The Discussion board in Inglewood, California. The footage of this live performance was launched on October 16, 2020, as Dwell from the Discussion board MMXVIII in CD and DVD codecs.
Randy’s Demons
4 years after Randy Meisner left the Eagles, his marriage with Jennifer Lee Barton resulted in divorce. Not lengthy after this, he started a twelve-year relationship with Lana Rae earlier than the 2 lastly married in 1996. Sadly for Meisner, Rae by accident shot herself on March 6, 2016, when the rifle she was carrying struck an object that was additionally within the case with it. Because of this, it fired a shot that mortally wounded her whereas Randy Meisner was in one other room inside the home. Stricken with grief, Meisner was saved below psychiatric surveillance till it was decided he wasn’t going to pose a hazard to himself or anybody else for that matter as he was already beforehand recognized as bipolar.
Though regarded by his followers and friends as somebody easygoing and delicate, Meisner did have a historical past of well being points that included psychological sickness. When the Eagles have been on the peak of their fame throughout the mid-Nineteen Seventies, it was famous he was uncomfortable being within the highlight. It performed an element within the household feud-style bickering that befell backstage, particularly between Meisner and Frey. On the time, Meisner struggled with alcoholism as a result of his discomfort with fame. This was a situation that plagued him since late 1960 that might finally result in a sequence of medical emergencies in 2004. This ultimately led to his choice to cease performing in 2008.
Nonetheless, Meisner’s battle with alcoholism didn’t finish there. In 2015, a lawsuit was filed on his behalf that steered his second spouse, Lana Rae, took benefit of Meisner’s medical and psychological well being points by force-feeding him alcohol to maintain him in an intoxicated state. Whereas the couple denied the story publicly, folks closest to Meisner have been involved about his well-being in what they noticed as a poisonous atmosphere for a person whose well being was persevering with to take a flip for the more serious.
After Rae died in 2016, Meisner’s menace of suicide wasn’t the primary time he voiced he wished to take his personal life. Fortunately, he by no means adopted by way of with it because the followers have been in a position to get pleasure from his music at the very least yet another time. In 2020, Meisner carried out with Richie Furay at his dwelling for a sequence of live-stream concert events. Since then, he’s saved a low profile, away from the general public highlight whereas followers proceed to hearken to and admire his music.
Prime 10 Randy Meisner Songs
#10 – Come On Again to Me
“Come On Again to Me” was a tune from Randy Meisner’s 1980 solo album, One Extra Track. As an easy-listening tune addressed to his love curiosity. Launched earlier than his divorce from his first spouse was finalized, one would suppose this was a tune meant for her. With a wedding that was falling aside, Meisner appeared to pour his coronary heart and soul into his music as a therapeutic means to cope with the loss. This was his area of interest as a musician, one which his followers benefited from all through his recording profession. Meisner’s expertise as a musician, plus his easy-going nature, made him a favourite as a solo artist and as a member of the totally different bands he carried out with.
#9 – Save the Final Dance for Me
Surely, “Save the Final Dance for Me” will at all times be the Drifters’ signature tune. This all-time basic, because it was initially recorded in 1960 with Ben E. King because the lead vocalist, is unimaginable to beat. It has been lined many instances over by so many recording artists, together with Randy Meisner. Whereas his model might not stand out as a cult basic like the unique, it’s nonetheless splendidly carried out by one of many few artists who may do that tune justice. Meisner’s model was recorded and launched in 1978 when he made his debut along with his self-titled solo album.
#8 – Don’t Hold It Inside
Launched on June 8, 2004, Love Me or Go away Me Alone was a recording that featured “Don’t Hold It Inside” as one in every of its fifteen songs. The musical assortment from this album featured a group of demos and different recordings spanning from the late Nineteen Seventies to the early Nineties. Whereas the critics didn’t see the album as something spectacular, “Don’t Hold It Inside” is a type of songs that served as a soul piece coming from Randy Meisner. This can be a nice ballad to show to when it feels as if the world is an excessive amount of to deal with. Singing as somebody who already knew a factor or two about melancholy, Meisner’s “Don’t Hold It Inside” stands out as a fan favourite who acknowledge good music after they hear it.
#7 – One Extra Track
“One Extra Track” was the title monitor from Randy Meisner’s 1980 album, which was his second launch as a solo recording artist. This can be a stunning ballad of a singer who shared an expertise whereas taking part in at a membership. It’s a type of unbelievable gems that had Meisner current an autobiography of himself within the type of a tune that’s assured to be a tear-jerker amongst followers who know a factor or two concerning the man and his historical past. This additionally extends past simply him. One Extra Track” represents precisely what one of the best of music is all about. The video footage of Randy Meisner related to this tune makes it that a lot tougher to observe with out having a field of tissues close by.
#6 – Playin’ within the Deep Finish
In 1982, Randy Meisner launched his second self-titled studio album. “Playin’ within the Deep Finish” was one of many 9 tracks from it and likewise one of many album’s highlights as a tune. Sung as a country-rock gem with a tough electrical edge, Meisner demonstrated why he was so favored as a bass guitarist for therefore many rock teams, together with the Eagles. Of the songs from Meisner’s assortment of recordings, that is one in every of his most playful and pleasurable. It was as if life was lastly coming collectively for the person that didn’t include grueling schedules and unrealistic expectations. Within the tune, he referred to “Suzy,” a love curiosity that received over his coronary heart in what felt like a carefree second.
#5 – Anyway Bye Bye
Written by Richie Furay, “Anyway Bye Bye” was the ultimate tune on the tracklist belonging to Randy Meisner’s second solo album, One Extra Track. This was a ballad Meisner sang as a breakup tune, informing his love curiosity that it was time for him to maneuver on. The discharge of the album was in 1980, one yr earlier than he and his first spouse, Jennifer Lee Barton. The 2 have been highschool sweethearts that married in 1963 and had three kids collectively. Sadly, it was a wedding that didn’t final. The truth of Meisner’s scenario appeared to play by way of “Anyway Bye Bye” as he shared the heartbreak of a love that grew too chilly to proceed.
#5 – Playin’ within the Deep Finish
In 1982, Randy Meisner launched his second self-titled studio album. “Playin’ within the Deep Finish” was one of many 9 tracks from it and likewise one of many album’s highlights as a tune. Sung as a country-rock gem with a tough electrical edge, Meisner demonstrated why he was so favored as a bass guitarist for therefore many rock teams, together with the Eagles. This playful tune was Randy Meisner at his carefree finest, a uncommon efficiency that appeared to have him at his happiest. As one of many songs featured within the album, it was recorded and launched at a time when his relationship with Lana Rae started as a romantic courtship that might ultimately result in marriage in 1996.
#4 – By no means Been in Love
In 1982, Randy Meisner was an album launched that featured Ann and Nancy Wilson from Coronary heart. It was the second time Meisner recorded a self-titled album since transferring on as a solo artist after his run with the Eagles was accomplished. “By no means Been in Love” turned a quantity twenty-eight hit on the US Billboard Scorching 100, in addition to a quantity thirty hit on the Canadian Prime Singles chart.
This unbelievable tune began with a robust opening that options Meisner smoking his means by way of along with his crystal clear vocals and wonderful bass efficiency. A timeless basic, “By no means Been in Love” steered Meisner was maybe singing concerning the new love curiosity in his life, Lana Rae. She turned his girlfriend not lengthy after his first marriage along with his highschool sweetheart dissolved in 1981. In 1996, she turned his spouse.
#3 – Deep Inside My Coronary heart (that includes Kim Carnes)
On the US Billboard Scorching 100, “Dance Inside My Coronary heart” was a single that peaked as excessive as quantity twenty-two in 1980. On the Canadian Prime Singles chart, it was a quantity twelve hit. Whereas Randy Meisner sang because the lead vocalist, Kim Carnes carried out as his backing vocalist. Though she was not credited on the time this tune was launched, followers had no hassle recognizing her simply distinguishable voice.
Collectively, the 2 carried out this tune as a duet on The Midnight Particular and it turned a preferred music video. It additionally turned a quantity thirty-four hit on Australia’s Kent Music Report on the time. “Deep Inside My Coronary heart” got here from Meisner’s 1980 album, One Extra Track, and was one in every of his signature hits that stood out as an all-time fan favourite.
#2 – Hearts on Fireplace
1980’s One Extra Track was an album that produced the hit single, “Hearts on Fireplace.” On the US Billboard Scorching 100, it turned a quantity nineteen hit. On the US Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and the Canadian Prime Singles chart, the tune peaked as excessive as quantity fourteen. This was Randy Meisner’s second hit to interrupt into the highest twenty as a single since he turned a solo artist after leaving the Eagles in 1977. If there was that one signature tune belonging to Randy Meisner that wasn’t immediately linked to the Eagles “Hearts on Fireplace” could be it. Meisner sang about how he felt a few love curiosity that cranked the warmth he felt in his coronary heart up at the very least a couple of notches.
#1 – Take It to the Restrict
The Eagles’ huge hit, “Take It to the Restrict.” was co-written by Randy Meisner whereas he was nonetheless a part of the group’s lineup. He additionally sang the lead earlier than transferring on as a solo artist. “Take It to the Restrict” was the group’s first huge hit, which featured Meisner singing as lead vocalist. It got here from the album, Certainly one of These Nights. As a solo artist, a rearranged model of “Take It to the Restrict” was featured on Randy Meisner’s self-titled debut album in 1978. Together with his run with the Eagles formally accomplished, Meisner moved ahead along with his recording profession as his personal man dictating his musical path.
Whereas Meisner’s solo of “Take It to the Restrict” didn’t share the identical charting success as his Eagles model did, that is nonetheless a cult basic. As a songwriter, Meisner put in the primary few strains of “Take It to the Restrict” after coming back from the Troubadour tour. When he struggled to complete it in time for recording, he recruited Glenn Frey and Don Henley to use the ending touches. Between the three, this was often how their songs as members of the Eagles ironed out, at the very least for the six albums Meisner took half in.
For Meisner, “Take It to the Restrict” was a tune about desirous to reside life to the fullest at the very least yet another time earlier than changing into too outdated to take action. When it was recorded as a single for the group, Randy Meisner was the lead vocalist. In his solo model, this tune featured David Cassidy as a backup vocalist whereas it was carried out by acoustic guitar and piano.
The excessive notes Meisner hit as he sang “Take It to the Restrict” served as its spotlight. Sadly for Meisner, well being points throughout the Resort California tour compromised his capability to hit these excessive notes on stage. It catalyzed the rising tensions that have been brewing between himself and his bandmates on the time. After he departed from the Eagles, Meisner recorded and launched his self-titled debut album in 1978 with “Take It to the Restrict” which is unmistakably his signature tune.
Prime 10 Randy Meisner Songs article revealed on Basic RockHistory.com© 2023
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