Randy Meisner, Founding Member of the Eagles, Dies at 77

Randy Meisner, a founding member of the Eagles whose broad vocal range on songs like “Take It to the Limit” helped catapult the rock band to international fame, died on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He was 77.

The cause was complications from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, the band announced on Thursday.

“Randy was an integral part of the Eagles and instrumental in the early success of the band,” the group said on its website.

Meisner, the band’s original bass player, helped form the Eagles in 1971 together with Glenn Frey, Don Henley and Bernie Leadon. Meisner was with the band when they recorded the albums “Eagles,” “Desperado,” “On The Border,” “One of These Nights” and “Hotel California.”