'Take It To The Limit' will always be Randy's song!! Thank you, Randy The song has always held a special place in my heart, even as a little girl. And to this day, whenever I hear it, it still brings a smile to my face!
Obviously not knowing Randy's exodus would be forthcoming, saw the Eagles in the Dallas area in 1977 during their "Hotel California" tour. Glanced at the second-hand of my glow-in-the-dark Timex (or some such brand) as soon as Randy started the high note on "Take It To The Limit" and he held it, if memory serves correct, almost 12 seconds, in complete control and note strength!! The responding sound from the crowd was deafening!! Thank you for this story and thank you, Mr. Meisner for sharing your beautiful voice. Rest-in-peace, sir.
Thanks for sharing the truth. I never really thought Randy would explode and cause a fight. I always thought Frey was the one that started the fight. RIP Randy. Your a better man for walking away.
Nobody knows what the truth is. Did Randy ever deny Glen and Don’s version of events? And Randy himself had previously admitted that he wasn’t always comfortable performing it.
@@westyravizAccording to every book I’ve read, Glen (enormous ego) Frey indeed initiated the confrontation with Randy and did threaten him. Frey’s and Henley’s egos were out of control, Randy took the high road and walked for the sake of his mental/physical health. Glen/Don’s version is the proverbial grain of salt.
@@billdesinger8604- Randy loved to party. He knew that TITTL was an encore song. He'd party on then not want to sing. Glenn and Henley were the founders of the Eagles, so the pressure of being a great band, fell on them. Randy was a good man, but wasn't perfect. I was at the last Eagles concert, in Shreveport/Bossier City LA in July, 2015. Glenn addressed TITTL, before he sang. He looked up to the sky and dedicated it to Randy. He said we love you Randy, wherever you are tonight. Being the President of Eagles fan groups, I have gotten to know some of Randy's family. So as soon as the concert was over, I called his daughter and with tears in my eyes, I told her about what Glenn did.
Very seldom does a single song become associated with one performer but Take It To The Limit is definitely Randy's and I listen to it over and over; it's that good.
yes, I agree, I too listen to Randy sing Take It To The Limit again and again it never gets old. No one sings it like Randy and no one hits that high note like Randy. I've heard Vince Gill sing it and he does a good job. Vince doesn't give me the goosebumps like when Randy sings it. Randy sings with so much passion.
There can be no doubt the Eagles had ego issues. You cannot have that much talent crammed together and then add the drug of choice of the time and not have crazy things go down! I will always love this song and when I saw them in Greensboro during the HC tour it was def one of many highlights that night! Nobody will ever own it like Randy!
Randy had already performed the song earlier as part of the band's set list. Randy had the best natural singing voice in the group but he didn't like being in the spotlight and the song put a lot of strain on him mentally and vocally hitting the right notes every night. Don Felder said that backstage, Glenn told Randy you're going to do it for the encore and Randy said no because he had already sung it as part of the set list and he didn't feel up to singing it again and they had never done it as the encore before. He said Frey was irrate and demanded Randy to sing it and again Randy said no. Frey then pushed Randy and Randy snapped and grabbed Frey by the throat and literally lifted him off the ground and pinned him against the wall and told him to never lay a hand on him again. Felder said it was so uncharacteristic of Randy because he was the most laid-back, quiet, and gentle person in the band but he had enough of Frey and Henley and how they treated everyone in the band. He said that they had managed to take the joy and fun out of playing music. Felder said that in true Randy fashion, he personally apologized to him and Joe Walsh for his actions but Felder said that it was years of frustration built up in Randy and Glenn just happened to be on the receiving end of it. Don Felder said that his view of Randy never changed. He was still the sweetest and greatest person you could ever meet.
Nice post, thanks. "... He said that they had managed to take the joy and fun out of playing music...." Both Glen Frey and Don Henley would be investment bankers or private equity crooks if they hadn't discovered music. Cheers! Thanks for the insight!
Someone that is that laid back can only take it so far. Don obviously made the choice to “take it to the limit” and for once, it didn’t end well for him or the Eagles!
I think fatigue and cocaine abuse had something to do with Meisner's throat issues. That is an incredibly tough song to sing. They were all snorting blow which I'm sure created to their tension.
"he didn't like being in the spotlight" That is the one thing you are wrong about as everything else checks. Randy Meisner was in the middle of the stage when they were a four piece and sang lead on at least 25% of the material if not more. The first Eagles LP was four lead vocalists. Look at any live footage from 1973 and it's readily apparent. Onstage he appeared to be fronting the band. He loved the spotlight.
Hmmm...I'm curious. --Bernie Leadon gets into a fight, and leaves the group. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey. --Randy Meisner gets into a fight, and leaves the group. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey. --Don Felder gets into a fight, and the group shuts down. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey. --After the band gets together, and cuts another album together, Don Felder is fired from the group. The people doing the firing ...Don Henley and Glenn Frey. I might not be the brightest bulb in the marquee, but I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here, and a VERY common denominator.
@@burtrangle3546 That Irving asshole did not help things either. He convinced Frey & Henley they were leaders because of a couple of top 40 hits. When the band was signed the big connections were had by the other two as they had legitimate followings with Flying Burrito Brothers and Poco. Also Randy Meisner sang lead in a lot of earlier Eagles material so that whole "shunning the spotlight" thing is so bogus. Aside from all that what's really strange is Gram Parsons and Glenn Fry do look alike.
Unfortunately, the cover band I'm in has a narcissist in it...the keyboard/guitar/sax/flute/harmonica player is SO full of himself. I would have punched him a long time ago, but he's not worth going to jail for.
Remember The Cars? Ric Ocasek (singer of Best Friend's Girlfriend) did that to Ben Orr (singer of Drive and Just What I Needed and Moving in Stereo)! Ric was a narcissist and pushed Ben deeper into the background, used and crapped on Ben. Ric is the reason the cars broke up. Also TomSchultz was a narc who ruined the band Boston in less than TWO years! KISS, Gene with his sidekick Paul, they ruined every band member's spirit. The old saying still goes: never meet your heros.
Don Felder and Joe Walsh said that Randy was the most laid-back person in the band. If a confrontation came up amongst the other members, he was always the voice of reason. Randy didn't like being in the spotlight and had a fear of messing up during the falsetto parts of the song but truth be told, Randy had the best voice in the band, with Henley being the next closest. It was well known that there was a lot of in fighting between Henley and Frey at this point, but instead of really taking it out on each other, they would take their dislike out on other band members. On the night in question, "Take it to the limit" was the 5th song in the set lineup. When the show ended and the band was back stage, Felder said Frey didn't ask Randy to do the song for the encore, he demanded that he do it. Randy, already burned out from the constant touring and the fact that they had already done the song once, said it didn't make sense to sing it again and told Frey "no". Frey kept demanding it and said your going to sing the damn song and pushed Randy. Felder said Randy just lost it, punched Frey, and had him jacked up against the wall with his hand on his throat. He then apologized to Joe Walsh and Don Felder for his actions as they were just bystanders, and a few days later quit the band.
Thank you for this video. I’ve been a Randy Meisner fan for many years. Many of his fans have believed for a long time that the narrative pushed by Frey and Henley was incorrect. Why they did that I don’t know? It could be said the band’s subsequent albums, whilst still popular, missed the special magic that Randy brought to the Eagles. Were Frey and Henley peeved about that? Randy is on record saying that he had let all the bad feeling go, that to harbour resentment was no way to live. He was a peaceful guy and didn’t deserve the lies. As Randy once said: “all I want to see is 5 guys happy playing together, that’s where the music comes from.” Randy remains beloved and appreciated by his many fans and music lovers. May he RIP.
Randy was a fellow Nebraskan. ...from Scottsbluff. I'm in Omaha. It was probably 80 or 81 when I was in college. He played a solo show at a club called Pogo's. It was one helluva show. After it was over, I was lucky enough to "steal" about 10 minutes of his time. Very polite, soft spoken, and gracious. It was actually an honor to speak to him. I thanked him for his time after he told me he had to leave to get on the bus....Damn, that's one of my favorite concert experiences.
@@georgeklavins7257 what a wonderful experience for you! I’ve only ever heard positive things about Randy’s interaction with his fans. Terrific memory - thanks for sharing.
@catherinecole1188 In fact I JUST finished watching a show of his, only about 20 minutes from 2000 at a club in LA called The Joint....UA-cam it if interested.
I think you are absolutely right. Don and Glenn through Randy under the bus. It bruised their ego cause Randy had more talent AND he got more girls than they did!!
Frey is a big jerk,an idiot jealous man. Ofcourse Randy was so beautiful and friendly,all the girls loved him. Frey was not handsome to look at. Randy had it all and Frey totally had nothing.
Enjoyed your video and take on Randy's decision to leave the band. My first concert ever was seeing the Eagles in July, 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Randy sang Take It To The Limit that night about mid concert and his vocal was just like on the record. I could not believe how high that guy could sing. Don Henley's voice, on the other hand, cracked several times during that show, specifically on the outro of One of These Nights when he sings those really high falsetto notes. As a singer myself, I didn't mind. I knew these guys were playing live several nights a week and it just made them human, not just rock gods. And we knew they were playing live............... no lip syncing that night 🤔
Everything I find when searching the internet says Randy's last show was East Troy with Wisconsin September 3rd 1977. I saw him sing it live and outdoors. The way I always described it was the heavens opened up when he hit those final notes. Truly amazing. Good article
You are correct. They talked him into doing a few more shows after they had hired Tim Schmidt and he couldn't fill some dates because of other commitments. Randy was just to nice of a guy to leave them high and dry.
I've been a huge Eagles fan from Day 1, but, the more I hear about Don and Glen impacts the lasting impression of the music itself. Perhaps it's time they just fade away.
I hear you! I LOVE the Eagles music, its really along with Elton John, KISS, Doobie Bros, and Boston the soundtrack of my youth. But Henley Especially, is so smug! And for what? He is an awfully little man to try to be so tough. Between Randy and Felder they trash them so much that its fairly obvious there must be some jealousy or at the very least unwarranted arrogance
Anyone who Frey didn't get into a fight with?And i can tell you as someone who worked drum cartage for Don Henley,that guy is as unhinged as they come..Nasty,capricious,and over all a rude,ungrateful guy...Truth hurts..
Certainly, if there's a Rock n Roll Heaven, then there must be a Rock n Roll Hell. Filled with people that were helped by someone else, and then shit on members of their own band. Frey and Henley won't be alone.
The Eagles constructed an entire career based on ripping off Rick Nelson, and Poco. When they tried to step away from that and do truly original songs, they were awful. And now they’re nothing more than an nostalgia act.
I totally agree ... Randy was the best and my favorite Eagle.... I watched the biography on Showtime i think it was and Glen frey though i loved his voice and music ability came off as so arogant to me that i could no longer be a fan of him. I am team Randy always !
I love Randy Meisner and I dont like the way he was treated even after leaving the band. Also the way they treated Bernie and Don Felder. I love Take it to the Limit, classic song. Don and Glenn were a**holes.
@@clayman4575 I disagree Clay. I want to know more about the musicians behind the scenes and you have to expect many lived that "Rock n roll lifestyle." Neil Young, openly to this day a real jerk, but I still love his music. I love music docs, eg. Grateful Dead, QMS, Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, before Nicks.
I think Don Henley and Glenn Frey were bullies that never actually punched anybody but also never got the punch in the face they deserved. Don Henley is absolutely insufferable.
@@greenmanalishi6963 They did, but usually took their beefs out on the others. Just because they were egomaniacs doesn't mean that they were stupid. Most of the big hits, they wrote together, so they tried to keep that relationship together.
I was at the Knoxville concert. I can confirm they did perform TITTL. I distinctly remember Randy commenting that this song always make him horse from hitting the high notes. I've always wondered why there was this story that they didn't do the song. They definitely did.
I was there too, with several friends from Kingston and Rockwood. The most memorable the part, when after the concert, I took a drunken swim in the fountain outside the Colosseum with a pretty blonde! lol
@@Mst-bh9ti Only a band with a limited catalog plays a sang twice in one show. The Eagles did NOT have a limited catalog and they never did a third encore. It was a manufactured memory.
Henley and the late Glen Frey were the Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of the Eagles. Never forget when they did the Hell Freezes over tour Henley and Frey said they “deserved to be paid far more than the other members because their solo careers were superior to the others. I immediately thought nope, I believe Joe Walsh takes that title.
I've noticed the similarities between Henley/Frey and Stanley/Simmons as well. They want to rewrite history and expect their fans to be ignorant enough to fall for it.
Amen Loved the Eagles but it sickens me to know about the trash that went on amongst these grown men😮😮 why can’t we just get along and love one another 😮❤
That was a great take on that story - I think you’re right! I love Randy’s album and I still play and sing ‘One More Song’ around the campfire from time to time. Thanks Friend! Ken
Isn't it ironic that the way they treated Randy and now all these years later they get busted out lip-syncing their own live concerts lol. Just check out wings of Pegasus Channel and how Fil proves this! Thanks for sharing your perspective Randy has always been a vocal hero of mine and to me probably one of the very greatest pop singers of all time. Randy was an incredibly talented but humble musician and should always have a special place in our hearts
What happened in my opinion is that Randy was pushed out for money reasons. The Eagles had an agreement when they started out to one fifth of a share for every bandmember. After they broke the big time and big money rolled in, Glenn and Don felt that they should get a bigger share because they started the band and wrote and sang the majority of the hit songs. Bernie was forced out of the band because they wanted to go into a more rock orientated direction, which gave him less and less input,and they got rid of Randy with this lame excuse. It is noteworthy that Joe Walsh and Tim Smith never were allowed to be a full time member, instead they were just on the payroll. Don Felder then was paid a far less amount after the reunion, and kept referring to the original agreement of 1974. We know what happened when he refused to accept a lower contract and kept persisting on the initial agreement. Oh, and after Randy left, the Eagles never came to the same level commercially or creatively. His contribution became all the more clear when he wasn’t there anymore, (no disrespect to Timothy B Schmitt.)
Yes, but they didn't get rid of Bernie or Randy; Bernie and Randy quit. Forced into it? Yes, I think so; but that made a huge difference in the financial settlements as opposed to Felder.
I grew up playing drums in a fairly successful local band. We did covers so listening to the best music of the time was a big part of what we did, and we leaned toward this type of rock/country fusion if you will...Buffalo Springfield was a favorite. We were playing somewhere every weekend for about 2 1/2 years and at the end it was a strain. I know how tough it is to keep several distinct & different personalities on the same path. All that being said, I am happy to see this come out because I always felt this story Henley tried to sell about Randy was BS! I became pretty sure Henley was a self-absorbed ass when I found he sued this hotel in a small Baja California village that was named Hotel California since the 1950's. This hotel just trying to get by had the audacity to play the song as background music...it didn't bring the hotel any revenue...it was just a cool link to the name they had way before the Eagles song. Henley was a total ass about it in my view and from the stories I have heard or read Frey was just as bad. The Eagles music was fantastic, but Frey and Henley were dogs!
I saw them live in 77 too, and Randy sang it. Saw them again in 94 (where they DID do a 3rd encore-Take it Easy.) Don Henley is a greedy liar who has now OFFICIALLY been exposed for lip-syncing Desperado. I wouldn’t trust him further than I could throw him. (Maybe that’s too generous. I’m sure I could toss him quite a ways) 🫡 Semper Fi. Interesting video. As someone who used to sing, there’s times when you just know that you’re not going to be capable of doing certain songs and something like Take It to the Limit? That’s walking a razor’s edge EVERY TIME!
lip syncing Desperado? It's such an easy song to sing, why would he do that? I do find it odd that Henley, being a drummer, would take on another member, Timothy Schmidt, who was also a drummer.
Not sure how Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, and Don Felder managed to resist beating down both Henley and Frey. I suppose they were all super laid back and forgiving. Henley and Frey are not guys you'd want to drink a beer with.
Randy said in an interview that he had been sick on much of the tour, his ulcer was acting up, he got the flue and that he was homesick longing for his family. Both Randy and Bernie were discontent when they came back from England and were recording On The Border threatening to quite.
This is what happens to most bands that start out in equal footings. While the eagles doc was great (I only watched it 200 times lol), Don & Glenn are full of it
I think this was all a fabrication by Henley and Frey just went along with it. Look at the way Don Felder was treated by these guys too! And even up to the present where Henley has a crew of people constantly monitoring You Tube and other social media to block ANYONE from using or even mentioning the Eagles music! I have always loved the Eagles music, but the more I hear about the way Henley treats people in the band the less I care for him.
Take it to the limit was written by RANDY himself, Don and frey only did the chorus by helping Randy and when the song was popular they said it was THEYR song, Not true! ,Randy wrote and sang it. Later on, this became a problem because Don and Frey wanted the benefits of it and pushed Randy to sing it when he refused, he was too ill to sing the high notes. There was a fight between Randy and Frey after stage and Randy left the band. Felder and Walsh confirmed it. You can find this story on youtube.
Henley and Frey were narcissistic egomaniacs that's why they got along, After the recent lip sync incident, I've lost what little respect I had for Henley
"thinking" it's a fabrication without an ounce of evidence? doesn't work for me. but I'm with you about frey and henleys and their mistreatment of practically everyone who's ever been in the band.
I saw the HC tour in Richmond, Virginia and he definitely sang it. The crowd literally went crazy. We were row 7 on the floor, and all these years later, i can stiĺ remember those impossible high notes. Everybody was on their feet. Even up in the nose bleed. They ended with desperado . The band appeared like they were having a good time. Lots of smiles and waves. Sigh. They dont make music like they used to. You need a high note, just let the autotune fix it. Or. Prerecord a track and charge people $12,000 for one ticket as you lipsync to the track. Karmas coming.
I perform this in my band. You have all of those "take its" to contend with, which are full voice B4s, plus the high reinforced falsetto runs. Challenging in a 2 hour gig.
They used to be one of my favorite bands but after the whole Don Felder fiasco I realized how much Henley and Frey are scumbags..Now Henley with his UA-cam vultures demonitizing videos that was the last straw for me. Randy was a phenomenal musician.
Well put together and well reasoned argument, definitely something fishy about the "official" story, but then I was already suspicious about how they treated Felder. The more I read the more I wonder about Don and Glenn's attitudes.
Well like I said in the video, I'm not 100% sure but from what I have read and saw I think the evidence points me in believing differently now. Thanks for watching!
@@RiverDocs Yeah it totally does, btw all those shows have documented set lists , they have them to keep track of royalties. But if they played it in and around the same place in shows within that time period it makes sense that would keep it up, song placement isnt a random thing, Hotel is first because it saves their vocals tomorrow night, doing it late in the show can wreck your voice, I know that from bitter experience, so I figure you are correct. Randy's vocal is higher again , so its even more important to that early. I always thought it odd, they would give Randy the lime light at the end of the show anyway, Don and Glenns egos wouldn't give that up so easily. Your theory makes perfect sense to me.
Both times I saw them on the Hotel California tour their final encore songs were Tequila Sunrise, that was in Nov 76 and June 77 it was Take it Easy. I highly doubt anyone but Glenn sang the final songs on those shows as Don always opened it with Hotel. It is a well known fact by 76 both of those guys had huge egos. They even admit they had problems between themselves because of it.
Very Good Video. I always wondered about that. The performance I used to watch of Houston, must have been his last time with the Eagles besides HOF. Randy gets an ovation, all the way into the start of the next song. Thanks for the different take on all this, & helping substantiate my thoughts about greedy Henley & Frey. You'll never have to convince me, that you're likely 100% correct.
Eagles were always my favorite when I grew up. However, it is clear that Don and Glenn were jerks and mistreated their bandmates repeatedly over the years. I last saw the Eagles on their "Long Road Out of Eden" tour when Frey was still alive and I am glad I did, just for nostalgia's sake. However, I wouldn't pay the outrageous prices to see their new "Tribute" band. But I saw Don Felder last year and he put on a GREAT show!
This is my son’s iPad and I don’t know how to use the thing. Sorry for any typos. I just turned 68, born and raised in a small country town in central Virginia, and was shipped off to my grandmothers farm during the summer. It was there I was first exposed to gospel quartet music early on Sunday mornings. The piano on Randy’s lp reminds me so much of those wonderful groups. It would be interesting to know if the groups ever came to Nebraska exposing him to that music. Paul Simon stated bridge over troubled waters was originally inspired by southern gospel music. Thanks for the video.
I have no clue if Randy was exposed to gospel music at an earlier age? But I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you subscribe to the channel!
I live in Minnesota, i was listening to our rock station KQRS92 that has been around since the early 70's for sure, and they were talking about being at a press thing at a restaraunt and Henley was there, and they all were told not to look in his direction or say anything to him, i guess the ego thing is true, sad to hear these things, i don't know why he attended at all or just did not go through the drive thru and eat, you could do so many great things to help people and animal orginizations by being in your position, yet you choose to be a jerk, money and fame are just waysted on some people.
I've been tracking this story and other Eagles drama for a few years now. Have never read anyone coming to the defense of Glenn or Don, never ever. That's pretty damn telling isn't it? Once I dug deep into this story (albeit all in UA-cam comments), I think Randy's vocals were key to the success of the original band and he penned their first top hit. Geez, you think there'd be lots of gratitude for that. And I'm a big fan of Bernie too. I love his Gram Parson's tribute song, My Man. I owned there first four records and loved the hard rock edge of On the Border and Witchy Woman still gets me. But they lost me a Hotel California. Okay song, but way overplayed for this 16 year old.
I haven't heard of the encore story. Years ago I heard that Glenn got after Randy backstage because Randy hadn't quite hit the higher notes as usual, to Glenn's satisfaction, when singing Take it to the Limit during the Knoxville show.
I’ve got Don Felder’s book “Heaven and Hell”. I believe Don’s account of the event. It wasn’t just the song. It was Glenn’s overbearing pushing and control that finally made Randy snap. I enjoy “History of the Eagles”. I own it and have watched it many times. But it was DEFINITELY told from Glenn, and Henleys point of view.
Randy was already established when he hooked up with Henley and Frye and he was popular with female fans. He was a nice guy who was fed up with with these control freaks, that's my opinion opinion
When you look at the Eagles through the lens of Bernie, Randy and Don Felder and that common denominator, it is hard not to question Frey and Henley motives all along. There's no question the great music they produced but under the surface, at what cost?
Either Randy Meisner is the jerk, or Don Henley and Glen Frey are the jerks. You highlighted in this video how Randy was known as a gentle soul. There are real reasons why so many people love the Eagles music despite the personalities of Henley and Frey. How each man comported themselves throughout their lives tells me all I need to know about who did what that night. Great video man. Thank you.
Randy had a HIGH TENOR VOICE - even higher than Don Henley who had great range - As Randy aged it was harder to reach the belt out "TAKE-IT" .... to the limit ..... as it was high and dynamic, difficult to hit cleanly EVERY TIME. The reason some left was GLEN FREY - he was a tyrant and oppressed any who did not acquiesce to his iron rule. He started a fight with Don Felder over an opinion expressed NOT HELD by Felder ..... throwing things and cussing him WHILE ON STAGE ..... Frey went crazy and literally chased Don Felder off the stage at the end pf the show. GBjj
Randy my favorite Eagle! Lived 45 miles south of where he was from. Was about 12 13 in mid 70s when i learned it. Never got to meet him though. Listening to Most of us are sad. Is it true. Take it to the limit. Midnite flyer and hearts on fire in about 10. Randy Meisner..its not opinion its a fact. One of the 10 best most beautiful..inspiring MALE voices ever recorded😊
RD, I never listened to the Eagles in my younger years. Always thought they were to country. Now I really enjoy their music. It seems most bands had their interpersonal issues. Possibly alcohol and drug abuse and doing the same ol thing night after night living out of a suite case and lets not forget egos. Not sure how any person could hold up. Just saying. Keep up your good work, Boe
The more I learn about the antics of Glen Frey and Don Henley the less I respect them as human beings. They ran off Bernie, Randy and Don Felder and afterwards their music was trash. After Hotel California I was through with them. Way to go Don and Glen, RIP, you destroyed the magic.
I have been in bands all my life and there are always fights from members. It is usually the member with the least talent in all areas. This guy had a type A personality and wormed his way into a forceful member and the nicer gentle guys would go along. I was the lead singer and main songwriter, and one night he cut a member to Shreds during a break, and she quit. It got to me ,and I would rather quit the band I formed . We tried a few short reunions, but he still called the shots, and I couldn’t handle it. Afterwards I won 4 songwriting awards, And was the singer in the band that became Blackberry Smoke with Charlie Starr. I couldn’t go on to stardom because of heart disease, While my old band with Uncle Grumpy petered out. Just rewards to an untalented dictator. Bill Hadley.
whenever a performer joined the Eagles...and began to "steal the show"...Don and Glenn would push them out. Sane with Don Felder. Don Henley's greed and hunger for power "killed the goose"
Thanks for this video! Very straight forward balanced approach. I agree with you on Randy's re-recording of Take It to the Limit. Piano is too forward in the mix, plus the main vocal is not at the level it needed to be. The Eagles version has more reverb/echo which makes the vocal sound a bit bigger as well.
I remember reading about why randy regusing tefusing refusing to sing the song for whatever reason have been instresed interested since have a wonderful weekend doc ❤😊
Not to speak ill of the dead but, Glenn Frey had a reputation as a horse’s backside! He was constantly threatening Felder &! Meisner. I also think in many ways he was a coward because he didn’t want to get into an altercation with Leadon! Bernie was a Black belt and would’ve eaten Frey’s lunch! Henley cones off as a true snake as well! Irving Azoff also was a weasel (IMO)
Glenn Frey and Don Henley couldn't stand or stomach each other.. Glenn was trying to keep the Eagles his band, but Hotel California changed all of that and control of the Eagles was shifting towards Henley who thought he deserved to be the leader of that band... Instead of taking their frustrations out on each other and settling their differences, they always projected their hatred for each other on to other members of the band while staying somewhat in denial about how much they disliked each other.. It's like a codependent relationship from hell where they convince themselves it's always someone else's fault.
The Egos, I mean Eagles, had a way of treating band members like side-men. To survive you had to accept your "employee, hired-hand," at-well status. Walsh really didn't care one bit. Felder went along to get along. Leadon left when he saw the writing on the wall that his "countrified" services were no longer needed and the band was moving to a harder edge. Randy was just too easy going and, as it turns out, had the stirring of alcohol and mental health issues that would come into play later in life. Perhaps, brought on by Pricks Frey and Henley.
I don’t see how anyone put up with Henley and Frey. They were egotistical elites. We started this, we perfected it, we paid our dues. WE, are the rock stars. I saw Frey during an interview actually say, Henley and I are the ones who kept the Eagles in the forefront during our solo careers. If I’m not mistaken, Felder and Walsh had decent solo careers too. Frey could have stood a little humility but he was too big to be humble.
Every band has its drama. Can’t people just appreciate the music? Not a single person commenting here were ever part of this band. Just enjoy the music and stop hating on dead people
I know right. Everybody is an expert and knows all about the inner workings of the band. Absolutely ridiculous. Instead of enjoying the music people just love spreading horseshit around.
Jealous band members often turn on the object of their jealousy. Just look at hos Don Brewer and Mel Schacher treated Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad fame.
@RiverDocs thank you 4 the video! Randy Meisner was intrigual to the Eagles as anyone, he and Bernie and Felder were pushed out of the band, I'm fortunate 2 have seen them on Hell Freezes Over tour, no Randy tho😪
It’s funny I never heard this story. I was under the impression Randy was having marital problems and was sick with stomach ulcers and he wanted a break. The fight with Frey did happen but it was over Randy wanting t take a break. Frey said if you leave we’ll replace you like we did Bernie. Randy went home and decided he’d had enough.
No one will ever, ever take that song to the place that Randy Meisner did. He was phenomenal!!
Talk about “cutting your nose off to despite your face”, Don and Glen didn’t do the Eagles and good for “pushing” Randy out the way it happened.
Suzy Bogguss’ cover was damn good!
He had a fantastic mellow voice.
'Take It To The Limit' will always be Randy's song!! Thank you, Randy
The song has always held a special place in my heart, even as a little girl. And to this day, whenever I hear it, it still brings a smile to my face!
Obviously not knowing Randy's exodus would be forthcoming, saw the Eagles in the Dallas area in 1977 during their "Hotel California" tour. Glanced at the second-hand of my glow-in-the-dark Timex (or some such brand) as soon as Randy started the high note on "Take It To The Limit" and he held it, if memory serves correct, almost 12 seconds, in complete control and note strength!! The responding sound from the crowd was deafening!! Thank you for this story and thank you, Mr. Meisner for sharing your beautiful voice. Rest-in-peace, sir.
You're welcome and thank you for watching!
We all should be thankful for Randy's song, it tells a very valuable story about life and everyone should heed it's meaning.
Thanks for sharing the truth. I never really thought Randy would explode and cause a fight. I always thought Frey was the one that started the fight. RIP Randy. Your a better man for walking away.
Nobody knows what the truth is. Did Randy ever deny Glen and Don’s version of events? And Randy himself had previously admitted that he wasn’t always comfortable performing it.
@@westyravizAccording to every book I’ve read, Glen (enormous ego) Frey indeed initiated the confrontation with Randy and did threaten him. Frey’s and Henley’s egos were out of control, Randy took the high road and walked for the sake of his mental/physical health. Glen/Don’s version is the proverbial grain of salt.
@@billdesinger8604- Randy loved to party. He knew that TITTL was an encore song. He'd party on then not want to sing. Glenn and Henley were the founders of the Eagles, so the pressure of being a great band, fell on them. Randy was a good man, but wasn't perfect.
I was at the last Eagles concert, in Shreveport/Bossier City LA in July, 2015. Glenn addressed TITTL, before he sang. He looked up to the sky and dedicated it to Randy. He said we love you Randy, wherever you are tonight. Being the President of Eagles fan groups, I have gotten to know some of Randy's family. So as soon as the concert was over, I called his daughter and with tears in my eyes, I told her about what Glenn did.
Very seldom does a single song become associated with one performer but Take It To The Limit is definitely Randy's and I listen to it over and over; it's that good.
yes, I agree, I too listen to Randy sing Take It To The Limit again and again it never gets old. No one sings it like Randy and no one hits that high note like Randy. I've heard Vince Gill sing it and he does a good job. Vince doesn't give me the goosebumps like when Randy sings it. Randy sings with so much passion.
Randys vocals on take it to the limit is one of the best songs ever sung by any vocalist it’s on another level.R I P Randy.
Good to hear. Randy is my favorite Eagle, always was. "Try to Love Again" is one of my favorite songs.
There can be no doubt the Eagles had ego issues. You cannot have that much talent crammed together and then add the drug of choice of the time and not have crazy things go down! I will always love this song and when I saw them in Greensboro during the HC tour it was def one of many highlights that night! Nobody will ever own it like Randy!
Randy had already performed the song earlier as part of the band's set list. Randy had the best natural singing voice in the group but he didn't like being in the spotlight and the song put a lot of strain on him mentally and vocally hitting the right notes every night. Don Felder said that backstage, Glenn told Randy you're going to do it for the encore and Randy said no because he had already sung it as part of the set list and he didn't feel up to singing it again and they had never done it as the encore before. He said Frey was irrate and demanded Randy to sing it and again Randy said no. Frey then pushed Randy and Randy snapped and grabbed Frey by the throat and literally lifted him off the ground and pinned him against the wall and told him to never lay a hand on him again. Felder said it was so uncharacteristic of Randy because he was the most laid-back, quiet, and gentle person in the band but he had enough of Frey and Henley and how they treated everyone in the band. He said that they had managed to take the joy and fun out of playing music. Felder said that in true Randy fashion, he personally apologized to him and Joe Walsh for his actions but Felder said that it was years of frustration built up in Randy and Glenn just happened to be on the receiving end of it. Don Felder said that his view of Randy never changed. He was still the sweetest and greatest person you could ever meet.
Nice post, thanks. "... He said that they had managed to take the joy and fun out of playing music...." Both Glen Frey and Don Henley would be investment bankers or private equity crooks if they hadn't discovered music. Cheers! Thanks for the insight!
Someone that is that laid back can only take it so far. Don obviously made the choice to “take it to the limit” and for once, it didn’t end well for him or the Eagles!
I think fatigue and cocaine abuse had something to do with Meisner's throat issues. That is an incredibly tough song to sing. They were all snorting blow which I'm sure created to their tension.
@@leemanhamptons unfortunately you are probably right.
"he didn't like being in the spotlight" That is the one thing you are wrong about as everything else checks. Randy Meisner was in the middle of the stage when they were a four piece and sang lead on at least 25% of the material if not more. The first Eagles LP was four lead vocalists. Look at any live footage from 1973 and it's readily apparent. Onstage he appeared to be fronting the band. He loved the spotlight.
Thanks gor clearing this up man. Hard to dispute what was recorded in print at the time. Youve done the world of Rock a huge favor.
If anything, Henley and Frey have proven themselves over the years to be two of the biggest pricks in all of music. RIP Randy, you were a sweet soul.
yes
I agree. I loved the Eagles in my youth. Seeing their documentary really changed my opinion about them, and not for the better.
I thought I was going to hear a bunch of crap on my comment @ Glenn being a dick.
I'd believe Randy over those two ego freaks!
Thanks for saying it for me. Without Randy, it ain't the Eagles; it's the Frey-Henley Band.
Hmmm...I'm curious.
--Bernie Leadon gets into a fight, and leaves the group. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey.
--Randy Meisner gets into a fight, and leaves the group. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey.
--Don Felder gets into a fight, and the group shuts down. The other party in the fight...Glenn Frey.
--After the band gets together, and cuts another album together, Don Felder is fired from the group. The people doing the firing ...Don Henley and Glenn Frey.
I might not be the brightest bulb in the marquee, but I think I'm beginning to see a pattern here, and a VERY common denominator.
The lowest common denominator.
They were meant to build on the Bakersfield sound, but Frey was'nt a hair on Parson's ass, so they became an mor R&B group.
@@burtrangle3546 That Irving asshole did not help things either. He convinced Frey & Henley they were leaders because of a couple of top 40 hits. When the band was signed the big connections were had by the other two as they had legitimate followings with Flying Burrito Brothers and Poco. Also Randy Meisner sang lead in a lot of earlier Eagles material so that whole "shunning the spotlight" thing is so bogus. Aside from all that what's really strange is Gram Parsons and Glenn Fry do look alike.
Doesn't take Sherlock Holmes to figure out what the problem was.
Easy going, sensitive people are often targeted by narcissists, especially in bands. Good for Randy for walking.
Unfortunately, the cover band I'm in has a narcissist in it...the keyboard/guitar/sax/flute/harmonica player is SO full of himself. I would have punched him a long time ago, but he's not worth going to jail for.
Remember The Cars? Ric Ocasek (singer of Best Friend's Girlfriend) did that to Ben Orr (singer of Drive and Just What I Needed and Moving in Stereo)! Ric was a narcissist and pushed Ben deeper into the background, used and crapped on Ben. Ric is the reason the cars broke up.
Also TomSchultz was a narc who ruined the band Boston in less than TWO years!
KISS, Gene with his sidekick Paul, they ruined every band member's spirit.
The old saying still goes: never meet your heros.
Oh yeah and sad.
That's pretty profound
@@connievino4226
Don Felder and Joe Walsh said that Randy was the most laid-back person in the band. If a confrontation came up amongst the other members, he was always the voice of reason. Randy didn't like being in the spotlight and had a fear of messing up during the falsetto parts of the song but truth be told, Randy had the best voice in the band, with Henley being the next closest. It was well known that there was a lot of in fighting between Henley and Frey at this point, but instead of really taking it out on each other, they would take their dislike out on other band members. On the night in question, "Take it to the limit" was the 5th song in the set lineup. When the show ended and the band was back stage, Felder said Frey didn't ask Randy to do the song for the encore, he demanded that he do it. Randy, already burned out from the constant touring and the fact that they had already done the song once, said it didn't make sense to sing it again and told Frey "no". Frey kept demanding it and said your going to sing the damn song and pushed Randy. Felder said Randy just lost it, punched Frey, and had him jacked up against the wall with his hand on his throat. He then apologized to Joe Walsh and Don Felder for his actions as they were just bystanders, and a few days later quit the band.
Randy was a great singer
Thank you for this video. I’ve been a Randy Meisner fan for many years. Many of his fans have believed for a long time that the narrative pushed by Frey and Henley was incorrect. Why they did that I don’t know? It could be said the band’s subsequent albums, whilst still popular, missed the special magic that Randy brought to the Eagles. Were Frey and Henley peeved about that? Randy is on record saying that he had let all the bad feeling go, that to harbour resentment was no way to live. He was a peaceful guy and didn’t deserve the lies. As Randy once said: “all I want to see is 5 guys happy playing together, that’s where the music comes from.” Randy remains beloved and appreciated by his many fans and music lovers. May he RIP.
You're welcome!
Randy was a fellow Nebraskan. ...from Scottsbluff. I'm in Omaha. It was probably 80 or 81 when I was in college. He played a solo show at a club called Pogo's. It was one helluva show. After it was over, I was lucky enough to "steal" about 10 minutes of his time. Very polite, soft spoken, and gracious. It was actually an honor to speak to him. I thanked him for his time after he told me he had to leave to get on the bus....Damn, that's one of my favorite concert experiences.
@@georgeklavins7257 what a wonderful experience for you! I’ve only ever heard positive things about Randy’s interaction with his fans. Terrific memory - thanks for sharing.
@@georgeklavins7257 GBR!
@catherinecole1188 In fact I JUST finished watching a show of his, only about 20 minutes from 2000 at a club in LA called The Joint....UA-cam it if interested.
Don't forget Randy's amazing 'Try And Love Again.'
That is such an underrated gem on Hotel California.
Absolutely agree with you. Try and Love Again is a standout song on an excellent album.
"Midnight Flyer" is great as well!
I think you are absolutely right. Don and Glenn through Randy under the bus. It bruised their ego cause Randy had more talent AND he got more girls than they did!!
It was also their first big hit. Ego-maniacs don't like being shown up.
Frey is a big jerk,an idiot jealous man. Ofcourse Randy was so beautiful and friendly,all the girls loved him. Frey was not handsome to look at. Randy had it all and Frey totally had nothing.
My Uncle knew Randy & said he was a humble great person
Nobody was ever more impressed by the Eagles than the Eagles.
I think Randy was the exception maybe Bernie too.
No. Me!
Enjoyed your video and take on Randy's decision to leave the band. My first concert ever was seeing the Eagles in July, 1976 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Randy sang Take It To The Limit that night about mid concert and his vocal was just like on the record. I could not believe how high that guy could sing. Don Henley's voice, on the other hand, cracked several times during that show, specifically on the outro of One of These Nights when he sings those really high falsetto notes. As a singer myself, I didn't mind. I knew these guys were playing live several nights a week and it just made them human, not just rock gods. And we knew they were playing live............... no lip syncing that night 🤔
Yep they were very live back then!! Thanks for watching!
Everything I find when searching the internet says Randy's last show was East Troy with Wisconsin September 3rd 1977. I saw him sing it live and outdoors. The way I always described it was the heavens opened up when he hit those final notes. Truly amazing. Good article
You are correct. They talked him into doing a few more shows after they had hired Tim Schmidt and he couldn't fill some dates because of other commitments. Randy was just to nice of a guy to leave them high and dry.
Appreciate you for posting this and really want to see more of Randy,s songs and videos.
I love Randy Meisner and his beautiful voice, thanks so much for this, could it be that Frey and Henley were jealous of him? It sure sounds like it.
I've been a huge Eagles fan from Day 1, but, the more I hear about Don and Glen impacts the lasting impression of the music itself.
Perhaps it's time they just fade away.
Glenn kind of faded away eight years ago when he died.
@@frankcarlone5130 The reports of Glen's death are greatly exaggerated.
I hear you! I LOVE the Eagles music, its really along with Elton John, KISS, Doobie Bros, and Boston the soundtrack of my youth. But Henley Especially, is so smug! And for what? He is an awfully little man to try to be so tough. Between Randy and Felder they trash them so much that its fairly obvious there must be some jealousy or at the very least unwarranted arrogance
The Eagles could very justifiably be compared to a sausage factory.
Don is the sole reason why you never hear Eagles covers on UA-cam.
Anyone who Frey didn't get into a fight with?And i can tell you as someone who worked drum cartage for Don Henley,that guy is as unhinged as they come..Nasty,capricious,and over all a rude,ungrateful guy...Truth hurts..
so sad
Certainly, if there's a Rock n Roll Heaven, then there must be a Rock n Roll Hell. Filled with people that were helped by someone else, and then shit on members of their own band. Frey and Henley won't be alone.
I always thought that Frey was a d*ck !
Frey was worse than Henley, but they were both lying pieces of trash. Henley, in the end quit on Frey!
The Eagles constructed an entire career based on ripping off Rick Nelson, and Poco. When they tried to step away from that and do truly original songs, they were awful. And now they’re nothing more than an nostalgia act.
I totally agree ... Randy was the best and my favorite Eagle.... I watched the biography on Showtime i think it was and Glen frey though i loved his voice and music ability came off as so arogant to me that i could no longer be a fan of him. I am team Randy always !
I think they were jealous of Randy!! Don Felder mentioned this in his book! I believe this!! Randy Meisner was more appealing than Glenn Frey too!!
As a guy it's hard to tell, but hearing it from a female confirms my suspicion!!!
I love Randy Meisner and I dont like the way he was treated even after leaving the band. Also the way they treated Bernie and Don Felder. I love Take it to the Limit, classic song. Don and Glenn were a**holes.
The longer I live, the more the curtain gets pulled back on the artists that made some of my favorite music, and I get sick to my stomach.
Same here! Sometimes it is better not to know too much I guess..
I couldn’t agree more.. A friend told me years ago to never meet your heroes, they’ll only disappoint you.
Me too
@@clayman4575 I disagree Clay. I want to know more about the musicians behind the scenes and you have to expect many lived that "Rock n roll lifestyle." Neil Young, openly to this day a real jerk, but I still love his music. I love music docs, eg. Grateful Dead, QMS, Skynyrd, Fleetwood Mac, before Nicks.
same here! we make these people into gods.....when truth be known, money and fame turned most of them into nothing but spoiled A-holes.
Truly one of the best performances of all time.
🎵🎸❤️☮️🌻
I think Don Henley and Glenn Frey were bullies that never actually punched anybody but also never got the punch in the face they deserved. Don Henley is absolutely insufferable.
Frey got the ber dumped on his head though
It's funny how Henley sang about forgiveness in "The Heart of the Matter", but could be a full-on jerk to his bandmates.
Both needed a lump or two to adjust their attitudes.
How did they (henley/ grey) not beef with each other considering they’re both such ego maniacs
@@greenmanalishi6963 They did, but usually took their beefs out on the others. Just because they were egomaniacs doesn't mean that they were stupid. Most of the big hits, they wrote together, so they tried to keep that relationship together.
Glenn Frey was the poison of this band. The examples of his ego and selfishness are countless.
I was at the Knoxville concert. I can confirm they did perform TITTL. I distinctly remember Randy commenting that this song always make him horse from hitting the high notes. I've always wondered why there was this story that they didn't do the song. They definitely did.
I was there too, with several friends from Kingston and Rockwood. The most memorable the part, when after the concert, I took a drunken swim in the fountain outside the Colosseum with a pretty blonde! lol
The story referred to above says he refused to sing it a SECOND time, not that they didn't play it
That story was the lying excuse to run Randy off.
@@Mst-bh9ti Only a band with a limited catalog plays a sang twice in one show. The Eagles did NOT have a limited catalog and they never did a third encore. It was a manufactured memory.
@@chriscordell9594 spot on 👍
Don Henley and Glenn Frey are two of the biggest A-holes in music.
you can say asshole, it's o.k.
Henley and the late Glen Frey were the Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of the Eagles. Never forget when they did the Hell Freezes over tour Henley and Frey said they “deserved to be paid far more than the other members because their solo careers were superior to the others. I immediately thought nope, I believe Joe Walsh takes that title.
I agree Walsh's solo records are way better than anything Frey ever did...
@@WilliamClark-uj1uo OR Henley.
I've noticed the similarities between Henley/Frey and Stanley/Simmons as well. They want to rewrite history and expect their fans to be ignorant enough to fall for it.
Henley and Frey were the Eagles they started the band they controlled what the band did if they didn't they wouldn't be as big
Joe didn't need the Eagles...the Eagles needed Joe
Amen Loved the Eagles but it sickens me to know about the trash that went on amongst these grown men😮😮 why can’t we just get along and love one another 😮❤
Greed and jealousy
That was a great take on that story - I think you’re right! I love Randy’s album and I still play and sing ‘One More Song’ around the campfire from time to time. Thanks Friend!
Ken
Thanks for sharing the truth about that night.
You bet
Isn't it ironic that the way they treated Randy and now all these years later they get busted out lip-syncing their own live concerts lol. Just check out wings of Pegasus Channel and how Fil proves this! Thanks for sharing your perspective Randy has always been a vocal hero of mine and to me probably one of the very greatest pop singers of all time. Randy was an incredibly talented but humble musician and should always have a special place in our hearts
Very ironic!! Almost to the point it makes me a little sick to think about it. Shame on him! Thanks for watching!
Saw Eagles in Las Vegas at the Sphere. No Randy but still awesome. Randy was incredible talent
What happened in my opinion is that Randy was pushed out for money reasons. The Eagles had an agreement when they started out to one fifth of a share for every bandmember. After they broke the big time and big money rolled in, Glenn and Don felt that they should get a bigger share because they started the band and wrote and sang the majority of the hit songs. Bernie was forced out of the band because they wanted to go into a more rock orientated direction, which gave him less and less input,and they got rid of Randy with this lame excuse. It is noteworthy that Joe Walsh and Tim Smith never were allowed to be a full time member, instead they were just on the payroll. Don Felder then was paid a far less amount after the reunion, and kept referring to the original agreement of 1974. We know what happened when he refused to accept a lower contract and kept persisting on the initial agreement.
Oh, and after Randy left, the Eagles never came to the same level commercially or creatively. His contribution became all the more clear when he wasn’t there anymore, (no disrespect to Timothy B Schmitt.)
I tend to agree with your take. It makes the most sense.
Yes, but they didn't get rid of Bernie or Randy; Bernie and Randy quit. Forced into it? Yes, I think so; but that made a huge difference in the financial settlements as opposed to Felder.
@@oboogie2 exactly, they got rid of them by making them quit. Even cheaper, so more money for Don and Glen.
That’s pretty much the way I’ve read the story.
Randy wasnt even part of the band during that issue
I grew up playing drums in a fairly successful local band. We did covers so listening to the best music of the time was a big part of what we did, and we leaned toward this type of rock/country fusion if you will...Buffalo Springfield was a favorite. We were playing somewhere every weekend for about 2 1/2 years and at the end it was a strain. I know how tough it is to keep several distinct & different personalities on the same path. All that being said, I am happy to see this come out because I always felt this story Henley tried to sell about Randy was BS! I became pretty sure Henley was a self-absorbed ass when I found he sued this hotel in a small Baja California village that was named Hotel California since the 1950's. This hotel just trying to get by had the audacity to play the song as background music...it didn't bring the hotel any revenue...it was just a cool link to the name they had way before the Eagles song. Henley was a total ass about it in my view and from the stories I have heard or read Frey was just as bad. The Eagles music was fantastic, but Frey and Henley were dogs!
I saw them live in 77 too, and Randy sang it. Saw them again in 94 (where they DID do a 3rd encore-Take it Easy.) Don Henley is a greedy liar who has now OFFICIALLY been exposed for lip-syncing Desperado. I wouldn’t trust him further than I could throw him. (Maybe that’s too generous. I’m sure I could toss him quite a ways) 🫡 Semper Fi. Interesting video. As someone who used to sing, there’s times when you just know that you’re not going to be capable of doing certain songs and something like Take It to the Limit? That’s walking a razor’s edge EVERY TIME!
uncle sams misguided children
lip syncing Desperado? It's such an easy song to sing, why would he do that? I do find it odd that Henley, being a drummer, would take on another member, Timothy Schmidt, who was also a drummer.
Tim Schmidt was hired to do bass.
Not sure how Randy Meisner, Bernie Leadon, and Don Felder managed to resist beating down both Henley and Frey. I suppose they were all super laid back and forgiving. Henley and Frey are not guys you'd want to drink a beer with.
Or to be in a band with.
Randy said in an interview that he had been sick on much of the tour, his ulcer was acting up, he got the flue and that he was homesick longing for his family.
Both Randy and Bernie were discontent when they came back from England and were recording On The Border threatening to quite.
This is what happens to most bands that start out in equal footings. While the eagles doc was great (I only watched it 200 times lol), Don & Glenn are full of it
if time travel was possible , no question id go back to any year of the 70s
I think this was all a fabrication by Henley and Frey just went along with it. Look at the way Don Felder was treated by these guys too! And even up to the present where Henley has a crew of people constantly monitoring You Tube and other social media to block ANYONE from using or even mentioning the Eagles music! I have always loved the Eagles music, but the more I hear about the way Henley treats people in the band the less I care for him.
Frey was always a prick as well….
Take it to the limit was written by RANDY himself, Don and frey only did the chorus by helping Randy and when the song was popular they
said it was THEYR song, Not true! ,Randy wrote and sang it. Later on, this became a problem because Don and Frey wanted the benefits of it and pushed Randy to sing it when he refused, he was too ill to sing the high notes. There was a fight between Randy and Frey after stage and Randy left the band. Felder and Walsh confirmed it. You can find this story on youtube.
Henley and Frey were narcissistic egomaniacs that's why they got along, After the recent lip sync incident, I've lost what little respect I had for Henley
AGREE!!
"thinking" it's a fabrication without an ounce of evidence? doesn't work for me. but I'm with you about frey and henleys and their mistreatment of practically everyone who's ever been in the band.
I saw the HC tour in Richmond, Virginia and he definitely sang it. The crowd literally went crazy. We were row 7 on the floor, and all these years later, i can stiĺ remember those impossible high notes. Everybody was on their feet. Even up in the nose bleed. They ended with desperado . The band appeared like they were having a good time. Lots of smiles and waves. Sigh. They dont make music like they used to. You need a high note, just let the autotune fix it. Or. Prerecord a track and charge people $12,000 for one ticket as you lipsync to the track. Karmas coming.
Randy was the best vocal in the period
I perform this in my band. You have all of those "take its" to contend with, which are full voice B4s, plus the high reinforced falsetto runs. Challenging in a 2 hour gig.
take it to the limit for sure best eagles song
They used to be one of my favorite bands but after the whole Don Felder fiasco I realized how much Henley and Frey are scumbags..Now Henley with his UA-cam vultures demonitizing videos that was the last straw for me. Randy was a phenomenal musician.
Another GREAT video my friend... "But so are ALL of the rest of yours!"
Well put together and well reasoned argument, definitely something fishy about the "official" story, but then I was already suspicious about how they treated Felder. The more I read the more I wonder about Don and Glenn's attitudes.
Well like I said in the video, I'm not 100% sure but from what I have read and saw I think the evidence points me in believing differently now. Thanks for watching!
@@RiverDocs Yeah it totally does, btw all those shows have documented set lists , they have them to keep track of royalties. But if they played it in and around the same place in shows within that time period it makes sense that would keep it up, song placement isnt a random thing, Hotel is first because it saves their vocals tomorrow night, doing it late in the show can wreck your voice, I know that from bitter experience, so I figure you are correct. Randy's vocal is higher again , so its even more important to that early. I always thought it odd, they would give Randy the lime light at the end of the show anyway, Don and Glenns egos wouldn't give that up so easily. Your theory makes perfect sense to me.
Both times I saw them on the Hotel California tour their final encore songs were Tequila Sunrise, that was in Nov 76 and June 77 it was Take it Easy. I highly doubt anyone but Glenn sang the final songs on those shows as Don always opened it with Hotel. It is a well known fact by 76 both of those guys had huge egos. They even admit they had problems between themselves because of it.
@@RiverDocs 100% that was my take on it too.
One of the Most talented bands . Randy and Glenn are my favorites.
Very Good Video. I always wondered about that. The performance I used to watch of Houston, must have been his last time with the Eagles besides HOF. Randy gets an ovation, all the way into the start of the next song. Thanks for the different take on all this, & helping substantiate my thoughts about greedy Henley & Frey. You'll never have to convince me, that you're likely 100% correct.
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it!
Eagles were always my favorite when I grew up. However, it is clear that Don and Glenn were jerks and mistreated their bandmates repeatedly over the years. I last saw the Eagles on their "Long Road Out of Eden" tour when Frey was still alive and I am glad I did, just for nostalgia's sake. However, I wouldn't pay the outrageous prices to see their new "Tribute" band. But I saw Don Felder last year and he put on a GREAT show!
Great video. Shines a new light on his altercation with Frey. I always believed it was an encore number as well.
Thanks. Appreciate you watching!
This is my son’s iPad and I don’t know how to use the thing. Sorry for any typos. I just turned 68, born and raised in a small country town in central Virginia, and was shipped off to my grandmothers farm during the summer. It was there I was first exposed to gospel quartet music early on Sunday mornings. The piano on Randy’s lp reminds me so much of those wonderful groups. It would be interesting to know if the groups ever came to Nebraska exposing him to that music. Paul Simon stated bridge over troubled waters was originally inspired by southern gospel music. Thanks for the video.
I have no clue if Randy was exposed to gospel music at an earlier age? But I wouldn't be surprised if he was. Glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you subscribe to the channel!
I live in Minnesota, i was listening to our rock station KQRS92 that has been around since the early 70's for sure, and they were talking about being at a press thing at a restaraunt and Henley was there, and they all were told not to look in his direction or say anything to him, i guess the ego thing is true, sad to hear these things, i don't know why he attended at all or just did not go through the drive thru and eat, you could do so many great things to help people and animal orginizations by being in your position, yet you choose to be a jerk, money and fame are just waysted on some people.
You can do a song in the middle as well as in the encore. They are not mutually exclusive. Encores are also frequently spontaneous
I've been tracking this story and other Eagles drama for a few years now. Have never read anyone coming to the defense of Glenn or Don, never ever. That's pretty damn telling isn't it? Once I dug deep into this story (albeit all in UA-cam comments), I think Randy's vocals were key to the success of the original band and he penned their first top hit. Geez, you think there'd be lots of gratitude for that. And I'm a big fan of Bernie too. I love his Gram Parson's tribute song, My Man. I owned there first four records and loved the hard rock edge of On the Border and Witchy Woman still gets me. But they lost me a Hotel California. Okay song, but way overplayed for this 16 year old.
Very interesting take. You're right, nobody I know of is defending Frey or Henley.
I agree, Yes Don H and Frey were pitbulls.
Very interesting story that's cool you got to see them in concert way back then
I've never heard anyone say that Don and Glenn were nice guys.
I haven't heard of the encore story. Years ago I heard that Glenn got after Randy backstage because Randy hadn't quite hit the higher notes as usual, to Glenn's satisfaction, when singing Take it to the Limit during the Knoxville show.
I’ve got Don Felder’s book “Heaven and Hell”. I believe Don’s account of the event. It wasn’t just the song. It was Glenn’s overbearing pushing and control that finally made Randy snap. I enjoy “History of the Eagles”. I own it and have watched it many times. But it was DEFINITELY told from Glenn, and Henleys point of view.
Randy was already established when he hooked up with Henley and Frye and he was popular with female fans. He was a nice guy who was fed up with with these control freaks, that's my opinion opinion
I cant imagine how much pressure is put on their voices singing day in & day out.
Eventually hitting your high notes becomes problematic.
When you look at the Eagles through the lens of Bernie, Randy and Don Felder and that common denominator, it is hard not to question Frey and Henley motives all along. There's no question the great music they produced but under the surface, at what cost?
Randy was the Eagles!
I feel sorry for Randy and Don fielder and don't forget Bernie lead on left angry
Either Randy Meisner is the jerk, or Don Henley and Glen Frey are the jerks. You highlighted in this video how Randy was known as a gentle soul. There are real reasons why so many people love the Eagles music despite the personalities of Henley and Frey. How each man comported themselves throughout their lives tells me all I need to know about who did what that night. Great video man. Thank you.
Randy had a HIGH TENOR VOICE - even higher than Don Henley who had great range - As Randy aged it was harder to reach the belt out "TAKE-IT" .... to the limit ..... as it was high and dynamic, difficult to hit cleanly EVERY TIME. The reason some left was GLEN FREY - he was a tyrant and oppressed any who did not acquiesce to his iron rule. He started a fight with Don Felder over an opinion expressed NOT HELD by Felder ..... throwing things and cussing him WHILE ON STAGE ..... Frey went crazy and literally chased Don Felder off the stage at the end pf the show. GBjj
Great job 👍
Thanks 👍
Love Randy's voice I imagine frey and don were hard to work with most talented people were it's just sad
I always liked the Eagles from the start. Lost all respect for Frey and Henley after the way Felder was treated.
I can't even listen to the Eagles anymore, and GO VOLS!
@@CognitiveDissident-d3j Thanks, GO VOLS!
Felders sarcasm about the fundraiser? His greed is immense and his singing voice lacks appreciability.
Randy my favorite Eagle! Lived 45 miles south of where he was from. Was about 12 13 in mid 70s when i learned it. Never got to meet him though. Listening to Most of us are sad. Is it true. Take it to the limit. Midnite flyer and hearts on fire in about 10. Randy Meisner..its not opinion its a fact. One of the 10 best most beautiful..inspiring MALE voices ever recorded😊
Toxic people will poison , wise to walk away
RD,
I never listened to the Eagles in my younger years. Always thought they were to country. Now I really enjoy their music. It seems most bands had their interpersonal issues. Possibly alcohol and drug abuse and doing the same ol thing night after night living out of a suite case and lets not forget egos. Not sure how any person could hold up. Just saying.
Keep up your good work, Boe
You are probably right Boe. That was no easy life/job they had. Appreciate you watching!
The more I learn about the antics of Glen Frey and Don Henley the less I respect them as human beings. They ran off Bernie, Randy and Don Felder and afterwards their music was trash. After Hotel California I was through with them. Way to go Don and Glen, RIP, you destroyed the magic.
I have been in bands all my life and there are always fights from members. It is usually the member with the least talent in all areas. This guy had a type A personality and wormed his way into a forceful member and the nicer gentle guys would go along. I was the lead singer and main songwriter, and one night he cut a member to Shreds during a break, and she quit. It got to me ,and I would rather quit the band I formed . We tried a few short reunions, but he still called the shots, and I couldn’t handle it. Afterwards I won 4 songwriting awards, And was the singer in the band that became Blackberry Smoke with Charlie Starr. I couldn’t go on to stardom because of heart disease, While my old band with Uncle Grumpy petered out. Just rewards to an untalented dictator. Bill Hadley.
whenever a performer joined the Eagles...and began to "steal the show"...Don and Glenn would push them out. Sane with Don Felder. Don Henley's greed and hunger for power "killed the goose"
Thanks for this video! Very straight forward balanced approach. I agree with you on Randy's re-recording of Take It to the Limit. Piano is too forward in the mix, plus the main vocal is not at the level it needed to be. The Eagles version has more reverb/echo which makes the vocal sound a bit bigger as well.
You're very welcome. Thank you for watching and leaving a comment!
It's very likely the song was performed twice in their set. Many bands of the 1970's played a hit song twice in a set.
Henley's got away with a lot of bs.
I remember reading about why randy regusing tefusing refusing to sing the song for whatever reason have been instresed interested since have a wonderful weekend doc ❤😊
Not to speak ill of the dead but, Glenn Frey had a reputation as a horse’s backside!
He was constantly threatening Felder &! Meisner. I also think in many ways he was a coward because he didn’t want to get into an altercation with Leadon!
Bernie was a Black belt and would’ve eaten Frey’s lunch!
Henley cones off as a true snake as well! Irving Azoff also was a weasel (IMO)
Glenn Frey and Don Henley couldn't stand or stomach each other.. Glenn was trying to keep the Eagles his band, but Hotel California changed all of that and control of the Eagles was shifting towards Henley who thought he deserved to be the leader of that band... Instead of taking their frustrations out on each other and settling their differences, they always projected their hatred for each other on to other members of the band while staying somewhat in denial about how much they disliked each other.. It's like a codependent relationship from hell where they convince themselves it's always someone else's fault.
You're correct. They did not get along as good as many thought they did.
I remember hearing an interview where it was said that Don Henley's voice was the reason that the Eagles stood out from the rest.
The Eagles had 5 number 1 singles. Henley was the lead vocalist on 3 of them.
We ❤❤❤love Randy may he rest in peace 🙏. Shame on you Don 😮😮😮
The Egos, I mean Eagles, had a way of treating band members like side-men. To survive you had to accept your "employee, hired-hand," at-well status. Walsh really didn't care one bit. Felder went along to get along. Leadon left when he saw the writing on the wall that his "countrified" services were no longer needed and the band was moving to a harder edge. Randy was just too easy going and, as it turns out, had the stirring of alcohol and mental health issues that would come into play later in life. Perhaps, brought on by Pricks Frey and Henley.
Henley's eyes look like those of a Mafia Enforcer.
I don’t see how anyone put up with Henley and Frey. They were egotistical elites. We started this, we perfected it, we paid our dues. WE, are the rock stars. I saw Frey during an interview actually say, Henley and I are the ones who kept the Eagles in the forefront during our solo careers. If I’m not mistaken, Felder and Walsh had decent solo careers too. Frey could have stood a little humility but he was too big to be humble.
Every band has its drama. Can’t people just appreciate the music? Not a single person commenting here were ever part of this band. Just enjoy the music and stop hating on dead people
I know right. Everybody is an expert and knows all about the inner workings of the band. Absolutely ridiculous.
Instead of enjoying the music people just love spreading horseshit around.
It's about reality why the band split, it's the truth. It seems you don't like to hear why BS happend.
Jealous band members often turn on the object of their jealousy. Just look at hos Don Brewer and Mel Schacher treated Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad fame.
I always read Randys last performance with the eagles was September 3rd Alpine Valley east troy wisconsin?
Hmmm I've never saw that but that's not to say it didn't happen! Thanks for watching and your comment!
@RiverDocs thank you 4 the video! Randy Meisner was intrigual to the Eagles as anyone, he and Bernie and Felder were pushed out of the band, I'm fortunate 2 have seen them on Hell Freezes Over tour, no Randy tho😪
Arguably, the Eagles' two best songs came from Felder and Meisner.
It’s funny I never heard this story. I was under the impression Randy was having marital problems and was sick with stomach ulcers and he wanted a break. The fight with Frey did happen but it was over Randy wanting t take a break. Frey said if you leave we’ll replace you like we did Bernie. Randy went home and decided he’d had enough.