The Eagles

Bass Players

 Randy Meisner

The Eagles were formed in the early seventies. Their founding members were Don Henley on drums, Glenn Frey on guitar and keyboards, Bernie Leadon on guitar, and Randy Meisner on bass. The four of them began playing together as a back up band for Lynda Ronstadt in 1972. After backing her on a two-month tour and on a 1972 album they decide to start there own band and formed the Eagles.

Mainly know as a bassist and backup singer, like a lot of us Randy Meisner started his career in a locale band in his home town in the early sixties. In late sixties he joined and played bass for Poco, a fairly successful rock band of the late sixties. He left Poco and in 1969 join and play with Rick Nelson's Stone Canyon Band and at the same time was active with the fore mentioned back up band of Lynda Ronstadt.

In 1971 Randy became, along with Don Henley, Glenn Frey, and Bernie Leadon, one of the founding members, playing bass and handled backing vocals for the Eagles. During his tenure with the band, he wrote and/or co-wrote songs on each of the group's first five albums - most notably "Take It to the Limit" on One of These Nights  - and was featured as lead vocalist on several songs.  In 1976 Randy left the Eagles, and began a solo career which continues today. He has released several solo albums and resumed his session-playing. 

Randy joined the Eagles' 1998 appearance at the New York induction ceremony for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, where all seven past and present members of the Eagles performed "Take It Easy" and "Hotel California".  Recent years have seen him perform as a part of the World Class Rockers touring group.

Timothy B Schmit 

Born in Oakland, California. Raised in Sacramento California, making him the only Eagles - know as a California band - member who actually is from California.  

At the age of 15, Tim created a folk trio Tim, Tom and Ron with two of his friends. The next year the band added a drummer, switched to surf music and took the name the Contenders.

As the British invasion hit, they were singing a more Beatles-stlye of music and changed their name to The New Breed. In 1965, the band put out a single “Green Eyed Woman” which was actually rather successful. The New Breed proceeded to record an album’s worth of material, but it didn’t get released until 1985 due to difficulties with their label. However, they did record and release two more singles: “Fine With Me” and “The Sound of Music”.

In 1970, Schmit joined Poco, replacing founding member Randy Meisner as bassist. In the span of seven years, Timothy and the other members of Poco released 11 albums.

Schmit joined the Eagles, again replacing Randy Meisner on bass in early 1978. In 1979 he co-wrote  and sang lead on the song “I Can’t Tell You Why” on the album The Long Run. 

After the break up of the Eagles in 1980, Schmit toured with Jimmy Buffett in the early eights along with beginning a successful solo career, singing vocals and playing bass for hire during studio sessions. His voice can be heard on hits by Bob Seger, Crosby, Stills and Nash, David Crosby, Don Henley and Toto.  In January of 1994, Travis Tritt wanted to make a music video for his cover of “Take it Easy” (from Common Thread) and requested that the Eagles participate. Timothy and the rest of the band agreed and for the first time in 14 years.  The Eagles soon began to tour in earnest. The “Hell Freezes Over” tour was only supposed to last for six months but due to the demand, it was extended to two and a half years.  he Eagles contuiue to tour on and off today

Timothy B. Schmit's continue to tour with the Eagles and working on his solo career.  His latest album (Expando) is scheduled for release on October 20, 2009.