MP3 Randy Meisner - Love Me Or Leave Me Alone
Randy Meisner from the Poor to the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt to Poco, the voice the talent the compositions the performances are all captured in the release with some of the best musicians of the 1970''s and 80''s. Randy''s songs have been covered by artist the
17 MP3 Songs
ROCK: Classic Rock, ROCK: 70''s Rock
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Randy Meisner''s music has been an american staple for decades. Here at Sonic Past Music you get the chance to hear songs from Randy that have never before been published. We have lots of cool new things coming soon, so check back frequently! Be sure to check out Randy''s latest releases, they''re great: Love Me or Leave Me Alone and Live in Dallas!
After leaving the Eagles on the completion of the "Hotel California" tour in 1978, Randy did a string of solo LPs. the "Dallas" album is comprised of many of these tracks. Says Randy: "It was a live performance which was done with some of my favorite musicians and songs..."
Early Randy Meisner
Born March 8, 1946 in Scottsbluff, NE, Randy Meisner was a founding member of The Dynamics, along with Larry Soto, Richard Rohnke & John Ankony.
The band''s first appearance was for a private party in October 1961 - with the 15-year old Meisner playing bass guitar and handling lead vocals. The band adopted the name - "The Dynamics" after playing during a break during a Bobby Vee concert at Terry''s Arena - located between Gering & Scottsbluff, NE.
Their first paying job was at the dancehall at Little Moon Lake, near Henry, NE. in December 1961. They played there regularly through 1962 to ever increasing crowds. Being the first rock band to play in Western Nebraska, crowds soared at Little Moon Lake.
Paul Asmus joined the band when Rohnke left for the military in late 1962. By this time the band name had expanded to "The Drivin'' Dynamics". During this time, The Drivin'' Dynamics released their first record, a 4-tune EP with Meisner singing lead vocals on Sam Cooke''s "You Send Me". Pressed locally with only 500 copies released, an original copy is difficult to locate today.
When John Ankony leaves for the Navy in early 1963 - the band hires Larry Soto''s younger brother, Bobby Soto to play drums. With Meisner handling most of the lead vocals, the band''s popularity expands throughout a 4-state area with regular advertising spots on Oklahoma City''s famed KOMA Radio. The band following expanded and attendance at "Dynamics" dances increased dramatically.
By early 1964, with Randy & Larry Soto still in high school, the band took on "an English look" because of the popularity of "The British Invasion" topping US record charts at that time. "Show Bands", like Kansas'' popular "Fabulous Flippers" then became extremely popular in the Midwest - and The Dynamics expanded the band size to 6-piece, adding Dave Margheim & Steve Cassells. They began to introduce "Rhythm & Blues" covers to their song list, in addition to other Top-40 tunes of the day.
In 1965, The Drivin'' Dynamics released a 45 on Sully Records out of Amarillo, TX, with Randy singing lead on "So Fine". The single sold well regionally and in the southeast US but did not chart nationally.
The band was now drawing crowds of over 2500 occasionally and entered at "Battle of The Bands" contest in Denver. The contest was won, however, by The Soul Survivors (not the same band as "Expressway to Your Heart" fame). The Soul Survivors lured Meisner away from The Dynamics and took off for California to seek a record deal. During that time, they changed their name to The Poor. The Poor released several excellent 45''s on Loma, York & Decca Records in 1966 & 1967, however with limited success.
Many California bands were moving toward a Country-Rock sound in the late 1960''s. Randy took up studio work and eventually became a founding member of Poco. The band also featured former Buffalo Springfield members, Richie Furay & Jim Messina along with Denver, CO friends of Randys'' - Rusty Young & George Grantham (formerly of The Boenzee Cryque). However, due to differences between Randy & the band over studio techniques and album sound, he left Poco just prior to the release of their first album "Pickin'' Up The Pieces", although his bass and vocals are heard on the album.
Shortly thereafter (1970), Randy joined Rick Nelson''s Stone Canyon Band, again on bass & backup vocals. They released the critically acclaimed "Rick Nelson - In Concert" - an excellent live album with Nelson moving toward a country-rock sound.
Randy also performed on Nelson''s "Rudy The Fifth" album. During this time, Randy was also doing considerable studio work, including performing as Linda Ronstadt''s studio and road band for 2 years. Joining Randy in this group were Don Henley, Glen Frey & Bernie Leadon. The foursome left to sign with Asylum Records and released their first album as "The Eagles" in June 1972.
After 1 1/2 years - "The Eagles" album went gold after charting 3 singles in the Top-40 ("Take It Easy" - "Witchy Woman" & "Peaceful Easy Feeling"). Their strong mix of rock, country & folk featuring excellent vocals - paved the way for major success to come.
With Randy''s high tenor vocals rounding out The Eagles strong harmonies, they released their 2nd album ("Desperado") in 1973. Their 3rd album ("On The Border") went gold in 3 months. During this time, The Eagles added a 5th member - Don Felder on guitar. "On The Border" featured their #1 hit "Best of My Love".
The Eagles 4th album, "One Of These Nights" was the first of 4 straight albums to top the charts. This album featured Top-10 hits "Lyin Eyes" and Randy Meisner''s signature song "Take It To The Limits". Co-written by and featuring the soaring lead vocals of Randy Meisner - "Take It To The Limits" has become a rock standard.
The Eagles first "Greatest Hits - 1971-75" was released in 1976 and has now topped 26 Million in sales and has been proclaimed to the "The Best Selling US Album of the 20th Century".
During this time, Bernie Leadon leaves the band and is replaced by former James Gang member, Joe Walsh. By the end of 1976 The Eagles release the classic "Hotel California" LP. In addition to the title cut, the album also features the hits "New Kid in Town" & "Life In The Fast Lane".
Randy makes a decision to leave The Eagles in 1977 to take some time off the road and consider a solo career. After returning to Scottsbluff, NE for a short while, Randy returns to California. In 1978 he released an LP titled "Randy Meisner" on Electra Records. Singing on the album and joining Randy''s band is former Dynamic Donnie Ullstrom from Scottsbluff, NE. A second LP "One More Song" is released in 1980 and singles "Hearts On Fire" & "Deep Inside My Heart" gain considerable airplay.
Randy also released 5 45-RPM singles from 1978 through 1982 on Asylum and Epic Records, including "Hearts On Fire" & "Deep Inside My Heart". "Hearts On Fire" was reissued on a Rhino Records compilation in 1995 and again on a Sony Special Projects compilation in 1996. "Bad Man" was featured on the sound track of the movie "FM" & "Deep Inside My Heart" was reissued in 1993 on Priority Records compilation.
Since 1972 - the bass playing and excellent vocals of Randy Meisner can be heard on 10 Eagles albums. In addition to the recordings mentioned above, Randy has performed on recordings by James Taylor, Joe Walsh, Dan Fogelberg, Danny O''Keefe, Mac Gayden, Bob Welch, Peter Lewis, Richie Furay, Richard Marx & Electric Range. Randy joined a reformed "Poco" in 1989 to record their "Legacy" album. In 1992 he was a member of "Black Tie" along with Billy Swan that had a country hit with a cover of Buddy Holly''s "Learning The Game".
During Randy''s tenure with The Eagles - the band and/or Eagles support staff was nominated for 8 Grammy''s. They won 4 Grammy''s. By the end of 1999 - RIAA had proclaimed "The Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-75" The Biggest Selling US Album of The 20th Century with sales at that time of over 26 Million. The Eagles'' 1976 release "Hotel California" has sold over 15 million copies. This makes The Eagles (with Randy Meisner on bass and vocals) the only band in the world to have 2 albums with sales in excess of 15 million.
"The Eagles - Their Greatest Hits 1971-75" has sold over 40 Million copies "World Wide" second only to Michael Jackson''s "Thriller". The Eagles'' US Career sales of over 65 Million copies sold is 5th best in history - behind only The Beatles, Garth Brooks, Led Zeppelin & Elvis Presley.
In 1999, Randy joined Eagles Glen Frey, Don Henley, Bernie Leadon, Joe Walsh, Timothy B. Schmidt and Don Felder on the stage at The National Rock & Roll Hall Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. This historic gathering was the first time all Eagles members performed together. Randy, as a member of The Eagles was then inducted into The Hall of Fame. This makes Randy Meisner, not only the best selling recording artist in Nebraska history, but also the only Nebraska based recording artist to be inducted in The National Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Randy is currently performing with "The World Classic Rockers" show with other major rock performers. He was inducted into The Nebraska Music Hall of Fame in Mitchell, NE on August 19, 2000. His original Nebraska band - The Drivin'' Dynamics", still performing to enthusiastic crowds some 39 years after inception, was also inducted into The Nebraska Music Hall of Fame on August 19, 2000 at a dance held at The Scotts Bluff County Fair, following Randy''s performance.