RIP Randy Meisner

[RBSinTo]

I was not an Eagles fan. Maybe Tequila Sunrise, that about it. Still, The James Gang was awesome!

Westerly Wood,
Neither was or am I, so I really know nothing about them or their internal squabbles, but I love "Desperado", and really nothing else they did.
RBSinTo

 

[Bernie]

Read somewhere he was more and more reluctant to sing his hit Take it to the Limit with the Eagles ; he's doing well here, isn't he?

Randy Meisner was on the Hotel California album as a singer/songwriter too, with 'Gonna Try And Love Again' Tom (that was 1976 I think)...

 

[silverfox103]

RIP. Boy did he get screwed over by Don and Glenn.

As did Don Felder, but I'm pretty sure they had to pay him dearly. Don H. and Glenn deserved each other. But they're living in the past, they probably haven't had a hit in over 40 years. That's a long time.

Tom

 

[richardp69]

I liked the Eagles when I was younger (mainly for their Linda Ronstadt and Dan Fogelberg connections), but they had worn pretty thin after hearing "Hotel California" for the 19 millionth time. My ex, however, was a huge fan and despite my loathing of Don Henley (who thought they "deserved" their top ticket price of $350 to the "Hell Freezes Over" tour in 1996), I agreed to watch the two part HBO documentary when it was released. What that taught me was that Glenn Frey was even more loathsome, and I came away form that experience hating them even more. The three of them are neck and neck with Robbie Robertson when is comes to adeptness at screwing your bandmates.

Still love Joe, though!

Man, I love all those people you hate. Likely says something about me I guess.

 

[tonepoet]

The James Gang was awesome!

I know this has nothing to do with Randy Meisner, but The James Gang was the Joe Walsh period for me, especially the "Rides Again" album and the "Thirds" album. Jim Fox's drumming on the "Rides Again" album is just so... crisp, clean and punchy. I wore that vinyl album out back in the day and still have it on vinyl.

I always thought this tune represented the James Gang quite well. Joe Walsh's guitar, Dale Peters' bass and Jim Fox's crisp drumming.

 

[tonepoet]

I recall seeing the Eagles first on some TV concert show back when they first came out and they just had that feel about them that said they were going to hit big. I'm not clear on all their personality issues, so I'll stick to the music.

One song I like to point out to people as an excellent example of "Group Sound" is "One of These Nights".

What I mean by "group sound" is where each band member plays a very simple part on their instrument, but, as a whole, it sounds so full as a band.

And in this one, the way the intro builds up with the addition of one simple part after another, I think is brilliant. (my 2 cents worth).

 

[Rocky]

I recall seeing the Eagles first on some TV concert show back when they first came out and they just had that feel about them that said they were going to hit big. I'm not clear on all their personality issues, so I'll stick to the music.

One song I like to point out to people as an excellent example of "Group Sound" is "One of These Nights".

What I mean by "group sound" is where each band member plays a very simple part on their instrument, but, as a whole, it sounds so full as a band.

And in this one, the way the intro builds up with the addition of one simple part after another, I think is brilliant. (my 2 cents worth).

Yep. Leadon's solo is pretty epic too.

RIP Randy.

 

[twocorgis]

Man, I love all those people you hate. Likely says something about me I guess.

It's all good Rich. That's why they make a lot of different music!

 

[Bernie]

I wonder if their backing up Linda Ronstadt had any incidence on their high pitched voices : I'm still amazed hearing Don Henley singing Hotel California (in Bm) after all these years, as he seems to keep doing it just as well...Nobody can sing that song in B with his true voice (not falsetto) like he does (not even youngsters), and he must be close to 80 years old by now !!

Do they have some trick only women can tell ?

 

[fronobulax]

Nobody can sing that song in B with his true voice (not falsetto) like he does (not even youngsters), and he must be close to 80 years old by

Research counter-tenors, male contraltos and operatic singing techniques in general. If you know what you are doing the audience won't really know when you switch from chest voice to head voice.

 

[Bernie]

Well I am a singer and I can make the difference ; don't under estimate what he does every time he sings the song...
I've heard quite a few good singers trying to do well on what they used to do, guys like Ian Gillan or David Gilmour for instance, and none of them succeeded in making me forget they'd better try to change keys or find some other way...

I don't feel this way when hearing Don Henley.

 

[fronobulax]

Well I am a singer and I can make the difference ; don't under estimate what he does every time he sings the song...
I've heard quite a few good singers trying to do well on what they used to do, guys like Ian Gillan or David Gilmour for instance, and none of them succeeded in making me forget they'd better try to change keys or find some other way...

I don't feel this way when hearing Don Henley.

I don't agree with your claim that he is not using head voice. I do agree that the fact that it is difficult to tell indicates talent and training and not everyone who attempts it has either or both. But I am not especially impressed by an effortless high B since effortless high C's are common in my world, but maybe not in rock and roll.

 

[Bernie]

An effortless high B ? Actually I meant singing the song in B minor. Forgot to say it that 2nd time...I think Don Henley only reaches a high Bb when he ends up with his 'you can never leave' (highest note I think)...But its not effortless and that's why I like it (it's this rough rock voice that makes all the difference). An opera singer wouldn't have that same intensity there...
Btw, I don't like Opera unless its Roger Daltrey who sings Tommy (I can't be saved no doubt )...Each one his own tastes, but there's a mix of wilderness and restrain at the same time it seems, that's very difficult to achieve (or rare at least I reckon)...

 

[fronobulax]

An effortless high B ? Actually I meant singing the song in B minor. Forgot to say it that 2nd time...I think Don Henley only reaches a high Bb when he ends up with his 'you can never leave' (highest note I think)...But its not effortless and that's why I like it (it's this rough rock voice that makes all the difference). An opera singer wouldn't have that same intensity there...
Btw, I don't like Opera unless its Roger Daltrey who sings Tommy (I can't be saved no doubt )...Each one his own tastes, but there's a mix of wilderness and restrain at the same time it seems, that's very difficult to achieve (or rare at least I reckon)...

I'll shut up now since I don't get your point and you have missed mine.

 

[HeyMikey]

I'll shut up now since I don't get your point and you have missed mine.

Well, I think I get both your points so will keep the conversation going because it is relevant to me. I was never a singer, so I started taking vocal lessons a few years ago from an instructor with an Opera background.

Being a baratone (which I never knew) means I simply can’t naturally hit most “high” notes present in a lot of rock songs. Many of our favorite rock singers are natural tenors, so can hit those high A, B or even C’s in full voice. To Bernie’s point very few can do it and sound really good. Technique and practice helps, but to a certain extent you either have that natural physical ability or you don’t. I’ve played with a few guys who were born with naturally beautiful, effortless high singing voices. I’ve learned to despise them.

I sound like the Aflack duck or a monkey who’s just had his banana taken away when I try to go too high in my full voice. For me and many others, learning how to use falsetto or a mixed voice is necessary to make those high notes sound Ok.

To Frono’s point good technique can extend your perceived range. Learning to transition “smoothly” between full, mixed, and falsetto can make it appear to many that the singer has a naturally higher range than they truly do. Some singers do it extremely well. With modern voice conditioning you would never know unless you listen closely and dissect their work.