2016 has not been good to original Eagles bass player Randy Meisner. Meisner was shocked by the death of former band mate Glen Frey in January. Then, yesterday, his wife Lana apparently accidentally shot and killed herself in the closet of their home in California. This happened less than two hours after she had called 911 to report a domestic violence dispute between the two.

The accident is said to have happened when Lana was moving a rifle that was stored in the closet. Los Angeles Police are investigating it as an accident, not a homicide or suicide, at this point.

Meisner was an original member of Poco, then The Eagles. He’s best known as the writer and lead singer on The Eagles hit, “Take it to the Limit.” Meisner played on The Eagles first six albums, from 1971-77 before leaving the band, citing “exhaustion.”

Meisner was admittedly shy and didn’t enjoy the spotlight of being in one of the world’s most popular bands, nor did he enjoy the in-fighting between members. His voice suffered due to health problems and addictions through the years. He was not invited to join The Eagles on any of their reunion appearances.

In 2015, he and his wife denied rumors that she was keeping him drunk to pacify him. A friend of his, James Newton went to court to get a conservator to oversee his prescription usage. Meisner, according to Newton, was suicidal at times and diagnosed to be bipolar. Sad all around.

Doc Watson