Black Tie was a country-rock group formed by Randy Meisner, Jimmy Griffin, and Billy Swan in 1985.
Black Tie’s only album, When The Night Falls, was released on producer Reggie Fisher’s private label, Bench Records in 1985. It was the only album ever released on the label. Randy sings lead on only one song: Buddy Holly’s “Learning The Game.” It’s unclear whether he plays bass on all tracks since more than one bassist is mentioned in the credits (i.e. Jerry Scheff and Kerry Morris).
Album photos (from author’s personal collection)
“Learning the Game” (LP version – Randy on lead vocals)
“If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody”
Black Tie’s first single, James Ray’s 1961 hit, “If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody,” was released in the summer of 1985. Jimmy Griffin sang lead on the track.
Black Tie at a release party for “If You Gotta Make A Fool Of Somebody.”
In the following Cash Box article, Randy talked about the differences between the Eagles and Black Tie:
Cash Box, August 17, 1985
“With The Eagles, as I think it is with any group, you’ve got four or five members and each just gets a little bit. He doesn’t get to do everything he wants to get across. What’s been nice about this is that we’ve been able to do a lot more. There’s a real openness.”
Black Tie in 1986 (L-R: Jimmy Griffin, Randy Meisner, Billy Swan)
Photo: Richard Walton
Publicity photo
When The Night Falls CD Reissue (1990)
For the CD reissue in 1990, “Learning The Game” was re-recorded with Jimmy Griffin singing lead. This was not mentioned in any of the publicity for the disc. Randy does not sing lead on any other track.
Concert History
via the Randy Meisner Concert Archive
Former Eagle, Bernie Leadon, appeared as a guest with Black Tie for some concert dates in 1985.
| September 28, 1985 | Civic Center | Los Angeles, CA | Los Angeles Street Scene Festival |
| November 14, 1985 | Belly Up Tavern | Solana Beach, CA | Debut club performance. Bernie Leadon performs with the band. |
| December 7, 1985 | Madame Wong’s West | Santa Monica, CA | Bernie Leadon performs with the band |
| January 25-27, 1986 | The Lone Star Cafe | Brooklyn, NY | Bernie Leadon performs with the band |
| January 30, 1986 | Jonathan Swift’s | Boston, MA | Blondie Chaplin replaces Bernie Leadon |
| February 2, 1986 | The Station | Wilkes-Barre, PA | |
| February 8, 1986 | Harlow’s | Atlanta, GA | |
| February 9, 1986 | Music Row Showcase Club | Nashville, TN | |
| February 11, 1986 | Mississippi Nights | St. Louis, MO | |
| June 7, 1986 | Camp Kiwanis | Scottsbluff, NE | Music Fest ’86 |
| June 17, 1986 | Cinegrill | Hollywood, CA | |
| July 8, 1986 | Cinegrill | Hollywood, CA |
Randy appeared with Black Tie at a music festival in his hometown of Scottsbluff, NE in June 1986:
Black Tie Two
Black Tie parted ways in 1986. Following the split, Randy toured with Rick Roberts as The Roberts-Meisner Band, then reunited with the original members of Poco for an album, Legacy, and a tour. In 1991, Reggie Fisher reassembled Black Tie, adding a new member, Charlie Rich, Jr, with the hopes of recording a second album. One song was released from these sessions, “I’m Sure Of You,” co-written by Rich and Billy Swan, which became a minor hit on the country charts in 1992. Years later, in 2006, Fisher issued an internet-only, 3-song EP called Black Tie Two (or just Two), which included “I’m Sure of You” and “Listen to the Radio,” as well as a version of “Away In A Manger.”
Below (clockwise from top: Reggie Fisher, Randy Meisner, Jimmy Griffin and Billy Swan)
Meisner, Rich & Swan
Black Tie disbanded for good in 1992. Jimmy Griffin left to focus on his group, The Remingtons, with Richard Mainegra and Rick Yancy. The remaining band members, Randy, Billy Swan and Charlie Rich, Jr decided to stick together and form their own group called Meisner, Rich & Swan.