Randy toured Japan a number of times throughout his career. Here I’m going to focus on his initial visit with the Eagles in February 1976, with photos, a translated article about the band’s time in Japan, the first known live recording of “Take It To The Limit,” plus audio from three concerts. Don’t miss the yells for Randy.
“For some reason they love me.”
(Randy on his Japanese fans, Stuart News, December 16th, 1982)
On January 20th, 1976, the Eagles embarked on a tour of New Zealand, Australia and Japan. It was Joe Walsh’s first tour as a member of the band. Joe was a replacement for original member, Bernie Leadon, who departed at the end of 1975. After ten days in Australia, the Eagles landed in Tokyo on January 31st.
Tour Dates
| February 2-3, 1976 | Osaka Festival Hall, Osaka |
| February 4, 1976 | Fukuoka Kyuden Gymnasium, Fukuoka |
| February 5, 1976 | International House, Kobe |
| February 7, 1976 | Nippon Budokan, Tokyo |
| February 9, 1976 | Assembly Hall, Nagoya |
In the lead-up to their arrival, the Eagles appeared on the cover of the Japanese magazine Music Life, February 1976:
Arrival
The Eagles arrived at Haneda airport in Tokyo at 6:00AM on January 31st, 1976.1 Randy’s wife, Jennifer and their eldest son, Dana, accompanied him on the tour.
Photos: Koh Hasebe
See more photos of the arrival here.
Randy signing autographs at the airport. Dana Meisner at bottom right.
(Screen captures from Meisner home movie footage. Courtesy of the Meisner Family. Shared with permission.)
Randy was adored by the Japanese fans. Jennifer Meisner recalled one fan in particular named Paku, who “loved Randy”: “He followed us everywhere. He was always giving gifts. He was so amazing.”
Randy with a female fan. Photo by Jennifer Meisner.
Press Conference
Sometime after their arrival, the Eagles gave a press conference at the Tokyo Hilton and posed for photos. The Hilton served as the band’s home base for their Japanese tour. (Photos: Koh Hasebe)
See more photos of the press conference here.
Music Life article
The following article about the Eagles first tour of Japan appeared in Music Life magazine in April 1976. It covered the press conference, their stage setup and equipment, plus shopping sprees for cameras and toys. Including Randy’s attempt to buy an engine-powered helicopter for his son. Each band member is described. Randy was seen as “warm” and “always smiling.” He was also described as a “gentle father” and “family-oriented.” See translation below the article.
Special thanks to my friend, Yu Murakami Mikuni, for providing the images of the article and for her help in translating the text. I am forever grateful for her hours of hard work. Please check out Yu’s fantastic Youtube channel called Yu’s Rock’n, which is dedicated to her impressive collection of Music Life magazines: YU’s Rock’n
Some Japanese words do not translate exactly into English or have a different meaning. Yu and I did our best to translate the text so that it would make sense in English and still convey the author’s original thoughts.
Randy took this photo of Jennifer and Dana with Japanese record executives, who had asked to pose with them. Jennifer is wearing Randy’s gold Eagle pendant, which had his name inscribed on the back. Each of the original four band members were given these pendants in 1972 (see Randy wearing the necklace here.) Photo courtesy of Jennifer Meisner.
SIGHTSEEING
Tokyo Temple Garden
Photo below taken by Dana Meisner
L-R: Eagles roadie Tony Taibi, Jennifer, Randy, and Glenn Frey
Screen captures from Meisner home movie footage. Courtesy of the Meisner Family. Shared with permission.
Eating at a Japanese restaurant…with chopsticks.
Concerts
Most of the live images I have found are from the show at Budokan on February 7th. Note that Randy is playing a rare Fender Telecaster bass.
Audience Recordings
“When Randy would sing ‘Take It To The Limit’ in Japan, it was mass hysteria.” (Glenn Frey, 2003)
Provided here are recordings from three of the Japanese shows: Osaka Festival Hall on February 2nd & 3rd, and Budokan in Tokyo on February 7th. For each date, I separated out the three songs Randy performed: “Take It To The Limit,” “Midnight Flyer, and “Too Many Hands.”
The first recording is from the Eagles’ Japanese debut at Osaka Festival Hall on February 2nd. It was the first of two nights at the venue. The recording of “Take It To The Limit” from this show is perhaps the first time we ever hear Randy perform the song live.2
“Randy!”
One important detail about the Osaka shows is the audible yelling for Randy from audience members, especially during the February 3rd show. These shouts sound like both “Randee” and “Rand-eye.” I asked Yu about the latter pronunciation. She explained:
“Randy’s name is written ‘ランディー’ in Japanese and it should be pronounced ‘Rand-ee.’ But Japanese people who are not used to speaking English might say ‘Rand-eh’ or ‘Rand-ei.'”
Earbuds or headphones strongly recommended.
Festival Hall, Osaka, February 2nd, 1976:
“Take It To The Limit”
This is possibly the first known live recording of “Take It To The Limit.” As you will hear, Randy performed the song somewhat differently early on. He did not hold the high note as long as he did in later performances. He also added some vocal flourishes to the end.
“Midnight Flyer”
Before the songs begins, we hear at least one or two of the guys (Joe and Randy?) popping their cheeks with their fingers. An audience member seems to yell for Randy. Someone (maybe Joe) says “yeah.” Joe intros the song: “We’re gonna play some bluegrass!”
“Too Many Hands”
“This is for everyone in the balcony,” says Joe. This is also the first time we hear Joe perform this song with the Eagles. I think we hear more yelling for Randy after the song and right before they go into the next song, “Good Day In Hell.”
Full Concert
Don’t miss “One Of These Nights,” where Randy hits notes only dogs can hear.
Setlist:
Take It Easy
Outlaw Man
Doolin’ Dalton/Desperado Reprise
Turn To Stone
Lyin’ Eyes
You Never Cry Like A Lover
Take It To The Limit
Desperado
Midnight Flyer
Already Gone
One Of These Nights
Too Many Hands
Good Day In Hell
Witchy Woman
Rocky Mountain Way
James Dean
The Best Of My Love
Funk #49
Tequila Sunrise
Festival Hall, Osaka, February 3rd, 1976:
In my opinion, this is the best recording of the three.
“Take It To The Limit”
Someone counts off at the beginning, possibly Randy. There’s a yell for Randy at the end of the song.
“Midnight Flyer”
Perhaps one of the hottest versions of “Midnight Flyer” I have heard. After the song, at around the 4:43 mark, Glenn tells the audience how much he loves saki (perhaps they are drinking it onstage). Two audience members yell for Randy and Glenn responds, “Randy!”
“Too Many Hands”
Yells for Randy at the beginning and end.
Full Concert
As you will hear in the full concert, there are audible yells for Randy throughout, usually before and after songs. The first noticeable yell is after “Outlaw Man.” Can’t blame them, Randy’s bass was probably smoking. I have pointed out in the setlist other places to listen. Sometimes you have listen very closely. Earbuds or headphones help.
Setlist:
Take It Easy
Outlaw Man (yells after)
Doolin’ Dalton/Desperado Reprise
Turn To Stone
Lyin’ Eyes (yells before)
You Never Cry Like A Lover
Take It To The Limit (yells after)
Desperado
Midnight Flyer (yells after)
One Of These Nights (yells after. Again, Randy’s high notes probably shattered glass)
Already Gone
Too Many Hands (yells after)
Good Day In Hell (yells after)
Witchy Woman
Rocky Mountain Way
James Dean (yells after)
The Best Of My Love (yells after)
Funk #49
Oh Carol (several yells after)
Tequila Sunrise
Budokan, Tokyo, February 7th, 1976:
“Take It To The Limit”
After the line “You can spend all your time making money,” Randy adds: “Yes, you can.”
“Midnight Flyer”
Joe intros the song. Audience claps along.
“Too Many Hands”
Yells for Randy before and after.
Full Concert
Setlist:
Take It Easy
Outlaw Man
Doolin’ Dalton/Desperado Reprise
Turn To Stone
Lyin’ Eyes
You Never Cry Like A Lover
Take It To The Limit
Desperado
Midnight Flyer
One Of These Nights
Already Gone
Too Many Hands
Good Day In Hell
Witchy Woman
Rocky Mountain Way
James Dean
The Best Of My Love
Funk #49
Oh Carol
Tour Book
The Eagles played one date at the Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii on February 12th before returning to the mainland. After he left the Eagles in 1977, Randy returned to Japan at least three more times: twice as a solo act in 1981 and 1983, and with Poco in 1990.
NOTES
My heartfelt thanks to Jennifer Meisner and Dana Meisner for…everything.
1Frank Zappa & the Mothers of Invention arrived at the airport on the same day as the Eagles. The Mothers toured and played the same cities in Japan, but different venues.
2There is a bootleg floating around of the Eagles in Sydney, Australia on January 27th, 1976 (aka The Eagles: Crazed & Snake-Eyed), but “Take It To The Limit” is not among the tracks, although it was most likely performed.
Congratulations on this prized piece of work. It’s absolutely amazing! Thank You so Much for all your hard work! 🤗
Appreciate it, as always, my friend.
As always, thanks for your hard work in bringing this to us!
You’re welcome, Mark! Always a pleasure to hear from you.
I really loved the Music Life article. randy wanting to buy the helicopter for his son. So sweet. Also adored all the yelling for ‘Randei!’ in the concert. Great work!
So glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for reading!
Wow Jessica! This is awesome. Thank you so much for your hard work. Very interesting!
My pleasure, Melody! Great to hear from you!
Amazing work as always, great to be able to listen to the concerts.
Thank you!
You’re welcome! So happy you enjoyed it!
What a great read! Jessica, your articles are always very interesting but this one is exceptional. Thank you so much for all your hard work.
I appreciate it, Judy. Thank you!