On January 10th, 1995, Meisner, Swan & Rich played the first of two nights at the Oregon Trail Lounge in Gering, Nebraska. The appearance was a homecoming for 48-year-old Randy, who was born and raised in the neighboring town of Scottsbluff. Richard Randall, a Colorado Springs media personality, was sent to Gering to film the concert and interview Randy for a short feature that was shown in Denver and Colorado Springs (watch it here). In addition to making this feature, Randall also created a much longer version of the piece that was never intended for broadcast. This longer version is presented here for the very first time. It includes much more of the interview with Randy, as well as full performances of a number of songs. It also features a rare interview with Randy’s parents, Herman and Emilie Meisner. Randy’s father, Herman, died only six months after the filming. His death prompted Randall to create this longer version, which shows Herman bragging and telling stories about his son, and send it to Randy. Randall recalled that it meant a great deal to Randy. Also interviewed in the piece were Billy Swan, Charlie Rich, Jr., Rusty Young, and Randy’s friend, Roger Frank. I am humbled and honored that Richard chose my site for the debut of this rare film. Making this footage even more poignant is the knowledge that Randy’s ashes are buried at West Lawn Cemetery in Gering, next to his parents. He has come home to stay.
Randy Meisner Comes Home
A film by Richard Randall
Do not republish without permission.
Band:
Randy Meisner (vocals, bass)
Billy Swan (vocals, guitar)
Allan Rich (aka Charlie Rich, Jr.) (vocals, keyboards)
Vern Monnett (guitar, pedal steel)
Ron Grinel (drums)
Songs performed:
“Lonesome Cowgirl”
“You Look Like Someone I Could Love”
“Hearts On Fire”
“Try And Love Again”
“Where The Rubber Meets The Road”
“Can’t Get Far On A Train Going Nowhere”
“My How Things Have Changed”
“Midnight Flyer”
“Take It To The Limit”
“One More Song”
Oh my gosh Jessica! This is such a treasure. Thanks to You & Richard Randall for sharing it with the world. Randy really has gone home. 😢 Now to finish watching the interview!
Thanks, Gwen! Enjoy it!
Randy was a great human being and musician!
Although I never met him, I can tell he had a heart of gold! I am a guitarist and songwriter and if I had a chance to write with any musician, it would have been Randy!
May God Bless him and may he Rest in Peace!
John from Woodstock, NY
Thank you for sharing this. Randy has the sweetest voice. He was by far the best Eagles band member. I never got to see Randy perform, but I love hearing him sing and talk.
Thank you so much for sharing this. What wonderful memories. Love listening to Randy speak. He is so kind. ❤️❤️
I agree. Glad you enjoyed it.❤
Oh, my, I loved this. Thank you so much for sharing!! He and his music will live on.
Indeed it will. Thanks, Kathy
Thank you. An hour of my life well spent watching “Randy Meisner Goes Home”
You’re welcome, Leah. Nice to hear from you.
Thank you so much for sharing this unique film Jessica…such a heartwarming and fitting tribute to Randy..much loved, so talented and humble.
It was an honor and a pleasure for me to share Richard’s film. It seemed to be just what we all needed right now.
Beautiful! What a fantastic gift to have this. I feel like I was invited into his very own living room. So heartwarming, down home, yet bittersweet watching how much he enjoyed sharing his music once again, with friends and family. Such a special human being! I will always love that we share the same home state.
Yes, heartwarming, yet bittersweet. I seem to run the gamut of emotions every time I watch it.
Thank You, Jessica and Richard Randall for the Great video! It’s so nice to know that there is a site so comprehensive about Randy and his life and career!! He has left the world a better place because of the gift of his music!!
I couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much!
This is so moving and special to see. Thank you Mr. Randall for sharing and thank you Jessica. What a treasure.
Absolutely.
This is fabulous! Way to go, Jessica!
I appreciate it, Janis! Thank you!
Beautiful I love this❤️💙🙏🏻
Enjoyable listening to Randy talk and sing. He was so special. Thanks for this gift.
You’re welcome, Eileen. It was an honor to be able to share it here.
Thank you so much Jessica for this wonderful tribute to Randy. Also it’s lovely to know that he will be laid to rest in his home town alongside his parents and amongst family and friends who loved him so much.
I agree. Evidently, he was very specific about his final wishes.
😭😢😩 It’s so hard to know that he’s gone. I always end up crying after visiting your website.
Jessica this is AMAZING…thank you for all you do!! Sue Rardin Stephens from RMMM 🙂
I appreciate it, Sue. Great to hear from you!
Jessica – this is solid gold !! I hardly have words. What a personal look into Randy’s life. And his parents were so proud of their son. I’m glad he knew that and just hope he knew how loved he was. Thank you and all who made this possible. Will be watching again. Awesome job.
It was so special to see his parents. They were so proud, and Richard said it meant so much to Randy to have that footage of them. Thanks for commenting, my friend. Glad you enjoyed it.
A new Randy Meisner convert, I have been digesting every link in your site since his passing. I suppose I am making up for lost time. I am so glad I discovered your website, this community and most importantly, his music.
Welcome, Amy! That’s great to hear. We’ve all been where you are and it’s the most exciting stage when you’re just devouring everything. Well, some of us are still at that stage years later! If you are looking for something specific or have a question. Don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Me too Jessica…me too.
Jessica, thank you for this… it was an hour well spent. The bright lights have faded to blue… rest in peace, Randy.
❤️
When you said, “The bright lights have faded to blue…”. That was my cue to start bawling.
Thank you, Jessica, for creating, expanding, and maintaining this website. Thank you, Richard, for sharing this wonderful concert footage. As others have commented, I too recently discovered Randy’s music, became smitten by it, and find it captivating. While many of us have only seen the early videos of Randy as a teenage heartthrob, watching this later recording brings us back to the reality that this person is an authentic human being who developed, grew and matured in life, in his music, and his relationships. It is so intimate, hearing from and seeing his parents, his lifelong friends, his hometown supporters. Again a heartfelt thank you for all the dedication and hard work that goes into preserving memories through this website.
I appreciate that. Thank you. I couldn’t agree more with what you said about Randy. The video showed him being real and down-to-earth. Completely unpretentious, which is always how he was anyway. But this video really illustrated it.
Thank you Jessica for all you do. Randy was the best and he’ll be missed by us all.
Thanks for sharing this. Randy is missed!
I recorded a show here on Clearwater Beach around this same time period but my mini-disc player is on the fritz so I need to repair it so I can enjoy their show.
I’m from the same area (hour away) that Randy was from in western Nebraska . Sure he had some demons later in life, but to me he will always be a LEGEND. I’ve watched this about a half dz times. The Eagles were never the same without him.
So true, Bob. Thank you.
So very true Bob. So *very* true. He let a little bit slip when he sort of commented on the egos and money being a game changer and how he’s not so into that, but boy oh boy did that cause a lot of problems. He never did get the recognition or respect he deserved while he was with them, but you know what? He’s getting it now. Unfortunately, he’s not physically here to see or hear it, but I have to believe that in my heart of hearts, he knows how much he meant to those who were close to him. Sometimes life just isn’t “fair” in the ways we want it to be, but ultimately, God knows all things, and He judges, not us~ (and aren’t they lucky for that!)
This is indeed invaluable footage of a talented yet humble, sweet human being. I was a young girl of about 9 or 10 when I first heard Take it to the Limit on radio in Australia. I was captivated by the emotion of the singer. I never forgot how much that song/singer affected me. It took many years and the introduction of the internet before I was able to put a face to the voice. Man oh man, handsome and cute too with the most gorgeous and genuine smile. I love music in general, all sorts of genres yet I am always drawn back to Randy’s music. Thank you for compiling and sharing so much information and footage about Randy’s life. So grateful. And Randy, thank you for the blessing of sharing your talent with us all. Rest in Peace 💞
Appreciate your comment, Catherine. Thank you.
Thank you Jessica. I love how this video shows how humble, compassionate, kind and so very, very talented Randy was. Fly high Randy .
Beautiful creation!! Thanks for sharing. I don’t know how I missed this, but I haven’t seen this long version. What a a wonderful way to remember him. RIP Randy.
His parents were so proud of him and he didn’t have the stress that he had with the Eagles. Rest in peace Randy.
I’m so happy I found your website as Randy Meisner is such a fantabulous musician and the best Eagle hands down! This was such a personal view of Randy where you can see the gentle soul he really was. Thx for this site and the interview. Rest in peace Randy.
Thank you for sharing this. Randy has a such a beautiful voice. I never got to see him perform in person. He was by far the best Eagles band member. He has a beautiful singing voice and soul. I love listening to him sing.
Thank you for sharing this! I am one of the luckiest ones who got to see and meet him when he played Club Foot ATX in 1981, just after One More Song. Sweetest, most beautiful, and best of the very best musical minds. Once in a lifetime person and musician.🎶🙏🎸
How lovely, Dr. Bashara. Thank you.
Precious! 🌹🎸🎶🦅❤️
Nice story. I often think about Joe Walsh saying how Randy really didn’t know how great he was!!
Holy macaroni … I couldn’t have watched a better video of Meis! There are special performances for me, Largo, MD 1977, and the POCO video “Nowhere to Hide” being two, but listening to him talk extensively, especially at that age, is my new Best of the Best! A million thank yous, Jessica. God bless.
Much appreciated. Glad you enjoyed it.
Jessica, I may have said this before but this my all time favorite!!! I watch it over and over. Hearing Randy talk and sing, it’s just awesome!!! Thank you and Richard Randall for sharing this with us!♥️♥️♥️
You’re welcome! It’s a favorite of mine also. Randy’s very relaxed and natural here.