Randy was the musical guest on the late-night television show, Friday’s on February 27th, 1981. The show was filmed in Los Angeles and telecast live to East Coast viewers at 11:30pm (West Coast viewers saw a taped recording). The episode featured Billy Crystal as the guest. Randy performed two songs from his recent album, One More Song: “Hearts On Fire” and “Gotta Get Away.” Watch both performances below, plus the closing credits filmed backstage.
Randy was backed by his touring band The Silverados: Bryan Garofalo – bass Craig Krampf – drums Craig Hull – guitar Josh Leo – guitar Sterling Smith – keyboards Don Francisco – percussion Terese Heston – vocals
“Hearts On Fire”
“Gotta Get Away”
Closing Credits
Randy is on the left-hand side between Terese Heston and cast member Maryedith Burrell. Others in the clip include Melanie Chartoff with the microphone. Billy Crystal (in makeup), Larry David behind Burrell in glasses. As the camera pulls back, Michael Richards (Kramer from Seinfeld), plus other members of the Silverados.
The next night, Randy and his band played the Rainbow Music Hall in Denver, CO. The concert was recorded and later released on CD in 2018 as Live In Denver. Listen here.
Randy and his backing band, the Silverados, played two shows each night at The Bottom Line. Rosanne Cash opened.
New York Times, March 8, 1981
New York Magazine, March 9, 1981
Randy’s two-night stint at the Bottom Line turned out to be disastrous for him. He was sick with laryngitis, there were sound issues, and he even walked offstage during the early show on the first night. Making matters worse, the audience was filled with New York music critics and representatives from his record company, Epic Records. One could pass it off as just a bad night, but having a bad night in a popular New York City venue makes headlines. Sadly, this is how it turned out for Randy.
During the early (9:00pm) show on March 11th, Randy performed about five songs before stomping offstage after being heckled by a member of the audience. He had been annoyed with the Bottom Line’s sound system, griping at one point: “I’m sorry I can’t play guitar for ya. If I can’t hear it, I can’t play it.” He was also struggling with his voice due to laryngitis. Right before the song “Hearts On Fire,” from his latest album, One More Song, Randy commented on his vocal problems: “The Silverados are doing a lot better than I am tonight,” which drew a response from a heckler: “That’s for sure!” Several in the audience applauded the heckler. Randy responded by laying down his guitar and walking offstage, leaving one of his male band members to finish the song. He did not return. Randy explained later, “I had to go to the dressing room, pound on the bathroom wall and get it out of my system. It’s that old showbiz thing–you gotta keep on smiling.” Randy came back for the late show that night and performed his entire set with no issues. He did the same for the two shows the next evening as well. Nevertheless, it was the first night’s debacle that became fodder for the newspapers.
In the April 30th, 1981 issue of Rolling Stone, the incident was detailed on the magazine’s “Random Notes” page:
Beginning in 1974, Rolling Stone began syndicating its “Random Notes” column to reach a wider audience, therefore the story of Randy’s opening at the Bottom Line was featured in over 100 newspapers across the country. Below is a sampling of the Bottom Line incident from a few of those newspapers:
The incident was also published in Billboard magazine, April 4, 1981:
Reviews
The most mean-spirited review was from Wayne Robins’ of Long Island’s Newsday, who said he wanted to “shake Meisner by the shoulders and say, ‘This is New York, cowboy, quit kvetching and start playing.'” However, his comments about Randy’s backup singer, Therese Heston, were all the more harsh. “Wearing Sergio Valentes, the designer jeans of the terminally macho, she constantly pointed attention to herself by idiotically strumming an invisible guitar. In every song, she seemed to be saying, ‘Look at me! I’m on the stage!'”
The short New York Times’ review wasn’t much better, but did say Randy’s late show performance was an improvement, but “not very interesting.”
Randy with his band: Denny Carmassi on drums, Dixon House (top) on keyboards, Tom Erak on bass and Sterling Smith on piano. (Exponent, November 9, 1982)
On March 1st, 1981, Randy played Pogo’s Electric Cowboy in Omaha in his home state of Nebraska.
UNO Gateway, February 27, 1981
Attending the show that night were Randy’s parents, Herman and Emilie, who had made the trip from his hometown of Scottsbluff. After the show, his parents stood on stage with him onstage as Randy was given the keys to the city by Carol Veys, daughter of Mayor Al Veys. Not to be left out, Randy’s mom was given a silver plate engraved with the city seal. Randy thanked Ms. Veys with a kiss on the cheek and, since it was her 25th birthday, presented her with a cake.
Omaha World-Herald, March 2, 1981
In the lead up to the concert, Randy was interviewed by Steve Millburg from the Omaha World-Herald where he discussed living in Palm Springs and his decision not to retire from music after he left the Eagles (“I could have.”)
This was a free concert. The show started almost two hours late due to rain and temperatures in the 50s.
Pine Knot Yearbook, 1974
The preview of the concert below features a nice little write-up about Randy. The only inaccuracy is that it states that the first Poco album, Pickin’ Up The Pieces, made no mention of Randy. He is acknowledged in the credits, but not pictured.
Below, a couple tries to stay warm waiting for the concert to begin.
Randy opened for The Beach Boys in his first concert appearance in two-and-a-half years.
Houston Chronicle, February 1, 1981
Critics praised Randy’s performance, and his opening set was a highlight of the evening.
Bob Claypool, Houston Post, February 13, 1981:
“On a brighter note, there was a fine opening set from former Eagle Randy Meisner, who had plenty of new stuff to offer, including such country-rockers as ‘Hearts On Fire’ and “Come On Back to Me.”
Dale Adamson, Houston Chronicle, February 14, 1981:
“The only real bright spot to Thursday’s show was ex-Eagle Randy Meisner’s opening set. Although he hasn’t quite developed into a forceful bandleader yet, his group’s tight harmonies and bright country rock sound–particularly on tunes like ‘Heart’s On Fire’ and ‘Trouble Ahead’–provided the only fully satisfying musical moments in an otherwise altogether forgettable evening.”
Photos via Rockin’ Houston
Randy backstage with local Houston rock photographer Larry Lent:
Reviews
Houston Post, February 13, 1981
Houston Chronicle, February 14, 1981
Following the concert, Randy gave a rare and candid interview to Dale Adamson of the HoustonChronicle. Read it below:
Randy Meisner returned to the stage in Houston, Texas on February 12th, 1981, following a two-and-a-half year absence from performing. After the show, he sat down with Dale Adamson of the Houston Chronicle for a candid backstage interview.
