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Introduction
TIMOTHY B. SCHMIT LOST THE POCO JOB TO RANDY MEISNER—THEN REPLACED HIM TWICE
Timothy B. Schmit’s journey to the Eagles is one of rock music’s most remarkable stories of patience, perseverance, and perfect timing. In 1968, Schmit auditioned for a new country-rock group that would eventually become known as Poco. He was talented, ambitious, and eager to join, but the position went to another gifted bassist and singer: Randy Meisner. For many young musicians, such a rejection might have felt like the end of a dream. For Schmit, however, it was only the beginning of an extraordinary chain of events.
Less than a year later, Meisner left Poco, and Schmit received another opportunity. In 1969, he joined the band he had once hoped to enter, beginning an important chapter that would help shape his musical identity. Over the next eight years, Schmit developed his distinctive high tenor voice, refined his bass playing, and contributed to Poco’s evolving country-rock sound. Meanwhile, Meisner became a founding member of the Eagles and helped transform the group into one of the biggest bands of the 1970s.
Then history repeated itself. In 1977, after years of exhausting tours, mounting pressure, and internal tension, Meisner departed from the Eagles. Once again, Schmit was selected to take his place. It was an unusual coincidence: the same musician had now followed Meisner into two major bands, eight years apart.
Joining the Eagles changed Schmit’s life forever. He became part of a group already enjoying enormous international success, but he quickly proved that he was far more than simply a replacement. On the Eagles’ 1979 album The Long Run, Schmit co-wrote and sang lead vocals on “I Can’t Tell You Why.” The song’s gentle rhythm, emotional lyrics, and unforgettable falsetto made it one of the album’s defining moments and eventually one of the Eagles’ most beloved ballads.
The first time, Randy Meisner received the job Timothy B. Schmit wanted. The next two times Meisner walked away, Schmit was the man chosen to follow him. What initially appeared to be rejection ultimately became preparation for a legendary career.