Which Eagles member played bass on "Hotel California"?

Randy Meisner played bass on the Eagles’ recording of “Hotel California.”

Meisner was the Eagles’ original bassist and a founding member, known for his high harmony vocals as well as his steady melodic bass playing. On “Hotel California,” he is credited with bass and backing vocals, supporting the song’s layered arrangement beneath Don Henley’s lead vocal and the intertwined guitar work of Don Felder and Joe Walsh.

The song was recorded for the Eagles’ fifth studio album, Hotel California, released in 1976. The album marked Joe Walsh’s first Eagles appearance, but Walsh played electric guitar and organ rather than bass on the title track. Glenn Frey played guitar and contributed backing vocals, while Henley handled drums, percussion, and lead vocals.

Hotel California was Meisner’s last Eagles studio album. He left the band after the touring cycle that followed its release and was replaced by Timothy B. Schmit, his former Poco bandmate. That personnel change is a common source of confusion when listeners identify the bassist associated with later Eagles performances.