The Meisner, Swan and Rich Band was formed out of Black Tie when Jimmy Griffin left Black Tie to start another band called the Remingtons. According to Charlie (AKA Allan) Rich’s website, in 1992 he joined Randy Meisner and Billy Swan, who had both remained in Black Tie. The three formed a super group, and eventually renamed the band calling it Meisner, Rich and Swan. But, because of a printing error of their band name on the cover of their CD, they had to change their name to Meisner, Swan and Rich.
From about 1992 through 1996 they performed at various venues, both in the U.S. and out of the country. There are lots of articles and photos below of some of the different concerts they played. Early on, they were also occasionally referred to as the Randy Meisner Band or Kindred Spirits. Vern Monnett was their lead guitar and steel player.
Charlie Rich, Jr.’s thoughts and observations (from his website) of Randy Meisner and Billy Swan:
“When we started getting the show together, one thing Randy was a stickler for was having the band well rehearsed.”
“Randy would usually bring some donuts and coffee. Maple donuts, by the way. Then we would rehearse all morning, take a lunch break, grab a falafel, and right back for more rehearsals.”
“Temecula, California. Our first show together. After the show ended I knew I was a part of something special.”
“Eventually Billy and I would start another group with Randy Meisner. This time it would be called very simply, Meisner, Swan & Rich.”
Charlie Rich, Jr., John Godley, Randy Meisner, and Billy Swan
The Meisner, Swan and Rich story from the CD liner notes
Meisner, Swan & Rich CD
CD Cover
CD
Song List
Lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics
My How Things Have Changed
It’s Like I Never Had A Broken Heart
Where the Rubber Meets the Road
Below are photos and newspaper ads and articles about various performances of the Meisner, Swan and Rich Band
Dos Gringos in Temecula, CA – First show as Meisner, Rich & Swan June 17-18, 1992
“The three met while doing recording sessions in Los Angeles. Finding that they had a musical and personal rapport, they decided to pool their considerable talents and become Meisner, Rich and Swan.”
The Californian (Temecula, CA) – June 16, 1992
The Californian (Temecula, CA) – June 17, 1992
The Strand in Redondo Beach, CA – Aug. 20, 1992
LA Weekly (Los Angeles, CA) – Aug. 20, 1992
Belly-Up Tavern in Solana Beach, CA – Aug. 27, 1992
The Californian (Temecula, CA) – Aug. 21, 1992
Konocti Harbor Resort in Kelseyville, CA – Nov. 21, 1992
Vern Monnett, Jim Messina, and Randy Meisner
at Konocti Harbor Resort
Ventura Concert Theatre in Ventura, CA – Feb. 13, 1993
Oxnard Star Free Press (Ventura, CA) – Feb. 12, 1993
California Strawberry Festival in Oxnard, CA – May 14, 1993
Oxnard Star Free Press (Ventura, CA) – May 14, 1993
B. B. O’Brien’s in Palm Desert, CA – May 17, 1993
Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA) – May 17, 1993
Desert Sun (Palm Springs, CA) – May 15, 1993
Tooele County Arts Festival in Tooele, Utah – June 5, 1993
Daily Herald (Provo, UT) – June 2, 1993
Country Cavalcade in Karis-Karjaa, Finland – June 20, 1993
The Paradiso in Amsterdam – June 22, 1993
Randy Meisner on stage at the Paradiso
More info and backstage photos on the Paradiso page on this site.
The Noorderligt in the Netherlands – June 23, 1993
Clearwater Beach in Clearwater, FL – July 3, 1993
Bradenton Herald (Bradenton, FL) – July 2, 1993
Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, FL) – July 2, 1993
Tampa Bay Times (St. Petersburg, FL) – July 2, 1993
Washington County Fair in Hurricane, Utah – August 14, 1993
“Meisner, Rich and Swan are just returning from a European and Scandinavian tour where their Helsinki, Finland, concert alone drew more than 20,000 people.”
Daily Spectrum (St. George, UT) – Aug. 8, 1993
Daily Spectrum (St. George, UT) – Aug. 8, 1993
“Vern Monnett, guitarist for the group Meisner, Rich, and Swan, was raised in LaVerkin and gained much of his musical training and experience in this area. He said he is pleased to have this chance to perform for his friends and former neighbors again, after many years of touring and working in the Los Angeles area.”
Daily Spectrum (St. George, UT) – Aug. 14, 1993
Washington Park Zoo in Portland, OR – Aug. 19, 1993
More photos are on the Washington Park Zoo page on this site.
Vern Monnett, Randy Meisner, Allan Rich, and Billy Swan
Great Mississippi River Balloon Race in Natchez, MS – Oct. 15-17, 1993
Additional photos and articles are on the Mississippi River Balloon Race page on this site.
Vern Monnett, Randy Meisner, Allan Rich, Billy Swan
LA Equestrian Center in Burbank, CA – Nov. 20, 1993
LA Weekly (Los Angeles, CA) – Nov. 25, 1993
“A Starry Night” in Park City, Utah – Mar. 11, 1994
Park Record (Park City, UT) – Feb. 17, 1994
Park Record (Park City, UT) – Mar. 17, 1994
Wise Guys in Pasadena, CA – Apr. 2, 1994
See photos and video of this show on the Wise Guys page.
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Mar. 10, 1994
Dixie Center Cox Auditorium at Utah Tech University in St. George, Utah – April 9, 1994
Daily Spectrum (St. George, UT) – Mar. 17, 1994
Bolo’s in Forth Worth, TX – April 24, 1994
Fort Worth Star-Telegram (Fort Worth, TX) – Apr. 15, 1994
FanFest 94 at Los Angeles County Fair and Exposition Complex – May 4-7, 1994
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – May 6, 1994
Music Festival for the Earth in Boston, MA – May 21, 1994
The Boston Phoenix (Boston, MA) – May 13-19, 1994
Anderson’s Fifth Estate in Scottsdale, AZ – June 12, 1994
Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) – June 12, 1994
MusiCares silent auction and concert – Nov. 1, 1994
There are more photos of this event on the MusiCares page on this site.
Country Music Fan Festival in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Hotel – Dec. 7, 1994
Las Vegas Review-Journal (Las Vegas, NV) – Dec. 2, 1994
Storm Seymour was photographed with Billy, Allan, and Randy at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Storm’s show was the next night (Dec. 8).
He said that Randy’s performance of Take It To the Limit “brought the audience to their feet”.
Billy Swan, Storm Seymour, Allan Rich, and Randy Meisner
Oregon Trail Lounge in Gering, NE – Jan. 10-11, 1995
Sioux City Journal (Sioux City, IA) – Nov. 28, 1994
Autographed by Randy Meisner, Allan Rich, Billy Swan, Vern Monnett (lead guitar and steel), and Ron Grinel (drummer)
The Palomino in N. Hollywood, CA – May 12, 1995
LA Weekly (Los Angeles, CA) – May 18, 1995
The Palomino Club in N. Hollywood, CA – June 30, 1995
Randy Meisner backstage at the Palomino
For more info, photos, and videos of this night at the Palomino, check out the Palomino Club page on this site.
Derby Dinner Playhouse in Clarksville, IN – Sept. 18, 1995
Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) – July 9, 1995
Collin Raye concert in Ogden, Utah – Jan. 19, 1996
More info on this concert at Weber State University in Ogden, Utah is on this Collin Raye concert page on this site.
Collin Raye, Vern Monnett, Randy Meisner, Billy Swan, and Allan Rich
The Coach House in Los Angeles, CA – April 6, 1996
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Apr. 4, 1996
San Bernardino County Sun (San Bernardino, CA) – Apr. 5, 1996
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Apr. 6, 1996
Ventura Theatre in Ventura, CA – June 15, 1996
LA Times (Los Angeles, CA) – Apr. 21, 1996
Lake of the Torches Resort Casino in Lac Du Flambeau, WI – Dec. 31, 1996
Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, WI) – Dec. 29, 1996
Leave a Reply