Poco
Pioneering and long-lasting country-rock band Poco arose from the ashes of Buffalo Springfield. As Buffalo Springfield split into individual factions during the 1968 recording of its final album, lead singer/guitarist Richie Furay cut his country-influenced song “Kind Woman” with producer/multi-instrumentalist Jim Messina and pedal steel guitarist Rusty Young. Immediately recognizing the magic in this core trio, Furay, Young and Messina formed the original Poco lineup with the additions of drummer/singer George Grantham and bassist/singer Randy Meisner (the latter soon replaced by Timothy B. Schmit, both pre-Eagles). After a few albums, Messina left Poco in 1970 and linked with Kenny Loggins. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Paul Cotton joined at this point, establishing the quintet that many fans regard as Poco’s classic lineup. Many albums and further personnel changes followed through the decades, but Poco’s original values of quality songwriting, bright harmonies, and instrumental prowess always remained at its core.
Did you know?
- The band was originally named “Pogo,” after the comic strip character, but became Poco after the comic’s creator, Walt Kelly, objected and threatened to sue
- Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit were both members of Poco prior to becoming the members of the Eagles. Schmit replaced Meisner in both bands.
- Although Meisner, Schmit, Jim Messina and Richie Furay have the most popular name recognition of the various Poco members, the band actually scored its biggest hits after they all left the band, with 1978’s Rusty Young & Paul Cotton-led album Legend featuring “Crazy Love” and “Heart of the Night”