An Evening With Poco at One Longfellow Square

Poco's Acoustic Trio touring lineup consists of Rusty Young, Jack Sundrud and Michael Webb.

Poco began when Richie Furay (b. May 9, 1944, Yellow Springs, Ohio), Jim Messina (b. December 5, 1947, Harlingen, Texas), and Rusty Young (b. February 23, 1946, Long Beach, California) met during the Buffalo Springfield’s ‘Last Time Around’ sessions in 1968. Rusty was called to play steel guitar on Richie Furay’s song ‘Kind Woman’ and after the session was over the three talked about starting a band. That was the beginning of a band that would inspire a generation of musicians. With the addition of drummer George Grantham (b. January 20, 1947, Cordell, Oklahoma) and Randy Meisner (b. March 8, 1947, Scottsbluff, Nebraska) Poco began playing showcase California clubs like the Troubadour and the Golden Bear. When respected L.A. Times music critic Robert Hilburn wrote that Poco was “The next big thing”, offers for record contracts began rolling in. The band signed with Epic Records and the band’s debut album, ‘Pickin’ Up The Pieces’ was released in the fall of 1969. Rolling Stone magazine gave ‘Pickin’ Up The Pieces’ a rave review calling it “the perfect album”. But just before the album’s release, bass player Randy Meisner became unhappy and left the band to join Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band. In a few years Randy became restless again and moved on to join Don Henley, Glenn Frey and Bernie Leadon in the Eagles.