Poco: Pioneers of Country Rock
Poco is an American country rock band formed in the late 1960s, emerging from the ashes of the legendary group Buffalo Springfield. Hailing from Los Angeles, California, the band is celebrated for pioneering the lush, harmony-rich sound that would define the genre, achieving a dedicated following and chart success with albums like "Legend" in 1978.
Early career
Poco was formed in 1968 by Richie Furay and Jim Messina, both former members of Buffalo Springfield, along with Rusty Young, Randy Meisner, and George Grantham. Their 1969 debut album, "Pickin' Up the Pieces," is often cited as one of the first true country rock albums, though it surprisingly did not chart despite critical acclaim. The band's early lineup was volatile, with Meisner departing before the debut's release, later finding fame with The Eagles.
Breakthrough
While Poco cultivated a strong live reputation throughout the early 1970s, mainstream commercial breakthrough proved elusive for many years. Their persistence paid off with the 1978 album "Legend," released on ABC Records, which became their highest-charting album, reaching No. 14 on the Billboard 200. The single Crazy Love hit No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100, finally giving the band a major pop hit and earning a Gold certification for the album.
Key tracks
Pickin' Up the Pieces — The title track from their influential debut set the template for their melodic, pedal-steel driven sound.
Crazy Love — This 1978 soft-rock ballad became Poco's biggest pop single, featuring Paul Cotton's lead vocals.
Heart of the Night — Another top 20 hit from the "Legend" album, this track showcased the band's smoother, more polished AOR direction.
A Good Feelin' to Know — A quintessential early Poco anthem highlighting their trademark harmonies and optimistic country-rock vibe.
Rose of Cimarron — A fan-favorite epic that remains a staple of their live performances and classic rock radio.
The band's later career saw numerous lineup changes, with members like Timothy B. Schmit and Paul Cotton contributing significantly before departing for other major acts. Poco continued to record and tour through the decades, releasing albums like "Cowboys & Englishmen" (1979) and "Inamorata" (1984), and experiencing a reunion with the "Legacy" album in 1989 on RCA Records. Their influence far outweighs their sporadic chart success, as they directly bridged the gap between 1960s folk-rock and the massive commercial country-rock wave of the 1970s.
Fans of Poco's harmonious blend likely also enjoy the music of The Eagles, whose smoother, massively successful sound was heavily influenced by Poco's early work. The rootsy songcraft of Flying Burrito Brothers shares a similar pioneering spirit in blending country with rock. The later country-rock sound of Pure Prairie League also carries the melodic torch lit by Poco. For the folk-inflected side, America offers a closely aligned harmonic approach and acoustic sensibility.
Poco's catalog maintains a steady presence on classic rock FM stations and dedicated album-oriented rock channels, where their signature hits are radio staples. Their deep cuts are also featured on specialty programs focusing on the history of Americana and country rock on various independent music radio stations, celebrating their foundational role.
Listeners can explore the pioneering country rock sound of Poco through the radio stations featured on our website. Tune in to onairium.com to discover stations that regularly play Poco's timeless tracks, from their early pioneering work to their classic 1970s hits.
