Poco Should Have Been Huge… So What Went Wrong?
Poco Should Have Been Huge… So What Went Wrong?
Introduction
Poco pioneered the country‑rock blend that would later define the Eagles, yet the band never achieved the commercial heights of their contemporaries. Their story is one of early promise, contractual twists, and relentless lineup changes that kept momentum from fully materializing.
Formation and Early Promise (1968‑1969)
After Buffalo Springfield collapsed in 1968, guitarist Richie Furay and bassist Jim Messina sought a new direction. They recruited pedal‑steel virtuoso Rusty Young, drummer George Grantham, and high‑tenor vocalist Randy Meisner. The group debuted as Pogo in November 1968, but a lawsuit forced a name change to Poco. In February 1969, a record‑label contract swap linked Poco with the newly formed Crosby, Stills & Nash, while the latter joined a different label. Poco’s debut, Picking Up the Pieces (1969), received critical praise from Rolling Stone but sold poorly, illustrating the gap between artistic acclaim and market success.
Struggles and Lineup Turbulence (1970‑1973)
The early 1970s saw Poco touring with major acts and releasing the live album Delivering (1970), which peaked at No. 26 on the Billboard charts. However, internal friction led to the departure of founding bassist Jim Messina in 1970 and guitarist Paul Cotton stepping in. In 1971, Meisner left to join the Eagles, a band that would capitalize on Poco’s country‑rock blueprint. The loss of a key songwriter and bassist weakened the group’s identity. By 1973, after the modest success of Crazy Eyes (No. 38 on Billboard), founder Richie Furay resigned, leaving Poco to reorganize around Cotton and Young.
Brief Success and Decline (1978‑1980s)
Poco’s 1978 single “Crazy Love” became a commercial breakthrough, reaching No. 17 on the Hot 100 and spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. The album Legend (1978) peaked at No. 14 on the Billboard 200. Yet corporate changes in 1979 cut promotional budgets, stalling momentum. The band’s later releases failed to chart, and the 1989 reunion album Legacy did not achieve significant sales. By the early 1980s, the rise of new‑wave and MTV‑oriented pop left Poco’s style out of the mainstream spotlight.
Key Facts
- In 1969, a contract swap linked Poco with Crosby, Stills & Nash, creating two pivotal acts.
- Picking Up the Pieces (1969) earned critical acclaim but barely charted.
- Randy Meisner left Poco in 1971 to join the Eagles, later singing “Take It to the Limit.”
- “Crazy Love” (1978) peaked at No. 17 on the Hot 100 and topped the Adult Contemporary chart.
- The original lineup reunited in 1989 for Legacy, which did not break into the top charts.
FAQs
Why did Poco’s debut album fail commercially?
Despite Rolling Stone praise, Picking Up the Pieces did not resonate with a broad audience, reflecting a disconnect between critical acclaim and market appeal.
What was the story behind the dog on the album cover?
After Randy Meisner quit during mixing, the band replaced his photo with a dog on the cover, a quirky gesture that later became a memorable anecdote in Poco’s history.
Conclusion
Poco’s legacy lies in their foundational role in country‑rock and the enduring influence of their harmonies and pedal‑steel work. Though commercial success eluded them, their music continues to echo through the Eagles, modern country pop, and the broader American soundscape.