It was my era.
And I’m not fairly certain how I really feel about that.
It’s not just like the outdated days, there’s a lot exercise within the mountains in the summertime you’d nearly assume you have been dwelling within the metropolis. Sponsored performing arts facilities, title expertise, and a ton of semi or non-talent, you open the “Vail Every day” and there’s an countless listing.
And there’s a free live performance collection in Beaver Creek each week, Andy mentioned he went to see Asia there, with out one authentic member.
Richie Furay is the real article. With a pedigree. The one man with that top a profile who didn’t break by way of to stardom. You had Stephen Stills and Neil Younger and Jim Messina in Buffalo Springfield. The Eagles expanded on that sound. Furay finally teamed with Chris Hillman and J.D. Souther within the ill-fated Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, however the act broke up as a result of Richie’s spouse advised him it was both her or the band, and Richie selected her. The scuttlebutt was that it was J.D. who broke up the act, however Richie advised me he was checked out through the recording of the act’s aptly-named second LP, “Hassle In Paradise,” which was launched with a whimper.
However that first Souther-Hillman-Furay Band album, I performed the sh*t out of it. I recorded it for a cross-country drive. I bear in mind this fisherman singing “Border City” as he skied the bumps at Alta, I used to be surprised he knew it, I believed it was extra of a secret, then once more, the album did go gold.
And within the center, after all, there was Poco. Richie’s band that by no means lived as much as its rep commercially till he left.
And there you could have it. Rock historical past, FROM FIFTY YEARS AGO!
That’s proper, Richie Furay is eighty. Doesn’t look it, however the beautiful factor is he nonetheless has his voice. And he performed acoustically along with his daughter on backup vocals and a younger guitarist and the harmonies…have been higher than Crosby, Stills & Nash’s ever have been. Oh, these albums have been candy, however dwell, at Woodstock, on “4 Method Avenue,” I believed it was almost unimaginable to get three half concord proper dwell till I noticed Sure, which wasn’t identified for concord, however nailed it nonetheless.
I imply all these years later, Richie nonetheless has it.
However it’s all these years later.
Now the factor about these free exhibits, on the ice rink within the village of Beaver Creek, is individuals get there early, to arrange chairs, to be shut.
And so they have been all of my classic.
And so they knew who Richie Furay was.
I noticed a lady dancing and singing to the heavens together with “A Good Feelin’ to Know” and that’s once I realized, they’d lived by way of the period similar to me, when music was every little thing, when after all you knew the hits, but in addition the music of the standard acts you heard often on FM, however by no means on AM.
The preliminary Poco album is a basic, “Pickin’ Up the Items,” which bought nice critiques when it got here out however was dwarfed by Crosby, Stills & Nash. There was a commerce, Epic bought Richie and Atlantic bought Crosby and Nash and…Furay believes if Poco had been on Atlantic issues would have labored out in a different way. Then once more, Leslie West believed if his supervisor didn’t nix his look within the Woodstock film, he would have turn out to be legendary. And the reality is Mountain was fairly large in its period, however now the band is nearly utterly forgotten, I don’t hear about younger individuals streaming Mountain songs.
And I don’t hear about them streaming Poco songs both.
2
I initially stopped after “From the Inside.” It was clear, the band was by no means going to interrupt by way of. I used to be surprised when it finally did, when it moved over to ABC from Epic, however by then Rusty Younger was a lead vocalist, which was unfathomable to early followers of the band. And I really like “Coronary heart of the Evening,” and “Loopy Love” is a staple, however nobody ever talks in regards to the opening monitor on the primary ABC album “Head Over Heels,” entitled “Hold On Tryin’,” composed and sung by Timothy B. Schmit with a voice so pure so ethereal so proper sans business success it’s no surprise Timothy B. finally decamped for the Eagles.
So again in ’65, after a Vermont washout over Christmas, my mother and father took us to the Harmony, the place no snow wouldn’t nix a great time. I skied three of the 4 days, the fourth it rained, and one of many perks of the lodge, apart from countless meals, was nightclub leisure, and the star was Neil Sedaka, who was by this time a has-been. We had no thought who he was. We have been all Beatlemaniacs. This was my first publicity to somebody touring after their prime. It was type of creepy, then once more, who would have anticipated that Sedaka would have a comeback within the seventies!
On the time of that present, Sedaka was twenty 5. Over the hill.
And there have been all of the acts my mother and father talked about, that they went to see in NYC. They took us to see Ella Fitzgerald… All these acts on late evening TV we’d by no means heard of, which not like Neil Sedaka, by no means got here again.
And within the eighties, there began to be the comedy circuit in Florida. Aged acts enjoying to aged followers. Possibly it began earlier, however that’s once I heard about it.
Unhappy.
However I used to be younger.
And now, the acts that aren’t useless are nonetheless on the market, enjoying to us.
Largely retired. All about way of life. Not within the mainstream and never involved about it. In any case, it’s been half a century, extra.
However all that music of my mother and father’ era, it was disposable. Certain, not Sinatra, a number of the large bands, however actually, it was music of the time, there’s at all times fashionable music, however that’s totally different from…
The British Invasion.
The San Francisco Sound.
Singer-songwriters.
Prog rock.
Bob Dylan, the Beatles, the Stones…
Our acts have been icons. Untouchable. We performed their data in our bedrooms, in our dorm rooms, you went to the gig frequently, it was a spiritual expertise, all in regards to the music, nobody shot selfies and most of the venues didn’t promote beer, though that didn’t imply we weren’t excessive.
Musicians have been the brand new baseball stars. However with brains. We idolized them. We listened to what they needed to say. They have been beacons in a tumultuous period.
However then it grew to become all in regards to the cash, music as soon as once more slid again into leisure versus artwork.
Which leaves us with our reminiscences.
3
“Type Girl.” Are you aware that one? In case you have been greater than an off-the-cuff fan, you do.
And the aforementioned “A Good Feelin’ to Know” resonated with me for the primary time ever.
I used to be a Poco fan, however when Epic despatched me the 2 CD “Forgotten Path (1969-74)” bundle in 1990 I grew to become a devotee, lengthy after the band’s standing had been set in stone, listening to the music with no context, context was created, it was a extremely good band. Really, I like to recommend two two CD compilations, this Poco one and “Free – Molten Gold: The Anthology.” You’ll be surprised how good Paul Kossoff was. Free was far more than “All Proper Now,” by no means thoughts that includes probably the best rock singer of all time, Paul Rodgers.
Richie was not a no one. Like failed singer-songwriters singing down in Florida, on the Villages, different retirement communities, this man was proper up entrance and heart after we have been all paying consideration. And he’s simply nearly as good.
Not that all the fabric. The solo stuff…
And Richie bought deep into Jesus, and if that bugs you, you’re going to wince when he goes on about God through the set.
However I stood up to have a look. The primary two-thirds of the area have been all individuals my age, there have been no kids up entrance, solely within the again.
Now no one likes a deal like a retiree. Particularly free.
And the set began at 5:30. You could possibly name it an Early Chook Particular.
That is what it’s come to.
However even after ready for half an hour for the gang to skinny out to say hello to Richie, individuals have been nonetheless lined as much as discuss to him, to purchase merch, to get a photograph, to get an autograph. These are the identical individuals who gained’t go to the grocery retailer throughout rush hour, whose line up days are by way of, though they lined up for tickets method again when.
And I look as outdated as they do. I’m no totally different from them. I couldn’t sq. it, made me need to return to L.A. and sit within the Discussion board, go to a theatre present, dangle with the insiders, something however this.
It’s similar to my mother and father’ era. We had our acts, they meant a lot to us they usually gained’t imply a lot to anyone after we’re gone. Most of rock historical past, kaput!
And the humorous factor is most of rock historical past is now being written by individuals who weren’t there within the first place, in some instances not even born. Not solely do they usually get the info unsuitable, the nuances they miss utterly. They depend on the charts from an period the place High Forty meant nothing and a number of the greatest acts have been not often heard on the radio.
And should you attempt to inform anyone youthful the way it was totally different, they snicker and say it’s the identical because it ever was. Then once more, if that’s so, why is there such hoopla over the re-release of “Cease Making Sense”?
This ain’t no celebration, this ain’t no disco, many are previous with the ability to idiot round.
You needed to go to the Mudd Membership, CBGB’s, being residence was demise, all of it occurred outdoors, on the membership, whereas at present the leisure at residence is sort of at all times superior to that outdoors.
It’s fading away. It’s on its final gasp. Do you embrace it or arise and protest just like the Nazi in “The Producers,” telling all people they don’t perceive the way it was, what it meant.
I don’t know.
Responses from Bob’s readers. These feedback will not be edited for grammar or content material, and will not replicate the views of CelebrityAccess or its employees.
Hello Bob,
It was good to see you and Andy up at Beaver Creek on Thursday. Yea, the large wheel retains on turning and I maintain going out to play if somebody says there are individuals who need to make a journey down reminiscence lane and listen to a couple of new tunes as properly. It’s enjoyable enjoying with my daughter, honestly I wouldn’t be doing this if she wasn’t alongside for the ride- (she has 4 daughters of her personal) and her husband is basically supportive for the few exhibits we do.
Anyway, thanks for the good article, you could have a good way of taking individuals alongside in your private journey as you observe the music. Thanks for popping out and for stopping by to say howdy!!!
Richie
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I produced, engineered and combined Richie’s “Nonetheless DELiverin’ Return to The Troubadour“ a couple of years again, which was the fiftieth anniversary live performance on the Troubadour of the enduring Poco report “DeLiverin.’”
Richie is an effective man and a consumate professional and might nonetheless convey it dwell. It was a pleasure getting to listen to these iconic Poco songs in any case these years.
One by no means is aware of what makes one a star however I bought the impression that Richie most likely didn’t care ultimately about that.
Having labored with a lot of stars there’s something intangible that divides the “star” from the one which has sh*t gobs of expertise however perhaps doesn’t actually care about that particular a part of one’s profession. I’m not going to get within the secular non secular piece of his or anybody’s profession however I’ve fairly a couple of musician mates which have set off on that path and it doesn’t actually intersect with eager to play the sport.
Anyway, Richie’s music will likely be within the DNA of American music perpetually regardless.
Finest again
Ross Hogarth
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Hello Bob,
It was good to see you and Andy up at Beaver Creek on Thursday. Yea, the large wheel retains on turning and I maintain going out to play if somebody says there are individuals who need to make a journey down reminiscence lane and listen to a couple of new tunes as properly. It’s enjoyable enjoying with my daughter, honestly I wouldn’t be doing this if she wasn’t alongside for the ride- (she has 4 daughters of her personal) and her husband is basically supportive for the few exhibits we do.
Anyway, thanks for the good article, you could have a good way of taking individuals alongside in your private journey as you observe the music. Thanks for popping out and for stopping by to say howdy!!!
Richie
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I nonetheless stream Poco. I first met them at an outside gig I booked for them in 1971, I believe, for the Simsbury (CT) Youth Heart. Beloved Pickin’ Up the Items album a lot. It was an thrilling time to be round dwell music.
Tony D’Amelio
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Poco. Central Park, Summer time ’72. Powered mescaline. It began to drizzle throughout “Good Feeling to Know (with an prolonged jam on the finish.) The stage lights lit the raindrops. Richie’s voice and Paul Cotton’s lead guitar turned the Manhattan evening into one of many biggest musical moments of my life.
Matt Auerbach…
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One of many joys of manufacturing concert events within the early days was the power to make mates and maintain them as they got here by way of on tour. Each group had its personal character, created by its music, musicians and crew. Some you couldn’t wait to see, others not a lot. You at all times regarded ahead to working with Poco. Not solely was the music chic, however they may promote tickets, and have been a pleasure to hang around with. If each group has a public face, Poco can credit score then-road supervisor Denny Jones. I hope a few of your readers with comparable backgrounds really feel the identical method.
Alan DeZon
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However anyway bye bye..fave Richie vocal,thx Bob
Woody Value
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Properly written, I noticed Richie because the opener for one of many last Ronstadt excursions, understated excellence.
In regards to the origins of the LA sound epitomized by the Eagles I had the identical dialog with Christian Nesmith at my home a number of years in the past which included Furay but in addition Christian’s Dad Michael and Rick Nelson’s Stone Cyn Band. It was an ideal blender on the proper time that each one birthed some nice music.
Don Adkins
SoCal Photographer
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Pretty much as good as something at present:
“Starlight (Richie Furay Band: I’ve Obtained a Cause) (1976)”
Tom Lewis
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Oh boy! What an ideal column! A couple of years again, I had the prospect to see Richie Furay on the Turning Level in Piermont NY. An exquisite small venue that also attracts the street warriors like Steve Forbert, and lots of others within the tri-state musician neighborhood. The Buffalo Springfield, for me, was simply the best band ever. Stills with that hat, and Neil along with his fringed leather-based jacket. However I used to be at all times captured by their guitars, Neil performed a Gretsch White Falcon…a guitar to die for in 1965, but it surely value a thousand bucks. No surprise I purchased a Hagstrom III for $129. Richie performed a covet-worthy Gibson electrical 12-string. Couldn’t afford a Fender Telecaster for $179 on the time…Anyway, Richie signed my copies of Poco albums, the primary Buffalo Springfield LP…vinyl thoughts you…I purchased the primary model of the Buffalo Springfield’s first LP…it didn’t have For What It’s Value as the primary minimize…It was Child Don’t Scold Me. I introduced the LP again to alternate it for the brand new model. That first LP with out For What it’s Value, grew to become a collector’s merchandise within the Buffalo Springfield saga. Richie signed my copy of Selecting Up the Items and you would not have requested for a greater meet and greet. Thanks for the report. I’ve been up at Vail and Beaver Creek after they get the music going and hey, rocky mountain excessive colorado!
Chip Lovitt
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I noticed Jim Messina at Ridgefield Playhouse on the Thursday evening earlier than the Friday COVID shut dwell music down. A buddy had additional tix and I used to be somewhat leery.
He was nice. His band was just like the Loggins and Messina bands, versatile with woodwinds and numerous coloration and textures.
His voice and guitar have been glorious and the songs have been acquainted and superb. Acts from again within the day may be hit and miss after they attain a sure age however the Buffalo Springfield alums have executed higher than most.
William Nollman
Silvermine
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Noticed Buffalo Springfield in 1966(?) after they toured with The Seaside Boys. Grew to become life-long fan of all of the members of the band. Noticed Poco in its authentic configuration at a neighborhood faculty. Final noticed Richie Furay at Birchmere in Northern VA in with a band that included his daughter. He’ll at all times be amongst my favourite musicians.
William Hultman
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As soon as once more, you nailed it.
On October 21, 2010 – a Thursday evening in Seattle – I learn on-line that the Buffalo Springfield have been reuniting on the annual Bridge Live shows.
Withing minutes, I purchased 2 Tenth-row tickets, booked a lodge, booked a first-class flight and, on Saturday, a buddy and I have been strolling into the Shoreline to see them.
I patiently sat by way of an acoustic Billy Idol set, an acoustic Elvis Costello set (changing an ailing Kristofferson), with Emmylou sitting in, and many others.
Then there they have been, Steven, Richie, and Neil with what was clearly Neil’s rhythm part.
The entire set was a acoustic, after all (it’s a Bridge Live performance) however that didn’t matter.
I couldn’t imagine this was taking place – I used to be 12 once I purchased Bluebird/Mr. Soul 45, and had every little thing they ever did on containers, bootlegs, and many others. A useless band. But there they have been, beginning with “On the Method House”, with Richie on vocals. Richie Furay, flanked by Stills and Younger!
I name these occasions “Lazurus Moments”.
I used to be shut sufficient to see the appears on their faces and the state of their our bodies. It was clear that Richie regarded the identical however with grey hair, and the opposite two regarded as battle-worn as you’d anticipate.
Gary Lang
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Missed Furay at BC however I nonetheless have the SHF band album, from the cut-out part at Peaches. They tried to be the reply to CSN however nobody cared. Richie was at all times near stardom however by no means fairly made it. I bear in mind he was a Minister down in Boulder along with his personal Church years in the past. Boulder had an ideal scene again then when Caribou Ranch was the place to be.
I noticed that ASIA advert however there are two ASIA’s touring, the opposite one with Geoff Downes, the one at Beaver Creek? Like the 2 Sure’ a couple of years in the past. So unhappy they will’t simply all get alongside.
I discovered to ski on the Harmony and at Kutsher’s then went over to Vacation Mountain. They used to have tie-dyed snow on the Harmony! Neil Sedaka’s mother and father I believe lived in Monticello and I taught his daughter Dara to ski, or tried to, she was unimaginable.
A surprisingly good free present at BC final 12 months was Ambrosia who sounded nice even with out David Pack, who has top-of-the-line and most underrated voices in music. They did have the opposite 3 authentic guys and performed a mixture of the basic Prog stuff, the large ballads and a few nice covers They even joked about being labeled as Yacht Rock truly enjoying entrance of people that doubtless have Yachts, They actually stunned me.
Now I actually must see Gary Puckett and the Union Hole at BC!
Ciao,
Barry Levinson
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Rattling, Bob…this introduced me to tears a number of occasions, needed to write.
A man at my first job within the grocery retailer in 1975 turned me on to Poco, and I grew to become obsessed. Made particular journeys to Austin simply to purchase their albums at one of many then seven report shops inside strolling distance of The Drag.
The historical past of it, beginning with Buffalo Springfield, was like an occult treasure to a “totally different” child in Bumfuq South Texas. Poco was a part of the most important geneaolocial tree of rock and roll there ever was. Who did what, the place the others got here from…all of it was fascinating to a 16 12 months child who noticed rock as a sacred factor.
I discovered about Illinois Velocity Press and located the album on one of many Austin journeys. It was like a hidden sub-history, discovering out the place Paul Cotton got here from, and seeing how he modified the sound of the band.
Good Feelin’ To Know, so far as I used to be involved, was a masterpiece of an album. THAT report ought to have damaged them by way of. After that got here Loopy Eyes, and you would inform Richie was leaving simply by the writing, and the sound of the album itself. Discovering out it was about Gram Parsons was like discovering one other little bit of that historical past…that geneaology.
And the band shouldered on, grew to become even tighter, if that’s in any respect doable, and put out Seven, Cantamos, after which the album with “Hold On Tryin’.” That music was what I might play individuals once I was making an attempt to clarify Poco to them and get them turned on to the band. I used to be a Pocovangelist once I was a sophomore in highschool…I even did a large portray of the duvet of ‘Seven’ with the horseshoe, for my wall.
Then got here Rose of Cimmaron, and when Timothy left, Rusty took over that airy-high vocal spot on the 2 data that lastly “did it ” for them, with covers by none apart from Phil Hartman.
I’m only a few years behind you within the chronological scheme of it, in that last part of the Increase known as “Era Jones”: too outdated to Increase, too younger to GenX. I used to be anachronistic and autistic as a child, glued to the radio from toddlerhood on.
I did deep dives on each type of music, and the HISTORY OF IT was at all times initially. The angle of when it occurred within the timeline, hell, simply Historic Perspective typically, simply doesn’t exist in individuals now. And so they don’t need to know.
I’m unhappy to see the pure development. I really feel as “cringe” because the outdated Massive Bands my mother and father cherished now. However rock and roll…it did bind kindred souls, regardless of HOW outdated we have been. Y’all could have been ten or so years older, however I used to be simply as “there” with the music. The music bonded everybody, particularly from ’64 to ’72, what to me have been the “Golden Years” of pop music on AM.
The originals all passing, I really feel an urge to verify all that rock historical past that bought me by way of a rocky teen-hood doesn’t all disappear and die. One other buddy despatched me a replica of a ebook written in regards to the Haight Ashbury, known as “We Are The Individuals Our Mother and father Warned Us Towards” by Nicholas Gained Hoffman. He wrote it as his Thesis for “Dr. Jolly”…it has given me a complete new window onto the Haight Avenue scene. That is historical past that must be handed on, to be perpetuated, to not die with those that lived it.
Thanks once more for an additional good one, Bob,
Byron Beyer
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Effectively, if the lyrics “Colorado mountains I can see your distant sky, bringin’ a tear of pleasure to my eye” didn’t resonate w/ the parents at Beaver Creek, then it’s unlikely they’d resonate wherever else.
If I had to decide on essentially the most underrated band and artist from the 1970’s, my poll would doubtless have Poco and Richie Furay on the very prime. I’d most likely have to pick each as a write-in vote given the shameful lack of recognition of every (past Furay’s days w/ Buffalo Springfield), however these within the know actually know. The Eagle’s get all of the accolades as pioneers of nation rock, and doubtless deservedly so, however the high quality of Poco’s music isn’t too far behind, and in a number of situations their work is arguably higher. Poco’s writing wasn’t at all times constant, (then once more, whose is), however the band’s lack of recognition and business success is a travesty.
Little question if Ahmet and the robust promo workforce at Atlantic data had oversight of Poco’s early releases, they might have had a a lot better likelihood of success, however alas, it wasn’t meant to be. For these not acquainted w/ Poco’s physique of labor, try their 2-disc compilation “The Forgotten Path.” Critical music fanatics are acquainted w/ early stage Poco gamers Jim Messina, Randy Meisner, Timothy B. Schmit and Richie Furay, however the late Rusty Younger is arguably top-of-the-line pedal metal gamers of all-time.
Stuart Ok. Marvin
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I lived in Boulder and had my first business studio there within the 70s. Poco, Firefall, Tommy Bolin, and Boz Scaggs have been staples of the occasions. Glad Richie’s nonetheless doing it. Because the Mighty Quinn mentioned, “Maintain all of your reminiscences since you can’t relive them.” My trash bin will likely be stuffed with tapes and data and books when my youngsters clear up after I’m gone. They could maintain some precise photographs and some of my devices, and I’m okay with all that. The satisfaction is that at the least a few of my story will dwell on, in no matter kind the digital now permits. Your readers will nonetheless be quoting you till AI replaces all studying and speaking. “Any day now, I (we) shall be launched.”
Victor Levine
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I knew I used to be in hassle once I began seeing advertisements for bands I appreciated in junior excessive enjoying 4:30pm exhibits at The Villages. Hopefully rock ’n’ roll by no means forgets.
Vince Welsh
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This impressed me to see the place else he was enjoying. At first it regarded like New Jersey however then noticed he’s on the Boulton Heart on Lengthy Island in Bay Shore on the twenty fourth. Purchased a few the few remaining tickets instantly. Trying ahead to it.
Thanks!
Michael Williams
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August, Beaver Creek, the Rocky Mountains and Richie Furay… A Good Feeling To Know INDEED!
George Briner
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Bob: Thanks for remembering Poco. They belong within the RR Corridor of Fame, as does America. Richie was the lead singer in Buffalo Springfield once I signed them to William Morris. They have been a crusty bunch, aside from Richie, he at all times was and has remained a sort hearted soul. The others ultimately mellowed out, so kudos to them too.
Harlan Goodman and I managed Poco for eight albums, Poco Seven by way of Legend which delivered two prime 5 singles and was their first and solely platinum L.P.. They’d an extended string of managers, Inexperienced & Stone, Shiffman & Larson, Geffen & Roberts, Hartmann & Goodman, and Peter Golden. The story of their curler coaster profession is basic American Rock & Roll.
The transfer to ABC is what modified the arc of their profession. Abandoning one’s catalog was not de rigueur in these days. You misplaced your leverage. however Epic was too snug promoting 350K models and by no means supported a single. Mybrother Phil designed a lot of their covers, together with Poco Seven and Legend, his Horse brand remained their emblem to the tip.
Forty years later I used to be at an ‘Outdated Timers Luncheon’ and sat subsequent to this man who knowledgeable me that he used to run Epic, and I advised him how I despatched Epic prexy Ron Alexenburg an authentic Phil Hartman watercolor of the Poco 7 cowl. After we moved Poco to ABC he stomped on it and broke the glass. He despatched it to me full with footprints. I reframed it with the damaged glass included. He says to me I’m Ron Alexenburg. I used to be completely shocked. He had misplaced 100 kilos and I didn’t acknowledge him. He regarded actual good. We laughed rather a lot.
Music was our gasoline within the sixties, Now it’s simply grease to get the younger individuals from display screen to display screen.
Rock ‘Til You Drop!
As ever,
John Hartmann