Rusty Young of Poco.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 1 Jun 2014 9:09 pm

I was honored to get to play Steel and lead guitar at a picnic with the legendary Rusty Young recently. What a great time. Rusty and his wife Mary are great people, so glad I got to know them. Rusty sang one of my favorite Poco songs (Call it Love) Thanks guys for having me.

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 2 Jun 2014 11:18 am

I saw Rusty and Poco in the very early 80s when they came to Europe as support for what was the No1 Band, America, the venue was Greens Playhouse in Glasgow.

Poco blew the other lot off the stage with a never to be forgotten performance, America got to play 4 songs that night before the crowd demanded the return of Poco, they had the good grace to recognise something had just happened that was beyond their control.

James.

Chris Tweed · Post by **Chris Tweed** » 2 Jun 2014 11:22 am

James, I saw them on the same tour, travelling from Belfast to Southport, specifically to see Poco. You're right, they were incredible.

Chris

Steve Hotra · Post by **Steve Hotra** » 2 Jun 2014 11:33 am

Wow! Thats amazing!
Any pictures to share?

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 2 Jun 2014 11:44 am

Try these.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 2 Jun 2014 7:58 pm

Steve Hotra wrote:Wow! Thats amazing!
Any pictures to share?

Steve, I have a photo Of Rusty Playing my Rittenberry. His wife Mary took it and hasn't sent it to me yet. I will post it when I get it.

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 3 Jun 2014 5:06 am

I saw them in '72 in Albuquerque at the UNM pit opening for Jefferson Airplane/Starship whatever they weere then and the same thing occurred. Poco killed with the opener and then Starship took stage for maybe 4-5 songs before the crowd booed them off stage and Poco closed after another 1 1/2 hours or so 3 standing encores....man what a show !!

Stephen Gambrell · Post by **Stephen Gambrell** » 3 Jun 2014 9:39 am

And Jim Messina got the best Tele tone I ever heard. Rusty believed in that band. Worked his butt off to keep it going.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 3 Jun 2014 10:10 am

Rusty was with POCO from beginning to today. He is doing mostly solo's. Here's a photo of him with my Rittenberry, A picture I treasure.

James Kerr · Post by **James Kerr** » 3 Jun 2014 11:16 am

Say hello to him from Glasgow, and thank you for a great night out.

James Kerr.

Storm Rosson · Post by **Storm Rosson** » 3 Jun 2014 5:54 pm

Great pic Bill, that's a keeper for sure

Roger Francis · Post by **Roger Francis** » 4 Jun 2014 6:18 am

Looks like Timothy B. Playing bass Before he went to the Eagles

David Mason · Post by **David Mason** » 4 Jun 2014 8:41 am

There were a lot of those stories back then, self-proclaimed expert promoters mixing-n-matching bands for a "variety show" effect. I was too young to see Hendrix opening for the Monkees; I did get to see the tail end of the Zappa/Mothers of Inventions + Mahavishnu Orchestra tour. First show, Mahavishnu was the (hired) opening band; second show, Mahavishnu opened and Zappa refused to come out; from the third show on, Zappa opened for them. Zappa was at the peak of his smarmy comedy act back then, and invested some credibility bad-mouthing McLaughlin for "practicing too much" and being too serious. A year later Zappa's noodling had warped into superlocrian modes in 11/8 time.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 5 Jun 2014 7:08 pm

I love all these comments. I think what set POCO apart was their harmonies. Rusty's voice on (Call It Love) sounds exactly like the recording.

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 6 Jun 2014 7:42 am

Don't ever sell that guitar, Bill. For one, it's a Rittenberry. For two, it's got Rusty's DNA on it now. This guitar is priceless with the photo!
You lucky dog, wish I could have been there.

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 6 Jun 2014 6:13 pm

Dennis he also signed it for me.

Dennis Lee · Post by **Dennis Lee** » 6 Jun 2014 7:54 pm

OH Bill, please stop. I can't take anymore!

Bill Dobkins · Post by **Bill Dobkins** » 7 Jun 2014 4:29 am

Your to funny.

Robert Rhea · Post by **Robert Rhea** » 9 Jun 2014 6:53 pm

First concert I ever went to was Poco at the Universal Ampatheatre in L.A. in... early 80's? Rusty also played a non-pedal steel on legs hooked up to a Leslie speaker so he got an organ sound.

David Rupert · Post by **David Rupert** » 17 Jun 2014 5:21 pm

Great pic!!

Where are Ritenbury steels made?

Carl Kilmer · Post by **Carl Kilmer** » 17 Jun 2014 6:03 pm

Rittenberry's are made in Cookeville, Tn.
by Gary Rittenberry. A wonderful guy too.

David Rupert · Post by **David Rupert** » 17 Jun 2014 8:25 pm

Carl Kilmer wrote:Rittenberry's are made in Cookeville, Tn.
by Gary Rittenberry. A wonderful guy too.

Thanks Carl. Rittenberry steels, definitely look very nice!

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Rusty Young of Poco.

Rusty Young of Poco.

Bill

Rusty

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Rittenberry steels & Rusty Young