Poco was one of my favorite bands growing up. Sadly I just learned that two of its driving members passed away, back in 2021 — Paul Cotton (far right) and the band’s soul, Rusty Young (second from right).

By luck, Marlene and I had the pleasure of seeing Rusty sing and perform his famed steel guitar across the lake five years ago at the Bigfork’s Crown Guitar Festival.

While Poco never reached the commercial fame commensurate with their talent, they were considered very influential in the early “Eagle-ish” country-rock genre. Indeed, Timothy B. Schmidt (far left) went on join the Eagles.

I came across this nice tribute recording from Ritchie Furay (second from left, above), Poco’s original founder:

Don’t judge me, but I am a shameless Beach Boys fan. They remind me of summer.

I came across this impressive Fendertones rendition of Brian Wilson’s Let Him Run Wild. Back when they had “45s” — yes, I remember them — this was the “B-side” song to the big hit California Girls. It is considered Brian Wilson’s turning point away from the “surf’n safari” songs, into more complex (possibly drug induced) compositions.

Big sound here with a lot of participants on the stage!

Unbeknownst to me, the Fendertones are a group of musicians that gather every now and then to perform Beach Boys songs — exceptionally well.

Here is Brian Wilson’s re-recording of the 1965 song (33 years later) on his Imagination album:

I randomly came across this great opening scene from Once Upon A Time In The West.

Effective camera frames and angles. Great set. And what cowboy, worth his salt, doesn’t coolly play his harmonica before a shootout?

But, if looks could kill.

Where are the replacements for these two guys?