Richie Furay- The Good & Bad of The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band

[@flippercarlin1657]

I'm very blessed to have Richie's hand written lyrics to Good Feelin' To Know framed and on my wall ❤️ he's still a dear friend I met in Colorado in 1974

[@lfalco13]

Yes, I remember buying the first record because of the “Falling in Love” song. I played this album over and over again. I loved it!

[@psychodelicrock12]

I bought their debut album 8 years ago at a used record store and regretted never listening to it decades ago at my brother in law’s house when opportunities were available.

[@daddio307]

As far as I'm concerned, 'Good Feeling to Know' WAS a huge hit, at least with me. I simply loved that album and played it to death.

[@chaliceguard4575]

Love Poco's music! So much talent there! "A Good Feelin to Know" was always a huge hit for me.

[@regionalunityproductions6204]

Richie has always been a bit of an enigma to me, I guess because he was always so "low-key", but I have always been a big fan of B.S/Poco and great to see him on top of his game. Wow! What energy, too! good luck and God bless!

[@patrickrose8903]

I saw Poco in 1972 73? The complete band was there. One the best bands ever!

[@groverbaker6404]

That first lp is a phenomenal record!! Love you richie

[@ardylang8467]

The 1st SHF Band album is one of my top ten of all time.. still listening to.. JD n Richie had some great songs on it.

[@psychodelicrock12]

This is one of my favorite albums of all time.

[@psychodelicrock12]

A reunion of this group is long overdue.

[@robbrown4621]

I saw Poco perform in support of Good Feelin' To Know at Brooklyn College. They were awesome. This was only my second concert in my life. They were outstanding. The Whitman Auditorium was almost sold out, which was truly cool because I didn't have any friends that were into anything with country rock influences. But, I think WNEW-FM was playing the album a lot, especially the late morning DJ, Pete Fornetell. Wish I could go back to the moment and relive it once again. I think they opened with Early Times. I can still remember hearing Good Feelin'. Great moment!

[@jimabs3317]

That DJ's name, Pete Fornetell, seems familiar to me. Among the Poco albums I used to have was a doulbe album anthology called "The Very Best of Poco," covering their first 8 albums, and on the back was commentary on the band and those albums. Can't say for sure, but I have a feeling that was the name of the guy who wrote those notes. Unfortunately I found it necessary back in the late 90's (for lack of space & money) to unload almost all of my record collection, (numbering probably several hundred). In fact, I can't even find the few I thought I had hung onto (incl. probably, Good Feelin' and Crazy Eyes). So I can't check if that's the name of the guy that wrote those album notes.

[@kahlesjf]

Poco's first eight albums were full of incredible music. People don't know what they missed.

[@peteroates2908]

Bought the SHF band album from imported stall, falling in love Border Town ❤ i🎉played the album to all my friends and they loved it too greatly under rated 😮xx.

[@robertwager3661]

I was lucky enough to see the SHF Band on their only tour , including Al Perkins,Paul Harris ,The legendary Jim Gordon , also Joe Layla Aug 30 1974 at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium . I was a junior at Bellflower High School . Seen Quite a few good groups at that great Location. I would put the SHF first album up against any Eagles album .

[@stillastillsfan]

I was wondering when you would finally get to SHF... Loved these guys. Still listening to the two albums to this day.

[@barrymccreary9565]

I loved the sother hillman furay tunes

[@grammie8190]

Another band I loved!!

[@donbrown4400]

I still have that album and consider it one of my 5 favorites of all time. Thank you Richie.

[@c.d.macaulay66]

Saw SHF . It was a welcome back to school concert at U of Maryland. Good show. “Border Town” and “(Feels Like) Fallin’ in Love” we’re standouts.

[@timothyturner8634]

I love Richie! Blessed to see Poco 3 times around LA, especially opening for Yes '73 at the Fabulous Forum.

[@wnewfmer]

I seems that Richie is saying he became part of SHF after the "Good Feelin' To Know" album. I thought it was right after the "Crazy Eyes" album?

[@NickRatnieks]

Yes, that first SHF album was great but it came out after On The Border and by then the Eagles were on a roll. I will listen to Falling In Love right now- it's such a great song and interesting to know about the intro 48 years on!

[@grimaceize]

Saw SHF August 8, 1974. they opened for Three Dog Night at the Arie Crown Theater. What a group of super talented guys and a great band. I remember that one of the band announced that Pres. Nixon was resigning.

[@cranwell5481]

I saw them open for 3 Dog Night as well. Springfield (Ma) Civic Center. I was there for SHF but I thought it was an odd combination. Someone kept yelling “Is that Jim Gordon from Derek & The Dominos? What a shame. “

[@trevorheta4192]

Border town top stuff ☺👌🙋👍 listening to it from New Zealand

[@gibson3798]

Great remarks. Cool guy with great priorities.

[@jamesbush3665]

Great title song and one of the greatest albums of the early 70s -- Everyone I played it for wanted to hear more of it -- Mystery to me also -- I guess Richie didn't sign the same contract as the Eagles did, if you know what I mean?

[@anthonyfoutch3152]

I saw The S H F Band at the Ozark music Festival in 1974. Hell of a festival.

[@jamesbeshears6717]

So true ....it always looks good on paper

[@darlenegolden9251]

If it weren't for Poco there'd be no Eagles. Had the good fortune to see them several times in small venues back in the midwest in 71 when Messina was still with them. Ain't seen nothin' like 'em since. Wish we could do it all again. Rest in peace Rusty and Paul and Randy. Y'all gave us a great show. Thank you.

[@peteshallcross787]

Never saw them but I'd like to trade one of my Eagles concerts for a Poco concert. Introduced my new wife to Poco and she loves them!

[@michaelwas8549]

Freaking love this stuff!

[@bunkyboy]

The Richie album I like best is "I've Got A Reason". Omartian produces and Tom Stipe and a couple of boys from Love Song join up. How can you go wrong? The songs are classic Richie and well...Omartian. Thanks for those Omartian interviews too. Also enjoy the other Rock History channels as well. Keep 'em coming and good health.

[@jpsmusicandmore5457]

What a good guy

[@CoventGardenSinger]

Great interview 👍🏽👍🏻

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

I owned the "Good Feeling to Know" LP way back when. The title song got fair airplay in South Florida but didn't break which is mystifying. It's at least as good as any Eagles song. Better I mean.

[@c.d.macaulay66]

Indeed.

[@samstevens7172]

First Poco album I bought (and still own). Not sure I agree it’s better than any Eagles song, (in fact not sure I think it’s the best on that album) but a very good song. Poco was criminally under appreciated.

[@peteshallcross787]

@@samstevens7172 Never got tired of Poco as I did the Eagles.

[@simplethings474]

This guy is too cool.

[@Dougdenslowe714]

“Picking up the Pieces” was played constantly in San Francisco when it was released.If Poco would have been slightly more rock and a little less country (Like Springfield) they may have made it.Maybe not, but they would have had a shot like the Eagles had.Just saying........

[@Dougdenslowe714]

CS&N had a stash of Still’s songs written during his Buffalo Springfield days that never got recorded.(Listen to “Just Roll Tape”.)With Crosby and Nash’s harmonies, how could it miss?Had Buffalo Springfield been more patient (especially Neil) there may have been a different ending to the story.

[@AGENTSseries]

niceeee

[@jglenf]

The best thing about " Fallin in Love" was the vocals. Like Poco they sounded great but like " Good Feelin to Know", the lyrics were insipid. You can't get the people to love it if you're talking about nothing.

[@dougodyssey50]

Thank God for Al Perkins!

[@rjb7569]

I thought the reason SHF broke up was because Souther wasn't putting up sufficient effort on Furay's songs... Superstardom isn't worth the chase. Quality, like Poco was (a top 3 ever act, for me, along with the Beatles and Bruce), certainly was worth continuing.

[@wnewfmer]

Richie is a gentleman. We may not be getting the rest of the story.....

[@lockedin60]

I think trying to replicate Lightning in a Bottle is almost impossible to do. if it had been more organic instead of staged that things would have been different. But I think if one member is experiencing a life changing moment it can bring changes to a band. Nothing against what Richie was experiencing but it just didn't workout. I never thought that JD ever wanted the all that fame and fortune. Chris was always a working man band member. The biggest tragedy was the complete utter destruction of Jim Gordon's mind. I know that can be a mind blowing experience. My maternal side of the family, an uncle experienced a mental breakdown while in his early 20's and spent the remainder of his life in institutional care. I never met him nor ever was able to establish a relationship with him.

[@ronalddenhaan6843]

Richie is probably the most underrated member of Buffalo Springfield, as he was not one of the two flashier guitar player/singers. I think his stint with Souther/Hillman/Furay was a good one and it could have been even better, had he not had marital issues weighing down the project. I don't think comparison with Crosby, Stills, and Nash are valid, as they are totally different bands with CS&N having a better vocal blend and better overall song writing. But SHF had Richie who is an outstanding singer who sings from his heart. Maybe under better circumstances, the band may have flourished (we will never know). Chris Hillman's more countrified roots would have worked well with Richie and JD may have come up with some amazing material. Richie was the most distinctive and a standout - Lots of potential that was covered up by personal problems. Despite any hardships, Richie always seems like a happy and blessed man so hope he carries on for a long time to come!

[@anthonytomeo6950]

I saw SHF play in Binghamton, NY. They opened for Three Dog Night, which was odd in its own right. But I could tell the chemistry just wasn't there. Souther looked unhappy.

[@mrb4886]

I was sure GFTK was a number one too!

[@c.d.macaulay66]

Loved the first two Poco records. Richie should have been a much bigger star. I saw SHF in college. But he's right when he said the band wasn't CSNY. Something was missing. Love "Fallin' in Love", but the best song on the debut is "Border Town". Unfortunately, the second album was a mess and now we know why.

[@impalaman9707]

It always breaks my heart when someone pioneers something, and someone else comes along with the very same idea and steals their thunder. That's what the Eagles did to Poco. Of course, you could say that they did that to the Flying Burrito Brothers, as well. It's stories like this that make me wished the Eagles had NEVER existed! They should have all just stayed fat, dumb and happy as Linda Rondstadt's backing band!

[@meridianleeward6370]

I remember how disappointed i was when i brought SHF it was bland, the songwriting was well below par and it had none of the energy that made Poco so great. It was typical of the whole Geffen/asylum releases. Just dull. One of the worst periods in music. Poco to their credit just kept getting better.

[@c.d.macaulay66]

I can’t stand “Take It Easy”. The Eagles are one of, if not THE most, overrated bands in R&R history.

[@PasstheCapo]

You’re on you’re own there buddy

[@jimideez9829]

I hate the F'in' Eagles man...The Dude.

[@editingmatters]

It's simple, clean, basic, unbusy, digestible rock and roll...with smooth harmonies...and lyrics that tell an engaging story - even provocative for the times.