LIVIN’ IN THE BAND - episode one: GEORGE GRANTHAM
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- Greetings, Poco People - today, I sat down with original Poco drummer George Grantham and his wife Debbie on the porch to talk about leaving Colorado for LA to join Poco, about Early Times, about Nashville and meeting Debbie, and the hope for better days ahead.
Poco is the greatest country rock band ever, and what a live act they were in their original incarnation! I saw them ca. ‘72, and it is very difficult to imagine perfect 5-part harmony until you hear it, but what a mind-blower. JD Souther opened. Thanks for posting this.
George I miss you all so much. I've been listening to your music and going to your concerts since 1971. Last time I saw you was in Steelville Mo. a few years ago. Since then we've lost Rusty and Paul. I sure miss those days with your great music. I will never forget those days.
What a find! I played poco albums non stop to copy all of George’s drumming….one of the best ever!
Poco was HUGE everywhere on the East Coast when I was living in D.C....BIG fans in high school and college from the beginning. Everybody had Deliverin' and had been following Buffalo Springfield previously. George is amazing; looking good, man.
George I think you are a great drummer.
Poco was one of the best bands ever..
Rusty Young you did well and sleep softly..
Randy Meisner you are the Golden Eagle
Australia
I've been a Poco Nut many years. I've used some of your drum licks and fills often
This is pretty amazing. I talked to Rusty Young in 2010, and I specifically asked about George. Rusty got real serious, said George isn't doing well at all. He said he didn't think George would ever be okay again. But George looks great in this interview. And we unfortunately just lost Rusty a week ago today. So happy to see George looking so healthy
And now Paul
George Grantham!!! You are far from forgotten from your music contribution to POCO and all that you did as a drummer and musician!! As a lover of drums , you rule!!! You played on a wide range of drum music!!!! You are a hall of fame drummer for sure!!! We love you !!!!
I always wondered who sang the beautiful high harmony that gave Poco such musical depth and distinction. It started when I saw Poco perform a good feeling to know on Don Kirshner‘s rock concert in 1972. I had my Panasonic cassette tape recorder up against the TV, and I taped it.I think I’m the only 12 year old Italian kid living in the Bronx who was playing a good feeling to know on the accordion. Then I went to Woolworths department store, and I bought Deliverin’ and I was hooked. The album notes were written by Pete Fornatale, at WNEW102.7 FM. I did not have anyone to share these treasures with, but I have a good ear, and I knew I was hearing something very, very, special.The outtros to Early Days. . . . Angel, Drivin’ Wheel, just masterful. and when poco seven came out, I was just floored. Many years later around 1999, I met Paul Cotton RIP, at Norm’s Guitar Shop in Los Angeles. He was living in St. Petersburg at the time. Paul was so excited, ecstatic really, that George had rejoined Poco, and with good reason, who else could sing and play those parts. George, you are gifted. The Grantham/Schmitt rhythm section, is right up there with the Beatles. I studied every tune. You’ve given me so much joy. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU 🙏🏻
It's wonderful to see George looking so well. I grew up in Denver in the 60s and saw Poco (the first of many, many times) in 1969 at the Denver pop festival. Before that, Boenze Creeque was a local favorite band so I always considered George and Rusty to be ours. I'm 71 now and Poco is still my favorite band. I have Richie's handwritten lyrics to Pickin' up the pieces and a picture of Richie and I together in the 80s. My brothers and I flew to St. Lewis to see Poco and have a program signed by Rusty, George, Jack Sunrud and Paul Cotton framed in my den. God bless you guys!
Denver Pop is where I first saw them. My two friends and I rode a Greyhound bus from Nocona, Texas, to see Hendrix. I had never heard of Poco, but I was mesmerized by their music, and they turned out to be my favorite band of the festival. I turn 70 next week, and I’ve been listening to them since 1969.
God Bless them! We got to see Poco in Salem OR at the Oregon State Fair, a couple years ago. Wonderful!
So nice to see George and Debbie here on the porch. All the best in 2023!
God Bless you all!
Got to see Poco just a very short time before George had the stroke. His drumming was fantastic and people forget how great a singer George was. Rusty ordered George to the front of the stage to sing harmony with him. Rockfest at Cadott Wisconsin gave fantastic memories because of Poco. Thank you George and RIP Rusty.
That first Poco album changed my life! George's crackling energy on the drum kit!! I was 14 years old, and along with Jim Fox, Jerry Edmonton and Don Brewer, you got my drumming inspiration going! Thank you!!
Love George on Seven, Drivin' Wheel!
Yes!!!!!!!
I met George briefly following a men's Bible study on a Saturday at Church On The Way, fall 1979. I was leaving California, wondering if I would ever play music again. George was with Michael Omartian and a gentleman from Seawind. Just talking to George for those few minutes was such an encouragement to me. Fwiw, I've been singing about Jesus ever since. George you were an instrument in the Lord's hands that brought comfort to me in my time of change and uncertainty. God bless you. So great to see you in health.
God Bless George and Debbie, So good to see you are doing well George, Poco means so much to me!!
he means a lot to us too, brother. thanks. :)
P0CO the fathers of country rock, the band that the Eagles stole 2 bass players from.Something wrong with their marketing back then .These are the guys that showed the Eagles how to do country rock before it was even called that.Eagles are great and now they have Vince Gill ,can't beat that but Poco was just as good or better,so glad I got to talk to Rusty back stage for about half an hr. In Pittsfield,Ma.RIP Rusty
As one who has seen a lot of stroke victims over the course of my career, George seems to have made a very good recovery and shows very little residual damage. A lot of them can't stand or use both/all limbs equally. It is so good to see him and Debbie.
he had a rough couple of years, for sure...but it's great to see him in such a good place.
Like George, I am a stroke victim too. My stroke left me paralyzed on my entire right side. I have often wondered if George felt the rigors of playing drums and simultaneously singing the very high harmonies of Poco songs led to having his stroke. I have read he was stricken during a performance. I am very pleased he is doing so well.
I discovered Poco accidentally about 10 years ago. It’s a shame they weren’t bigger. I love hearing these stories.
I was there on that night in Springfield Massachusetts when George's life changed. Thanks Tom for this interview. So nice to see George and Debbie so happy!
glad you liked the piece...can't imagine what it must've been like to have been in the crowd for that show. we'll be hearing more from George down the road, though, no doubt. :)
@@TheOfficialPocoUA-camChannel It was surreal. The band (Rusty, Paul and Jack) started the song, and about 10 seconds in Rusty said hold on and they stopped playing. Rusty knew something was off in the tempo. Confusion reigned and Rusty came to the mic and said "Is there a doctor in the house???"....a few seconds later he said, "no joke is there a doctor in the crowd??" A nurse (at least one) went to the stage and 911 was called. Nobody knew just what had happened.....after a while (an hour?) the guys came out and played a couple songs, but stopped soon thereafter because their hearts were with George.
Great to see/hear you George! Still one of my favorite drummers ever!. Thank you Tom, for the interview!
happy to do it...and I'm sure we'll be hearing more from George in time, as well.
Best harmonies of any band!
Great interview, Tom! it was so nice seeing George and Debbie again. Happy Birthday, Debbie! I miss you guys! Thank you.
thanks!
Any relation to Paul?
Great interview Tom, and so good to see George in such good shape again.
thanks, man! great to chat with you today. :)
GREAT to see George and talk about this very special band and relationship. And such good laughs! Thank you!
thanks! glad you enjoyed it. :)
A treasure . Poco great band , great music , contributed a lot to country rock. Great drummer , super person. My best .
I love this relaxed, conversational style of the interview (as opposed to highly-edited question-answer style). More, please!
yeah, Jason - that's the whole point, for sure. there'll be at least three or four more of these coming...possibly more, depending on how things shake out down the road. thanks for the kind words!
Thank you for this great home-style interview! I have loved Poco since my brother came home with the Deliverin' album, and Poco was actually the first band I ever saw in concert; it was 1973 at what would be my alma mater a few years down the road, Buffalo State College. I am so glad George is doing well and has a lovely wife in Debbie. I was one of the people who bought the silver Poco art pins to benefit George's rehabilitation. Happy that he's back to normal.
George you are loved by this guy in CT.....loved your playing and harmonies...you are looking great
George is a cool dude and this is so cool seeing him here! Wow modern times changes it all! Great harmonies and drums...Hurry Up is a real groover !
What a treat!
That was terrific! Thanks, Tom. Best wishes to Debbie and George!!
thanks, man!
@@TheOfficialPocoUA-camChannel Thank you Tom for bringing George and Debbie our good wishes, it means a lot to the fans!!
Great to see you, fond memories of POCO, greetings from Ireland, keep well
Saw George also with Ricky Skaggs in greensboro around 1982...great show and hus singing,meaning George,was soaring!
Happy Birthday Debbie you and George you are looking great!
Tom, if this music thing doesn’t work out for ya’ there is quite obviously a future in journalism. Wonderful job brother. I can’t thank you enough. Kroney
that's kind of you to say, but I don't think I'd be quite as enthusiastic about talking to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B...I'll stick with my heroes, brother. :)
saw poco way back in 1976 in wolverhampton uk, george was at the top of his game then with rusty, paul and timothy
Awesome interview Tom!!!
Happy Birthday Debbie!
Great interview. I've George, nice guy.
thanks!
Where's episode 2?