Richie Furay started his musical career playing folk clubs as a solo artist in the 1960s, as well as with bands like the Monks and the Au Go Go Singers (which included Stephen Stills in the lineup). After meeting Neil Young they formed Buffalo Springfield with Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin. When Buffalo Springfield disbanded in 1968, Furay and Jim Messina (who had replaced Palmer in the Springfield) formed a new band, Poco, with steel guitar player Rusty Young, George Grantham, and Randy Meisner.