These questionnaires, with handwritten responses, were to be included in an early Poco fan club newsletter that never materialized. All of the original members filled one out, except Jim Messina, who declined, according to fan club president, Cindy Dakin.
These were kindly shared with me by Jim McCaffery, who was given copies of the questionnaires by Dakin many years ago. Randy’s answers were filled out in pencil and can be difficult to read. I have translated his responses, as best I could, for each page. At the time of these questionnaires, the band was still known by their original name, Pogo. The date would be circa late 1968/early 1969.
Randy
WHAT IS YOUR REAL FULL NAME? Randall H. Meisner
WHEN AND WHERE WERE YOU BORN? Scottsbluff, Nebraska
WHAT IS YOUR ASTROLOGICAL SIGN? Pisces
WHAT IS THE COLOR OF YOUR HAIR AND EYES? light brn. -eyes blue.
WHAT IS YOUR HEIGHT? 5’11”
WHO ARE YOUR FAVORITE RECORDING ARTISTS? Many
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB IN REGARDS TO MUSIC? a small club in Wyoming called little moon lake
WHAT GROUPS WERE YOU IN BEFORE JOINING POGO? Two Nebr groups and one Denver group.1
WHAT INSTRUMENTS DO YOU PLAY? guitar and bass.
HOW OLD WERE YOU WHEN YOU RECEIVED YOUR FIRST GUITAR? twelve
IF YOU HAD TO SPEND THE REST OF YOUR LIFE IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY, WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE AND WHY? I really don’t know because I’ve never been to any, and couldn’t make a judgement until I’ve seen them.
DONOVAN SINGS ABOUT HIS LOVE FOR HIS FAVORITE SHIRT AND JEANS, IF YOU HAD TO SING A SONG ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE ARTICLE OF CLOTHING, WHAT WOULD YOU SING ABOUT? I don’t have a favorite to sing about, yet!
IF YOU HAD TO CHANGE YOUR NAME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IT TO?
DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS OR LESS
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME? I try not to have any.
WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE FOODS? german foods and fruits
DO YOU EVER GO TO THE CLUBS IN HOLLYWOOD WHEN YOU ARE NOT APPEARING SOMEWHERE? Sometimes but not very often.
WHICH DO YOU ENJOY MOST–RECORDING OR PERFORMING? I enjoy both, but I think I like recording a little more.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? many,
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE TELEVISION SHOW? I don’t like T.V. that much, but when I do watch it, most of the time its old movies.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SONG? Many
WHAT IS YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL AS A MUSICIAN? to be as entertaining as possible and have fun.
DESCRIBE EACH OF THE OTHER POGOS IN THREE OR LESS WORDS.
GEORGE— humble and kind
RICHIE— full of life and go
JIM— withdrawn
RUSTY— changes from day to day
1 The two Nebraska groups were The Thunderbirds (originally The Deacons) and The Drivin’ Dynamics. The Denver group was The Poor (originally The Soul Survivors).
Richie
Photo © Michael Miller
Rusty
George
If only they had a glimpse of what was to come. Great answers, lol.
Jim Messina later found fame with Kenny Loggins in the duo Loggins & Messina.