Sixty years ago, members of the Denver group, The Soul Survivors, discovered Randy Meisner while scouting for new bass players at a Battle Of The Bands competition. Here we take a closer look at the band battle and Randy’s first days as a member of the Soul Survivors, including their subsequent move to Los Angeles, where they became The Poor.
This excerpt from CANYON OF DREAMS: THE MAGIC AND MUSIC OF LAUREL CANYON by Harvey Kubernik describes Randy’s arrival in California in 1966 and his introduction to the L.A. music scene.
Randy Meisner was a farm boy, who discovered his natural gift for singing at an early age. He had visions of going to California, where “all musicians from the Midwest dreamed of being.” Here we trace his origins, going back to the Volga region of Russia, to his upbringing in rural Nebraska, all the way to the Sunset Strip.
Drummer Patrick Shanahan, founding member of Denver’s Soul Survivors, their offshoot, The Poor, and later Rick Nelson’s Stone Canyon Band, generously shared his memories with me about his life and career.
In December 1969, James Taylor began recording his landmark album, SWEET BABY JAMES. Randy Meisner played bass on two tracks on the album. He would later say this experience was one of the highlights of his career.
The Poor were among several acts on the Decca label who served as entertainment for a Decca Records promotional seminar in early August 1968. Randy’s ex-wife, Jennifer, recalled the the band performed “right inside the entrance as people were waiting to get on the trams.”
The Poor was included in photos of the seminar from Cash Box magazine, August 31, 1968
Randy took this photo of his wife Jennifer at Universal Studios during the Decca event.
(Photo courtesy of Jennifer Meisner)
Photo was possibly taken by Henry Diltz, who took some early photos of the band, according to Randy. The image appears to have been shot outdoors, which matches Diltz’s style.
An overlooked, yet pivotal, period of Randy Meisner’s career took place between 1966 and 1968 when he was a member of the short-lived, Denver garage rock band, The Poor. Here, I hope to provide a comprehensive look at the band’s origins and brief existence on the L.A. music scene during the Summer Of Love.
Through interview excerpts, Randy describes his early life and career, up until the formation of the Eagles.
In April 1977, the Eagles were interviewed for BBC Radio 1 in London. Each member was interviewed individually, including Randy who answered questions for a full six minutes.
The following article appeared in the June 7th, 1967 issue of Broadside, a Boston-based folk music magazine. The Poor are described as “five groovy young men,” whose “vocal blend is intricate, funky, and lots of fun.”
