Richard Marx and Randy Meisner had a musical association for a few years that included Richard’s debut album and Poco’s reunion album. This page focuses on that connection between Richard Marx and Randy and also between Richard and the Poco reunion. A few articles that specifically mention Richard are below, and there are more articles and photos on the Poco Legacy page about the Legacy reunion tour. Audios and videos with the collaboration of Randy, Timothy B. Schmit, and Joe Walsh with Richard are below.
Richard Marx played a big part in the reuniting of the original Poco members for the Legacy tour and the Legacy album, and he wrote “Nothin’ To Hide” to include on their album.
Audios and Videos on this page:
- “Don’t Mean Nothing” album version
- “Don’t Mean Nothing” at The Palace
- “Take It To the Limit” at The Palace (Timothy and Randy sing together)
- Richie Furay with intro of Richard Marx and “Don’t Mean Nothing”
- “Nothin’ To Hide” official video
- “Nothin’ To Hide” on the Tonight Show
- NBC Special
Richard Marx’s debut self-titled album
A few excerpts from Richard Marx’s memoir “Stories To Tell” from pages 95-101
If you’re a Richard Marx fan, you’ll want to read this book.
Randy is trying out Bruce Gaitsch’s unique McPherson guitar – Nov. 2018
Bruce had played guitar on Richard’s album for “Don’t Mean Nothing” and the Poco Legacy album for “Nothin’ To Hide”.
Randy and Timothy B. Schmit recording background vocals on the song “Don’t Mean Nothing” at Capitol Studios for Richard’s debut album. Joe Walsh played guitar on the same track. Richard Marx said this was the first time Randy and Timothy had worked together.
So, there were three Eagles who participated on Richard’s album – 1986
David Cole (producer), Timothy B. Schmit, Randy Meisner, and Richard Marx
Richard Marx, Randy Meisner, and Timothy B. Schmit
Joe Walsh came to Capitol a few days later to add his guitar parts to “Don’t Mean Nothing”.
Randy Meisner, Richard Marx, Joe Walsh, and David Cole (producer)
Richard Marx’s debut album released June 15, 1987
“Don’t Mean Nothing” released as a single May 26, 1987
“Don’t Mean Nothing” – album version with Randy, Timothy, and Joe
Richard Marx’s manager, Allen Kovac, wrote a really nice tribute to Randy after he passed away. Again, this tribute shows how generous Randy was to others.
Allen mentions Art Ford, who was Randy’s long-time friend and years later became his conservator.
Rusty Young, Art Ford, and Randy Meisner
Seated: Gio Loria and Randy Meisner
Standing: Brooke Lizotte and Art Ford
“Former Eagles Joe Walsh, Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit worked with Marx on ‘Don’t Mean Nothing.’ I’m a big Eagles fan. It was obviously a great privilege to have them play on my record.”
Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI) – July 16, 1987
“The single features the lead guitar work of Joe Walsh and vocal harmonies of former Eagles Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit.”
Tulsa World (Tulsa, OK) – Aug. 15, 1987
“But when he recorded the song, Marx had no idea it would climb to No. 3 on the Billboard charts.”
Herald-News (Passaic, NJ) – Sept. 6, 1987
“Even with these rock heavyweights, Richard did not expect it to be a hit. ‘It’s real rock ‘n’ roll,’ he says, ‘and people hadn’t heard a song like that in years. It’s the only song on my album that’s like that and it does have an Eagles feel to it, but there’s a lot of different kinds of music on the record as well’.”
Music & Media Magazine – Feb. 20, 1988
Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmit singing background vocals to “Don’t Mean Nothing” and “Take It To the Limit” on stage at The Palace in Hollywood with Richard Marx for Richard’s MTV Special – Sept. 25, 1987
Richard’s band:
- Paul Warren – lead guitar, vocals
- Jon Walmsley – slide guitar, vocals (Jon was Jason Walton on “The Waltons” TV show.)
- Jim Cliff – bass, vocals
- Mike Derosier – drums
- Dave Koz – saxophone and keyboards, vocals
Kneeling: Paul Warren and Jim Cliff
Standing: Dave Koz, Jon Walmsley, Richard Marx, and Mike Derosier
“Don’t Mean Nothing”
Paul Warren, Jim Cliff, Jon Walmsley, Dave Koz, and Mike Derosier
Special Guests: Timothy B. Schmit and Randy Meisner
“Take It To the Limit”
Paul Warren, Jim Cliff, Jon Walmsley, Dave Koz, and Mike Derosier
Special Guests: Timothy B. Schmit and Randy Meisner
Backstage after singing “Take It To the Limit”
Timothy and Richard
Richard and Randy
“The singer’s manager, Allen Kovac, informed Marx that Meisner and Schmit belonged to a band named Poco. Curious, Marx rushed out and purchased a ‘Poco’s Greatest Hits’ compact disc.”
S. Florida Sun Sentinel (Ft. Lauderdale, FL) – Apr. 8, 1989
Cash Box – Sept. 16, 1989
“With David Cole at the production helm, the group’s new album includes songs by Messina, Young, and Furay, as well as a track penned by Richard Marx and sung by Meisner.”
Billboard magazine – Sept. 30, 1989
Des Moines Register (Des Moines, IA) – Feb. 1, 1990
“Marx also has a nice sense of rock-and-roll history: He recently helped revive Poco, the country-rock ensemble that nurtured musicians who rode to greater heights (notably The Eagles and Loggins & Messina) and helped them record a nice reunion album, ‘Legacy.’ In fact, some members of Poco played on Marx’ 1987 debut album.”
Newsday Nassau Edition (Hempstead, NY) – Feb. 13, 1990
“In a recent phone interview from a tour stop in Colorado, Young said that a hot new pop name, Richard Marx, helped Poco secure a record deal. Marx agreed to write and produce a song for the Poco project, a selling point that Young said was vital to the band’s landing its deal with RCA records.”
Citizens’ Voice (Wilkes-Barre, PA) – July 16, 1990
“Nothin’ To Hide” written by Richard Marx and Bruce Gaitsch
Richie Furay with a brief intro of Richard Marx and “Nothin’ To Hide”
“Nothin’ To Hide” official video with Randy Meisner
“Nothin’ To Hide” performed on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Richard Marx and Poco working on the vocals for “Nothin’ To Hide”
Richard produced “Nothin’ to Hide”, that he co-wrote along with Bruce Gaitsch. Richard is credited with singing background vocals on the song on the Legacy album, and Bruce is credited for acoustic guitar.
Richard Marx, Randy Meisner, Rusty Young, George Grantham, and Richie Furay
Rusty Young, George Grantham, Richard Marx, Randy Meisner, and Richie Furay
Radio and Records magazine full-page ad – Nov. 10, 1989
A 70s Celebration: The Beat Is Back – NBC TV Special
Randy and Richard Marx performed “Take It To the Limit” at the Wiltern Theatre in Los Angeles for the NBC special televised Nov. 16, 1993
“Take It To the Limit” starts at approx. 1:44:00, and Randy is introduced by John Schneider and Tom Wopat (Bo Duke and Luke Duke).
Richard Marx and Randy on stage at the Wiltern Theatre
Sheboygan Press (Sheboygan, WI) – Nov. 16, 1993
Honolulu Star-Bulletin (Honolulu, HI) – Nov. 16, 1993
Star-Phoenix (Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada) – Nov. 16, 1993
Manhattan Mercury (Manhattan, KS) – Nov. 16, 1993
Dayton Daily News (Dayton, OH) – Nov. 16, 1993
Wiltern Theatre on Wilshire Blvd. in Los Angeles
capacity 1,850
Great post, Diana! I never knew that Art Ford was a long time friend of Randy’s until awhile ago. I love that you found the older picture of Rusty, Art and Randy. I have never seen that one before. You are amazing!
Judging by the hair and since Rusty is in the pic I’m certain it was taken during the Legacy tour. I “think” it was taken in Amsterdam, but can’t verify that 100% yet.
So enjoyable to see and hear Randy singing with all the others. He would have been the best friend anybody could have asked for. Love all his music.
No doubt about it. He would have been a loyal friend, too. That’s why friendships with Joe Walsh and others lasted for years.
Thank you Diana for the time and effort you put into what you do, especially on things such as this. There’s so much history here that people need to know. Randy had his issues, for sure, but his heart was true, and he was a loving, kind and gentle man. He would help anyone he could if he was able to, as evidenced by other people and the way they spoke about him, most notably Richard. And the fact that he was able to remain friends with so many other musicians, whether having previously played with them or not, speaks to the man himself. Dare I say, the phrase “To know him is to love him”, fits him well.
Thank you again for putting this out there for all to see. It is a credit to you and a blessing to his friends and family.
Thank you for your kind comment. This page about Randy and Richard was fun to put together, and the more I got into it the more I liked it. Randy did seem to go the extra mile to help other musicians with their projects, and it was fun to uncover the things that happened during this association together. I truly believe Richard Marx benefited from Randy and vice versa.