Jim Messina’s resume includes work with some of the most influential acts in contemporary music history.
As one critic wrote: “there would be no Eagles without Jim Messina.” He helped pioneer the sound of country rock that the Eagles perfected and countless others have followed.
Messina, 77, was in vintage form Thursday during a concert in Savannah Center. He was a part of an ultra-tight, five-piece band. The quality of their music enhanced Messina’s songs that left an indelible mark on his fans.
It didn’t take long for the crowd to sing along on such numbers as “Pooh Corner,” “Danny’s Song” and “Mama Don’t Dance.”
It’s all part of Messina’s remarkable music DNA. This guy, who now lives – fittingly enough – in Nashville, played a major role in country music evolution.
His journey started in the ‘60s, when he helped produce and later played with the Buffalo Springfield. That band made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and included Neil Young and Stephen Stills.
Messina was a founding member of the group Poco, who helped jumpstart the country rock movement of the ‘70s. Members included Richie Furay, along with Randy Meisner and Timothy B. Schmitt. Those two later joined another Hall of Fame band, The Eagles.
Messina wrote Poco’s first hit record, “You Better Think Twice.” He played that song early on in the set, and it featured a steady beat and driving guitars. Listen close, and you could hear the genesis of the Eagles.
After leaving Poco, Messina teamed with Kenny Loggins, and they had a string of best sellers during the ‘70s. This was before Loggins moved on to a successful solo career.
Messina started playing “Your Mama Don’t Dance,” and just about everyone in Savannah Center started singing the introduction to the rock classic.
“Almost every show on this tour, the audience has been singing great,” Messina said from center stage. “Back in the day when Kenny and I would sing this song, some clowns would join in. They were usually stoned. You folks are sober”
“Not all of us,” a voice yelled out.
“I guess there’s one of the clowns,” Messina joked.
There were more honky-tonk rock sounds on “Listen to a Country Song.” Things slowed down on the moody, introspective “Watching the River Run.”
Kenny Loggins wrote “Pooh Corner,” a delightful, soft, nostalgic remembrance of childhood, with references to Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin.
“Sometimes I forget the lyrics to these songs (from) so long ago,” Messina said. The audience helped him remember with another intro into the tender classic “Danny’s Song.”
The people knew the lyrics by heart and they were ready to sing:
“People smile and tell me I’m the lucky one/And we’ve just begun/Think I’m gonna have a son…And even though we ain’t got money/I’m so in love with you, honey/And everything will bring a chain of love…”
The song later became a best seller for Anne Murray, but on this night it belonged to Messina and his fans.
After the nearly 90-minute show, Messina said he would return to the stage for a “conversation” with fans.
“You can ask me any question you want – but I don’t know if I will answer,” he said with a grin.
On this night, however, Jim Messina had all the answers in his music.
Tony Violanti writes about music and entertainment for Villages-News.com. He was inducted into The Buffalo Music Hall of Fame as a music journalist.