A Southern California country rock band originally formed by Richie Furay, Jim Messina and Rusty Young following the demise of Buffalo Springfield in 1968 (the title of their first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, is a reference to the break-up of that band). Highly influential and creative, they were pioneers of the country rock genre and forerunners of the Americana genre. Throughout the years Poco has performed in various groupings, and is still active today.

After Neil Young and Steve Stills had left Buffalo Springfield, only Furay and Messina had been left to complete the Last Time Around album, with a guest appearance by Rusty Young on pedal steel. The three stayed together and recruited drummer/vocalist George Grantham and bassist/singer Randy Meisner. This lineup made its debut at the Troubadour in November 1968. A month later, they made their first appearance at the Fillmore West on a bill with the Steve Miller Band and Sly & the Family Stone. David Geffen, then with Columbia, managed to trade Messina's and Furay's contracts with Atlantic for those of Crosby and Stills.

Meisner left before the first album, Pickin' Up the Pieces, was completed, and was replaced by Paul Cotton. The album was well received by critics but did not do especially well in sales.

Bassist/vocalist Timothy B. Schmit was added in 1970.

Furay left in 1974 to form the Souther Hillman Furay Band.