My condolences to Rusty's wife and family. I was a huge fan and followed his whole career, and saw him (Poco) in concert several times throughout the years. I remember when Poco was the opening act for a new band called the Eagles in the St. Paul Civic Center. Key Poco members left over the years and I always worried how they would be able to survive. Somehow Rusty's talent and leadership was so spectacular, he kept the band together, bringing in new members without skipping a beat.
The band and their music just kept getting better, musically and vocally.
Your music was an inspiration to me when I was performing with bands in the late 60's and 70's. Needless to say, we were mostly playing country-rock at a time when most bands weren't. Thanks for giving me so much enjoyment.
Last, but not least, I could tell by Rusty's energy and personality on stage, that he was a great person also.
God Bless You Rusty !!!

Was in the fall of '69 or spring of '70 when I first saw Poco in Buffalo NY. My future wife was in the same crowd, tho we didn't meet for another 3 years. When we did get together we found that we had duplicates of many rock albums; but the groups we each had the most of was Poco and Buffalo Springfield. You have been a big part of our lives ever since. Clubs and venues small and bigger - the JCC in Westchester; Jones Beach; Patchoque, Daryl's House in Pawling where I saw you and then in Denver 4 days later when she and our daughter saw you in Aurora Co, when Richey sat in. Will miss your kind smile.
The sun is a little less bright; the mountain breeze a little chillier; all because you're not here to sing about it for and with us.

So sad to hear of Rusty's passing. He and his band POCO were an inspiration to me in times of great stress; their songs will continue to bring me great pleasure and happiness, as I recall the joy in seeing them in concert. My sincere condolences to Mary and the family. RIP Rusty...see you down the road.

Mary and Family, My condolences on your loss. May Rusty lay in peace and may his memory be a blessing. I started seeing Poco in New Jersey in late 60s, early 70s....on Boardwalk in Asbury Park, at a minor league ballpark in Jersey City. Rusty was a wildman back then. I was in band at the time and I'd never seen a steel pedal playing through a Leslie Tone Cabinet.
I got to meet Richie a few times at a place called Nissi's and got to cross that off my bucket list. But I was waiting to see Rusty in Arvada this fall. He'll always be in my mind and heart.

Oh dear Rusty, my soul is both sad and at peace at the same time. On a personal level, I am deeply sad, because my heart is broken due to the untimely and sudden loss of one of my musical heros. At the same time, I am at peace, because I have no doubt that the man who possessed such a kind, generous and gentle soul is now whole again in Heaven. I can so see God welcoming him home and saying, "enter my good and faithful servant - well done!" May God please comfort Mary, his family and all of us who are mourning. Rest in Peace, Rusty.

My wife Pauline and I went to see Poco at York Uni in the UK when they were touring 'Indian Summer'. Forty years later, for our wedding anniversary, we came over to NYC in 2017 to see Rusty and the guys at the City Winery.
We got some tickets for the (rescheduled ) Poco/PPL concert in New Jersey, looking forward to not only the sound of Richie but the sight of his smiling face. He really didn't seem to have a bad bone in his body and he touched a lot of people with his whole being. A sad day indeed.

To the entire family of Mr. Young, please know that all of you are in our thoughts and prayers. So much admired the way he sang and wrote music from the heart. May God’s peace and love be with all of you.

My sincere condolences to Rusty’s family and friends. I’ve been a lover of Poco music forever. I was still a kid when my band got the open for them in Poughkeepsie, NY back in the 80s. What a thrill it was to meet these people I admired so much. Rusty was so kind to us and really took the time to get to know us a little and just hang out for a bit after the show. After that night I was an even bigger fan. I met him again about 30 years later at a show at the Bottom Line in NYC. I showed him a photo of my band with Poco from that show so long ago. He was amused and laughed saying ‘boy, we’ve changed just a bit, huh?’ Rusty’s music will continue to bring us joy and he will most certainly live on in our hearts.

Not sure where to start... or what and how to say how I feel. But it's raining in my heart today as I read the news of Rusty's passing on the 14th! Been a fan of Rusty's since '68 and before, when he played on Kind Woman with Springfield. A loss for sure, saw Poco first time in 1974, and a few times down in Steelville @ Wildwood Springs. Rusty sat at our table upstairs one night as Furay and his band played on stage. What a classy man, the world has become lesser with the loss. People like Rusty are a rarity.
RIP My Friend
Condolences to Mary Sarah & Will

Currently listening to Don Magee on Wfuv 90.7 New York. Rusty’s interview promoting Waiting for the Sun . So upbeat, great to listen to him speak about his music and Poco. So sad to never be able to see him again with the band. Feel like we lost a really great friend. We will miss him.