Jim Messina Reflects on Storied Rock Career Spanning Decades

From Buffalo Springfield to Poco to Loggins & Messina, the singer-songwriter has seen it all in the music industry.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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At 78 years old, Jim Messina has had an impressive and varied career in the music industry, with stints in the bands Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Loggins & Messina, as well as a successful solo career. Despite never intending to become a rock star, Messina has been actively touring and creating new music for nearly 60 years, showcasing his versatility as a musician, songwriter, and producer.

Why it matters

Messina's career trajectory is a testament to the enduring power of music and the ability of talented artists to reinvent themselves over the course of decades. His story provides insight into the evolution of the music industry, from the rise of country-rock to the challenges of navigating the changing landscape of the business.

The details

Messina's musical journey began in his teenage years, when he played in a surf music band called His Jesters. Though he initially saw himself as more of a studio engineer and producer than a performer, his involvement with Buffalo Springfield led to him joining the band as a bassist. After the group's acrimonious breakup, Messina co-founded the country-rock group Poco with Richie Furay. Messina then went on to collaborate with Kenny Loggins, forming the successful duo Loggins & Messina, before embarking on a solo career in 1976.

  • Messina's band His Jesters released songs and an album, 'The Dragsters', in the mid-1960s.
  • Messina joined Buffalo Springfield in 1967 to produce the track 'Hung Upside Down' and later took over as the band's bassist.
  • Messina and Richie Furay formed the band Poco after the breakup of Buffalo Springfield in 1968.
  • Messina and Kenny Loggins began their collaboration in 1970, releasing several platinum-selling albums together before going their separate ways in 1976.
  • Messina launched his solo career in late 1976.

The players

Jim Messina

A singer, songwriter, musician, and producer who has been actively involved in the music industry for nearly 60 years, with stints in bands like Buffalo Springfield, Poco, and Loggins & Messina, as well as a successful solo career.

Kenny Loggins

A singer-songwriter who collaborated with Messina in the 1970s, forming the successful duo Loggins & Messina.

Richie Furay

A musician who co-founded the country-rock band Poco with Messina after the breakup of Buffalo Springfield.

Stephen Stills

A member of the band Buffalo Springfield, for which Messina produced the track 'Hung Upside Down'.

Bruce Palmer

The bassist for Buffalo Springfield, who was arrested for drug possession and deported to Canada, leading Messina to take over the role.

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What they’re saying

“I never started out to be what some people thing I am, which is a rock 'n' roll start.”

— Jim Messina (cleveland.com)

“Producing the band... that's what I really wanted to do in life. They didn't even know I was a musician. I never told them I played guitar; I didn't think it was appropriate, 'cause I was to work with them as a producer and engineer, not sell myself as a player.”

— Jim Messina (cleveland.com)

“Country-rock was really an influence I'd gotten from working with rockabilly musicians in 1965, '66 -- Roger Miller, Dorsey Burnette, James Burton, Jerry Allison from the Crickets. It was music I was very comfortable with, and I wanted to go back to playing my guitar and being on the circuit.”

— Jim Messina (cleveland.com)

“The evolution of Springfield and Poco and eventually into Loggins & Messina I just feel is a continuum of what I'd been involved in as a musician, as a producer, as an engineer.”

— Jim Messina (cleveland.com)

“I just want to finally accomplish having a successful solo career -- and success has many different forms. I think I`m better than I've ever been, I think the band is great, so at this point just having people enjoy the music is fine for me.”

— Jim Messina (cleveland.com)

What’s next

Messina plans to release some singles before a full album later this year, though he acknowledged that 'there's just no delivery system at this point in my life for people to (buy) the music.'

The takeaway

Messina's story is a testament to the enduring power of music and the ability of talented artists to reinvent themselves over the course of decades. Despite never intending to become a rock star, he has left an indelible mark on the industry, showcasing his versatility as a musician, songwriter, and producer.