Friday Music

The early 1970s was a golden time for country rock mostly as a consequence of the popularity of the Eagles, Poco and Pure Prairie League.   With roots going back to the mid-1960s this band was officially launched in 1970 with Craig Fuller (vocals and guitar), Tom McGrail (drums), Jim Caughlan (guitar and drums) and John David Call (steel guitar). 

The name comes from a fictional 19th century temperance union featured in the 1939 Errol Flynn cowboy film Dodge City.   The first album featured the image of a trail-worn cowboy lifted from a Norman Rockwell Saturday Evening Post cover.  That cowboy would appear upon every subsequent Pure Prairie League album.  

Pure Prairie League scored five consecutive Top 40 LPs in the 1970s and added a sixth in the 1980s. Experiencing numerous break-ups, reunions and deaths the band continues to tour.   

Amie was released in 1973 as the band’s debut single to little effect.   RCA records released Amie as a single for the second time in late 1974 where it peaked at 27 on the Top 100 Chart at the end of April, 1975.  Whew!  

This live cover was recorded a year ago by Foxes and Fossils and is one of the best I’ve had the pleasure of listening-to.  Enjoy…..