Very good band,,,,had not seen this thread before, I have the first 7 lps with the live one.
Hard to believe no one has mentioned Illinois Speed Press where Paul Cotton was from before Poco....1968-1970 (Chicago area at first then went to LA) .
I liked them better than Poco as far as being heavier with bluesrock married to country but I'm not dissing Poco since they came from slightly different angles. I even liked them better than Eagles. Cotton and David a had a twin guitar attack going in the band with excellent songwriting. Sadly only two lps....but both are a must have imho.
Eagles first lp was 1972....and I read that Speed Press and other bands played at The Troubador in LA and that Henley and Frey watched them many times there. Some of Eagles music reminds me of Speed Press and I feel they 'borrowed' ideas from them. Sadly Speed Press never caught a break and broke up but are still 2 of my favorite lps.
Here are a few tracks from them....Bad Weather is Speed Press version and Cotton did it with Poco on From The Inside.
FRom the first
Illinois Speed Press - Free Ride
Illinois Speed Press - P.N.S.
From the second
Illinois Speed Press - Morning Blues
Illinois Speed Press - Bad Weather