Poncho’s guitar held our songs together for 40 years in Crazy Horse. Co-writer of Rockin in the Free World, it was Poncho who came up with the expression. We were on the bus having left Seattle, talking about something that had happened and Poncho said “Keep on Rockin in the Free World”. The expression stuck with me and I wrote the song around it, words and music came fast and we did the song for the first time in Spokane Washington, the next night.
He also came up with the tag line in Lotta Love, and the line’s melody - ”it takes a lotta love”
I think he is responsible for the chant in Fuckin’ Up - “Why do I?”

Poncho is a super strong guitar player. Big Power Chords! He uses heavy gauge strings and gets a big thick ballsy sound. He is very expressive, emotional and always engaged and sympathetic to the words and music. When he sang, you knew it, with his powerful and great voice the loudest in the band.

One of a kind, Poncho’s boisterous personality was a great part of the Horse from 1975 ‘ZUMA’ ’til ‘Psychedelic Pill’ and ALCHEMY and all the Crazy Horse albums between. His strength is hard to describe; the horse loved it and he was a heart of the band. Fully engaged, emotional and always committed, Poncho will be lovingly, happily, remembered and appreciated for the heart felt music he helped us to make.

Poncho was in the Horse for about 40 years, before deciding to sit out touring and stay in Hawaii with his wife and enjoy that Peace the Islands have to offer.

Thanks Poncho! We will always love you, your spirit and your amazing musical energy.