Buffalo Springfield

Biography

Buffalo Springfield was a Canadian-American rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1966. The original lineup consisted of Stephen Stills (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Neil Young (guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals), Richie Furay (guitar, vocals), Bruce Palmer (bass guitar), and Dewey Martin (drums, vocals). The band's name was taken from the side of a steamroller made by the Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company that was parked outside the house where Stills and Furay were staying.

Formation and Breakthrough

The group's formation was the result of a chance meeting in a Los Angeles traffic jam between Stills and Furay, who had played together previously, and Young and Palmer, who were in a different band. They soon added drummer Dewey Martin and debuted at The Troubadour in West Hollywood in April 1966. The band's music combined elements of folk, country, psychedelia, and rock, which was instrumental in the development of the folk-rock genre. They signed with Atlantic Records and released their debut single, "Nowadays Clancy Can't Even Sing," which found regional success. Their breakthrough came with the Stephen Stills-penned protest song "For What It's Worth" in early 1967. The song became a Top 10 hit in the United States and a counterculture anthem.

Studio Albums and Style

Buffalo Springfield released three studio albums during their brief time together.

Buffalo Springfield (1966)

Their debut album, initially released in late 1966, was re-released shortly after with the inclusion of "For What It's Worth" to capitalize on the single's success. The album showcased their blend of folk-rock and country influences.

Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)

Considered by many to be their finest work, this album demonstrated the band's growth, incorporating more complex arrangements and psychedelic textures. It featured songs from Stills, Young, and Furay, highlighting their individual songwriting talents and included tracks like "Mr. Soul" and "Bluebird".

Last Time Around (1968)

This was the band's final studio album, released after they had already disbanded. It was compiled by Richie Furay and producer Jim Messina from the members' final recordings and included songs like "I Am a Child" and "Kind Woman".

Disbandment and Legacy

Internal conflicts, lineup changes, and drug-related arrests plagued the band throughout its existence. Bassist Bruce Palmer was deported to Canada, and Jim Messina was brought in as his replacement. The group officially broke up in May 1968 after a final concert. Despite their short career, Buffalo Springfield's influence was significant, paving the way for the success of its members in other highly successful groups. Stephen Stills formed Crosby, Stills & Nash (with Neil Young joining later), while Richie Furay and Jim Messina founded the country-rock band Poco. Neil Young also launched a successful and prolific solo career. The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. The original members briefly reunited in 2010 and 2011 for a series of concerts.