Buffalo Springfield

Buffalo Springfield
KRLA Beat/Beat Publications, Inc. · Public domain · source
Name	Buffalo Springfield
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre	Folk rock, country rock, psychedelic rock
Years active	1966–1968, 2010–2012
Label	Atco, Atlantic Records
Associated acts	The Byrds, Poco, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, The Stills-Young Band, Manassas
Past members	Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin, Jim Messina, Ken Koblun

Buffalo Springfield was an influential American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1966. Though short-lived, the group is celebrated as a pioneering force in the development of folk rock and country rock, and as a crucial incubator for several major figures in rock music. The band is best known for the politically charged 1967 hit "For What It's Worth."

History

The band was formed in April 1966 after Canadian musicians Stephen Stills and Neil Young reunited in Los Angeles, joining forces with fellow guitarist and vocalist Richie Furay and bassist Bruce Palmer. The lineup was rounded out by drummer Dewey Martin, and the group took its name from a steamroller manufactured by the Buffalo-Springfield Roller Company. They quickly became a popular live act on the Sunset Strip, securing a residency at the famed Whisky a Go Go. Their rise was propelled by the national success of "For What It's Worth," a Stills-penned song inspired by clashes between youth and police on the Sunset Strip. Internal tensions, particularly between the strong-willed Stills and Young, and personnel issues—including Palmer's repeated deportations for immigration violations—led to a chaotic period with multiple lineup changes. After releasing three albums, the group disbanded in May 1968. A brief reunion occurred in 2010 for a performance at The Bridge School Benefit concerts.

Musical style and legacy

Buffalo Springfield's music was a foundational blend of folk, rock, and country influences, characterized by intricate vocal harmonies and dual lead guitar work. Their sound presaged the country rock movement that would be fully realized by later groups like The Byrds and Poco. The band's legacy is immense, primarily as the launching pad for the careers of Stills, Young, and Furay, who would go on to form or join seminal acts like Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Poco, and The Stills-Young Band. Their influence is heard in the work of countless singer-songwriters and roots rock artists, and their recordings are considered essential documents of the 1960s counterculture.

Members

The classic and most prolific lineup consisted of: * Stephen Stills – guitar, keyboards, vocals * Neil Young – guitar, harmonica, vocals * Richie Furay – guitar, vocals * Bruce Palmer – bass * Dewey Martin – drums, vocals Other significant members included bassist Ken Koblun and, later, guitarist and bassist Jim Messina, who also served as a recording engineer. The frequent lineup instability was a defining characteristic of the band's brief career.

Discography

The band's official studio albums are: * Buffalo Springfield (1966) * Buffalo Springfield Again (1967) * Last Time Around (1968) Several compilations have been released, most notably the 1973 double-album Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield and the 2001 box set Buffalo Springfield, which comprehensively documented their sessions. Key singles include "For What It's Worth", "Mr. Soul", "Rock & Roll Woman", and "Bluebird".

Awards and recognition

Buffalo Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997. Their song "For What It's Worth" is listed on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" and is preserved in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." The band consistently appears on critics' lists of the most important and influential groups of the 1960s.

Category:American folk rock groups Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees