Buffalo Springfield lasted just two years as a band, yet their impact on rock music is undeniable. They helped define the 1960s California sound by blending folk, country, psychedelic rock, and political commentary into a distinctive musical style. More than just a launching pad for future stars like Neil Young and Stephen Stills, the band created music that resonated far beyond their brief lifespan.
With just three studio albums, Buffalo Springfield became a blueprint for what thoughtful, genre-blending rock could be.
| Band Name | Buffalo Springfield |
|---|---|
| Formed | 1966 |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Folk Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Country Rock |
| Labels | Atco Records (a division of Atlantic) |
| Classic Members | Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin, Jim Messina, Doug Hastings |
| Years Active | 1966–1968, 2010–2012 (reunion) |
| Top Songs | “For What It’s Worth,” “Mr. Soul,” “Bluebird,” “Rock & Roll Woman,” “On the Way Home” |
| Awards | Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1997) |
Formation and Fast Beginnings
Buffalo Springfield came together in a twist of fate on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, former bandmates from New York, spotted a black hearse they recognized. It belonged to Neil Young, who was driving with bassist Bruce Palmer. Stills and Young had once met in Canada and had long talked about forming a band. Now, their paths had crossed again in the most unexpected way.
Within days, the four musicians—Stills, Young, Furay, and Palmer—recruited drummer Dewey Martin, completing the lineup. They named the band Buffalo Springfield, inspired by the name of a steamroller company they saw on a parked truck.
Early Gigs and Record Deal
Buffalo Springfield quickly began performing around Los Angeles, opening for acts like The Dillards and The Byrds. Their unique sound—combining folk harmonies, political lyrics, and rock instrumentation—caught the attention of record executives.
They signed with Atco Records, a subsidiary of Atlantic, and released their debut single “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing” in 1966. Written by Young and sung by Furay, the song received local airplay but failed to make a national impact.
Breakthrough with “For What It’s Worth”
Everything changed in 1967 when the band released “For What It’s Worth.” Written by Stills in response to the Sunset Strip curfew riots in Los Angeles, the song tapped into the countercultural unrest of the time.
It became a Top 10 hit, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. With its haunting guitar riff and urgent lyrics (“There’s something happening here…”), it became one of the most iconic protest songs of the era. The song was later added to reissues of their debut album Buffalo Springfield.
Creative Growth and Internal Struggles
In 1967, Buffalo Springfield began working on their second album, Buffalo Springfield Again. The album featured standout tracks like:
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“Mr. Soul” (Neil Young)
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“Bluebird” (Stephen Stills)
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“Expecting to Fly” (Neil Young)
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“Rock & Roll Woman” (Stills and David Crosby)
The album received strong reviews and highlighted the contrasting songwriting styles of Young and Stills. But tensions within the band were growing. Bruce Palmer was arrested on drug charges and deported to Canada—not once, but twice. During his absence, several bassists stepped in, including Jim Fielder and later Jim Messina, who became a full-time member.
Neil Young, known for his perfectionism and mercurial personality, began to drift from the band. He skipped performances and recording sessions, frustrating the other members. Meanwhile, Stills tried to hold the group together creatively, but the cracks were widening.
Final Album: Last Time Around
By 1968, Buffalo Springfield was unraveling. Their final album, Last Time Around, was released posthumously to fulfill their contract. It featured songs recorded separately by various members:
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“On the Way Home” (Young)
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“Kind Woman” (Furay)
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“I Am a Child” (Young)
The album felt more like a compilation of solo efforts than a unified band project. Though critically appreciated, it confirmed what was already obvious—Buffalo Springfield was no more.
Post-Breakup Careers
Despite its short run, Buffalo Springfield launched several influential careers:
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Neil Young quickly established himself as a solo artist and later joined Crosby, Stills & Nash as an occasional fourth member.
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Stephen Stills also joined CSN, releasing solo records and working on multiple side projects.
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Richie Furay co-founded the pioneering country-rock band Poco and later enjoyed a solo career.
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Jim Messina formed Loggins & Messina, one of the top-selling acts of the 1970s.
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Dewey Martin tried to continue using the Buffalo Springfield name but did not reach the same level of success.
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Bruce Palmer, after his deportation, played on some solo projects but remained mostly out of the spotlight.
Reunion and Hall of Fame Recognition
Buffalo Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, with Young, Stills, and Furay attending the ceremony. Martin and Palmer were also honored, though Palmer had already retreated from the music industry and passed away in 2004. Martin died in 2009.
In 2010, the three surviving original members—Young, Stills, and Furay—reunited for the Bridge School Benefit, an annual charity concert organized by Young. This led to a short tour in 2011, where they were joined by bassist Rick Rosas and drummer Joe Vitale.
Despite hopes for a full-scale reunion tour, the band went on indefinite hiatus in 2012.
Legacy and Influence
Buffalo Springfield’s influence stretches far beyond their chart history. Their fusion of folk, rock, and country helped set the stage for the emergence of country rock and singer-songwriter movements of the 1970s. Bands like Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Poco, and Wilco owe a creative debt to them.
“For What It’s Worth” remains a cultural touchstone, often used in film, TV, and documentaries to evoke the 1960s era of protest and change. It has been covered by numerous artists and sampled in multiple genres.
Even their non-hits—such as “Bluebird,” “Expecting to Fly,” and “Broken Arrow”—continue to be praised for their innovation and lyrical depth.
Conclusion
Buffalo Springfield burned bright and fast. In just two years, they created a body of work that continues to resonate with listeners. Their songs captured a turbulent time in American culture, while also pushing musical boundaries. With their blend of introspective lyrics, experimental sounds, and raw talent, Buffalo Springfield’s legacy is far greater than their brief history might suggest.
Their music lives on, not just in retrospectives and playlists, but in the DNA of modern rock and folk music.