So, who were Buffalo Springfield, and why are they remembered even today? Buffalo Springfield was one of those rare bands that burned brightly and briefly, yet left an undeniable mark on the history of rock music.
Known for fusing folk, rock, country, and psychedelia with politically charged lyrics and rich harmonies, they helped shape the sound and spirit of late ’60s American rock.
Though they only lasted two years, the band’s influence stretched far beyond their lifespan, with members like Stephen Stills, Neil Young, and Richie Furay going on to become giants in music.
Consolidated in 1966 in Los Angeles, Buffalo Springfield consisted of Canadian-born Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin, and American-born Stephen Stills and Richie Furay.
Neil Young was born November 12, 1945, in Toronto, Ontario; Bruce Palmer on September 9, 1946, in Liverpool, Nova Scotia; Dewey Martin on September 30, 1940, in Chesterville, Ontario.
The American contingent consisted of Stills, born January 3, 1945, in Dallas, Texas, and Furay, born May 9, 1944, in Yellow Springs, Ohio. The majority of the members hailed from musical or laboring families.
Neil Young’s father was an eminent sportswriter; Stills was a military kid and traversed the United States, being stationed in Central America. Furay had done theology before turning professional in music.
Their roads intersected through the folk and the rocker routes, and a storied encounter occurred unintentionally in April of 1966 on Sunset Boulevard when Stills and Furay saw Neil Young’s Pontiac hearse.
The meeting inspired the beginning of Buffalo Springfield. The group made waves fast, particularly after they settled in for a Whisky a Go Go residency in Hollywood. They put out their first record the same year and hit pay dirt in 1967 with the protest song “For What It’s Worth,” Stills’s composition.
The song itself would solidify their spots in rock lore. However, the band was plagued by internal tensions, frequent lineup changes, and legal troubles—especially with bassist Bruce Palmer being deported twice. Neil Young often disappeared from sessions and shows, making the band’s live setup unreliable.
Still, they pushed forward and released two more albums, Buffalo Springfield Again and Last Time Around, both of which showed increasingly sophisticated songwriting and arrangement.
The group disbanded in official terms in May 1968. Stills would go on to develop the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash (later adding Young); Furay and Jim Messina would constitute the highly influential country-rock group Poco; and Young would go on to have perhaps the most diverse and critically successful solo career in the history of rock
. Although the original group briefly performed together in 2010–2011, fatalities of primary members such as Dewey Martin and Bruce Palmer prohibited a complete comeback.
Despite the short career, Buffalo Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997, a testament to their music and influence that will endure.
Contents
Buffalo Springfield Top Songs
For What It’s Worth
Their breakout record and signature tune, this 1967 protest song captured the queasy zeitgeist of the counterculture. With marching beat, eerie guitar, and cryptic rebuke—”Stop, hey, what’s that sound?”—it became an immortal song of social transformation.
Bluebird
A stellar fusion of acoustic folk and electric rock, “Bluebird” included Stills’ guitar work and time signature changes. It’s one of their most compositionally experimental songs.
Mr. Soul
Written and sung by Neil Young, the song delves into stardom and selfhood in sardonic lyrics and a psychedelic-fuzz tone riff inspired by the Rolling Stones.
Rock & Roll Woman
Rock & Roll Woman With multi-layer harmonies and psychedelic touches, this Stills composition reflects the experimental tone Buffalo Springfield was taking in their second record.
Expecting to Fly
A Neil Young ballad with orchestral accompaniment, the song previewed the rich, reflective approach that would characterize most of his solo output.
On the Way Home
Released following the split, the song introduces the Last Time Around album and is their most melodic and pop-sounding piece, sung by Furay but written by Young.
Buffalo Springfield Discography
Studio Albums
- Buffalo Springfield (1966) – Their debut album, later reissued with “For What It’s Worth” replacing an earlier track.
- Buffalo Springfield Again (1967) – Showcased their shift toward psychedelia and more experimental rock.
- Last Time Around (1968) – Released after their breakup, it features a mix of solo-leaning contributions from members.
Compilation Albums
- Retrospective: The Best of Buffalo Springfield (1969) – A widely loved collection of their standout tracks.
- Buffalo Springfield (1973) – Another career retrospective.
- Buffalo Springfield Box Set (2001) – A four-disc set with rare tracks and alternate versions.
- What’s That Sound? Complete Albums Collection (2018) – All three studio albums in remastered form.
Notable Singles
- “For What It’s Worth” (US #7)
- “Bluebird” (US #58)
- “Rock & Roll Woman” (US #44)
- “Expecting to Fly” (US #98)
- “On the Way Home” (US #82)
Buffalo Springfield Top Albums
Buffalo Springfield (1966
Although small in sales initially, the first album is a folk-rock classic. The updated version including “For What It’s Worth” made it a classic.
Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)
Their most experimental and celebrated record. With highlights such as “Bluebird” and “Mr. Soul,” it reached a creative peak.
Last Time Around (1968)
A posthumous patchwork album with beautiful moments like “Kind Woman” and “On the Way Home.” It hinted at the individual directions each member would take.
Buffalo Springfield Awards
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction (1997) – Inducted in recognition of their contributions to folk rock and the ’60s counterculture sound.
- RIAA Platinum Certification – “For What It’s Worth” and their greatest-hits compilation Retrospective both won major sales recognition.
- BPI Platinum – “For What It’s Worth” also received UK recognition generations later.
Buffalo Springfield Singles
| Year | Title | US | CAN | NZ | Album |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing b/w “Go and Say Goodbye” | 110A | 75 | — | Buffalo Springfield |
| 1966 | Burned b/w “Everybody’s Wrong” | — | — | — | Buffalo Springfield |
| 1967 | For What It’s WorthB b/w “Do I Have to Come Right Out and Say It” | 7 | 5 | 19 | Buffalo Springfield |
| 1967 | Bluebird b/w “Mr. Soul” | 58 | 38 | — | Buffalo Springfield Again |
| 1967 | Rock ‘n’ Roll Woman b/w “A Child’s Claim to Fame” | 44 | 37 | — | Buffalo Springfield Again |
| 1967 | Expecting to Fly b/w “Everydays” | 98 | 41 | — | Buffalo Springfield Again |
| 1968 | Uno Mundo b/w “Merry-Go-Round” | 105A | — | — | Last Time Around |
| 1968 | Special Care b/w “Kind Woman” | 107A | — | — | Last Time Around |
| 1968 | On the Way Home b/w “Four Days Gone” | 82 | 86 | — | Last Time Around |