• 1966-1968

  Neil YoungGuitar, vocals

  Stephen StillsVocals, guitar

  Richie FurayVocals, guitar

  Dewey MartinVocals, drums

  Bruce PalmerBass1966-1967

  Jim FielderBass1967

  Doug HastingsGuitar1967

  Ken KoblunBass1967

  Jim MessinaBass1967-1968
• Before forming this band, Furay and Stills had played together in the Au Go Go Singers. Palmer and Young had played together in the Mynah Birds. That band featured Rick James (of "Super Freak" fame) on lead vocals and was signed to Motown.
• They got their name from a steamroller doing local road repairs.
• They were originally named The Herd (also the name of Peter Frampton's first group).
• For a short time, they were the house band at the Whiskey-a-Go-Go.
• In 1967, Palmer was deported to Canada after a drug bust.
• Young quit in May 1967, only to rejoin in September.
• Martin went on to a solo career, as did Young. Young and Stills also got together in Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Fielder joined Blood, Sweat & Tears. Messina and Furay formed Poco, and Messina later would partner with Kenny Loggins to form Loggins and Messina.
• When Young, Stills, and Furay met in a Los Angeles traffic jam in the early 1990's, they decided to regroup for a short time.
• Drummer Dewey Martin died of natural causes at age 68 on February 1, 2009. Before joining Buffalo Springfield, he was in the Five Man Electrical Band and The Standells. Neil Young wrote of him in his autobiography: "You get harder, he hits harder. You pull back, he hits back. He can feel the music - you don't have to tell him." >>

  Suggestion credit:
  Bertrand - Paris, France

Comments: 8

• Sooner from OklahomaThis was absolutely one of the most overlooked bands of all time along with The Yardbirds. Two bands with a complete lineup of fantastic musicians and perfect songs. The songs never get old.
• Brose from Oklahoma City, Okdo you remember the first time the music hit you and everytime after that it put a smile on your face?
• Anonymous from Anonymous, NjThis band was really influential even to 80s and 90s rock. Ozzy Osbourne counted them as one of his biggest influences and even covered For What Its Worth. In turn, man bands of the 80s and 90s were influenced by hime. Awesome band overall. Stephen stills was a really incredible songwriter my favorite being "Seen Enough" whcih he recorded with Crosby,Stills, & Nash.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScI just have to say "Dudh." I should have known it was called "Bluebird". Btw, I wonder why that song isn't listed on the songfacts website. They've also left out "Mr. soul", and "Rock 'n' Roll Woman". Those are both great songs.
• Stefanie Magura from Rock Hill, ScWhat a talented group! havent heard many of their songs but I like the one about the blue bird. do y'all know wich one i'm talking about? Also stephen stills is undoubtedly one of the best vocalists in rock!
• Chuck from Peoria, Ilrichie went on to form poco (originally pogo) with messina rusty young george grantham and randy meisner (eagles)- he became a believer in Jesus 'round the time he was doing "souther furay hillman" with jd souther chris hillman al perkins and jim gordon - he is now pastor of a calvary chapel church in boulder colorado
• Nickc from Ft. Wayne, InNo question but that is one of the most talented groups of the 1960's without the fame to go with it. A lot of folks know, "For What It's Worth," and maybe, "Mr. Soul," but their range was tremendous. From the simplistic, self-amused harmony piece, "Sit Down, I think I love you," to the vocal masterpiece, "Kind Woman," to the complex productions of, "Broken Arrow" the band in all its configurations was consistnetly out-standing with any type of rock 'n' roll material.
• Herman from Chicago, IlONE OF THE BEST 60'S GROUPS EVER. THERE WAS A LOT OF TALENT THERE.

More Songfacts:

HelloAdele

Adele isn't a ghost when she sings, "Hello from the other side" - it means the "other side of becoming an adult."

ParanoidBlack Sabbath

"Paranoid" reflects a feeling Black Sabbath bass player Geezer Butler often felt after using drugs.

...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears

"Baby One More Time," the breakout song for Britney Spears, was originally offered to TLC but they passed on it. The R&B trio didn't feel comfortable singing the line, "hit me baby one more time."

Justify My LoveMadonna

Madonna's "Justify My Love" was co-written by Lenny Kravitz.

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and UnderstandingElvis Costello

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was written by Nick Lowe in 1974. The original version with his group Brinsley Schwarz was kind of somber, but Elvis Costello made it a classic with his 1978 uptempo take.

Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'Michael Jackson

"Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'" was Michael Jaskson's attack on the tabloid press: "They eat off of you, you're a vegetable."

Editor's Picks

WeezerFact or Fiction

Did Rivers Cuomo grow up on a commune? Why did they name their albums after colors? See how well you know your Weezer in this Fact or Fiction.

90s Music Quiz 1Music Quiz

First question: Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson appeared in videos for what artist?

Kristian Bush of SugarlandSongwriter Interviews

Kristian talks songwriting technique, like how the chorus should redefine the story, and how to write a song backwards.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Jimmy WebbSongwriter Interviews

Webb talks about his classic songs "By the Time I Get to Phoenix," "Wichita Lineman" and "MacArthur Park."

Ron and Russell Mael of SparksSongwriter Interviews

The men of Sparks on their album Hippopotamus, and how Morrissey handled it when they suggested he lighten up.