Buffalo Springfield

Buffalo Springfield was a short-lived yet highly original and influential country-rock group that served as a springboard for the careers of Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay and Jim Messina. After its formation in 1966, the group landed its breakout song in For What It's Worth, written by Stills, and performed during its bright chart life at the Monterey Pop Festival, at the inception of the legendary Summer of Love in 1967. It was a pioneering activist song, which featured the phrase," Stop! Hey! What's that sound?" A series of disruptions, including internal bickering, as well as the pressure of working in the music business resulted in constant changes in the group's lineup, and ultimately culminated in the group disbanding in 1968 after roughly 25 months. Buffalo Springfield released a total of only three albums but also left a legacy that includes numerous demo recordings, studio outtakes, and live recordings. Along with the Byrds, they were the pioneer folk/ country rock band. The reasons for the short life of the group were also its strengths; 3 strong songwriters; 3 strong singers, 3 fine guitarists, and 3 potential bandleaders; perhaps what is surprising is that they lasted so long, that the sound they produced evolved so far, yet was so coherent and distinctive, and is to this day. Stills and Young would go on to perform with David Crosby and Graham Nash in the hugely popular rock act Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young shortly after Buffalo Springfield's demise. Furay with Messina meanwhile went on to found country-rock group Poco, before embarking on his own solo career. Jim Messina contributed to the final album "Last Time Around" and after his time with Poco went to team up with Kenny Loggins.