• 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:

Le FreakChic

The guys from Chic wrote "Le Freak" as a message to a doorman who wouldn't let them into a club. Originally, it was "F--- Off."

Killing In The NameRage Against the Machine

Tired of X-Factor winners getting the UK Christmas #1, British Facebook users staged a successful campaign to download "Killing In The Name" by Rage Against The Machine enough times to boost the song to the top in 2009, blocking the X-Factor single by Joe McElderry.

The Candy ManSammy Davis, Jr.

"The Candy Man" is the opening song in the 1971 movie Willie Wonka And The Chocolate Factory, but the version released as a single was by Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. It was a #1 hit and became his signature song even though his audience was very adult.

I Gotta FeelingThe Black Eyed Peas

Will.I.am, literally dreamt up "I Gotta Feelin'." Said the Black Eyed Pea: "Have you ever had a dream where there's a melody in your dream? I'll wake up out of my sleep and record that! 'I Gotta Feelin' was one of those songs."

Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)Doris Day

"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" was written for Doris Day to sing in the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much.

Bad GirlsDonna Summer

Donna Summer's "Bad Girls" is about prostitutes, but it was still used in the movie Rugrats In Paris.

Editor's Picks

Steven Tyler of AerosmithSongwriter Interviews

Tyler talks about his true love: songwriting. How he identifies the beauty in a melody and turns sorrow into art.

Roger McGuinn of The ByrdsSongwriter Interviews

Roger reveals the songwriting formula Clive Davis told him, and if "Eight Miles High" is really about drugs.

Sarah BrightmanSongwriter Interviews

One of the most popular classical vocalists in the land is lining up a trip to space, which is the inspiration for many of her songs.

Jesus In Pop Hits: The Gospel Songs That Went MainstreamSong Writing

These overtly religious songs crossed over to the pop charts, despite resistance from fans, and in many cases, churches.

Corey HartSongwriter Interviews

The Canadian superstar talks about his sudden rise to fame, and tells the stories behind his hits "Sunglasses At Night," "Boy In The Box" and "Never Surrender."

Graham Bonnet (Alcatrazz, Rainbow)Songwriter Interviews

Yngwie Malmsteen and Steve Vai were two of Graham's co-writers for some '80s rock classics.