Buffalo Springfield’s time was short, forming in 1966 and splitting in 1968, but their legacy was vast. Founded by Richie Furay, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young, the band’s influence extended beyond their two-year existence. Their iconic protest song, ‘For What It’s Worth,’ penned and sung by Stills, not only marked their Top Ten breakthrough but also became synonymous with the political unrest of the 1960s. Buffalo Springfield’s original sound, blending folk-rock, country-rock, psychedelia, soul, and hard rock, reshaped the late ’60s music scene.
The band’s roots trace back to Thunder Bay, Ontario, where Neil Young’s group, the Squires, opened for the Company, a satellite of the folk revue the Au Go-Go Singers featuring Stephen Stills. After moving to Los Angeles, Stills, along with Richie Furay, formed Buffalo Springfield with producer Barry Friedman. The band’s debut and subsequent album showcased their musical diversity but internal conflicts, legal issues, and member changes led to their disbandment in 1968, with each member pursuing successful solo or group careers in the following decades.