The Buffalo Springfield. Where it all began. This was the band that turned my head around. Iconic. Creative. Talented. I had never heard music quite like this before; the guitar work, the songwriting, and the harmonies. They had it all, and no wonder given the lineup: Neil Young, Stephen Stills, Richie Furay, and Jim Messina.
These guys went on to the most legendary bands of our time: Crosby Stills, Nash, and (sometimes) Young, Poco, Loggins and Messina, Souther Hillman Furay Band, Manassas. There would be no Eagles, if it wasn't for the Buffalo Springfield.
They had a huge hit, "For What It's Worth", early, on their first album, but it was the second album, Buffalo Springfield Again (pictured above), that broke the mold. This was MUSIC. The tour for this album was the first concert I ever saw. I was hooked. Classic songs like "Rock and Roll Woman", the still amazing guitar (and banjo) solos on "Bluebird", "Mr. Soul", "Kind Woman", and the timeless "On The Way Home" all left a permanent impression. The way they were able to weave acoustic and electric guitars into a tapestry and the vocal harmonies were pure genius. We all have those "ah-ha" moments in our lives, and the Buffalo Springfield's music was mine, from that point forward, music became my life.
I have continued to follow these guys throughout their various careers, and they have continued to enrich my life. They reunited for a brief tour a few years ago (picture below) proving they still had the magic, and brought back the memories along with the affirmation that my decision to pursue music was correct. God bless them.
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