Ever wondered what happened to the members of Buffalo Springfield after their legendary two-year run? From 1966 to today, the story of Buffalo Springfield’s members reads like a classic rock odyssey filled with monumental success, creative tensions, and lasting musical legacies. Whether you’re curious about the original lineup, the member changes that shaped their sound, or where these classic rock artists ended up, this complete guide reveals the full story behind one of music’s most influential classic rock bands. The members of Buffalo Springfield went on to form some of the biggest names in rock history, making their brief collaboration one of the most consequential in popular music.
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The Original Members of Buffalo Springfield
The members of Buffalo Springfield came together through one of rock history’s most famous chance encounters. The original lineup consisted of five talented musicians: Stephen Stills (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Neil Young (guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals), Richie Furay (guitar, vocals), Bruce Palmer (bass guitar), and Dewey Martin (drums, vocals).
How Buffalo Springfield Came Together
Buffalo Springfield formed in Los Angeles in April 1966 following a fortuitous traffic jam encounter on Sunset Boulevard. Stephen Stills and Richie Furay, veterans of the Greenwich Village folk scene and former members of the Au Go Go Singers, were stuck in traffic when they spotted a distinctive black hearse with Canadian plates. Inside were Neil Young and Bruce Palmer, who had driven down from Toronto after their band The Mynah Birds disbanded when frontman Rick James was arrested for going AWOL from the U.S. Naval Reserves.
The four musicians pulled over and immediately recognized the potential for collaboration. Within days, they recruited drummer Dewey Martin, who had previously played with country rock pioneers The Dillards and worked as a session musician in Nashville with legends like Patsy Cline, Roy Orbison, and the Everly Brothers. The band took their name from a Buffalo Springfield Roller Company steamroller parked outside producer Barry Friedman’s house where Stills and Furay were staying.
Early Musical Background of Key Members
Each founding member brought unique musical experiences that shaped Buffalo Springfield’s distinctive sound. Stephen Stills had cut his teeth in the Greenwich Village folk scene and had unsuccessfully auditioned for The Monkees before forming Buffalo Springfield. Neil Young had led various Canadian bands including The Squires and The Mynah Birds, developing his distinctive guitar style and songwriting approach. Richie Furay’s folk background complemented his natural harmony vocals, while Bruce Palmer’s bass playing provided the rhythmic foundation that made the band’s music “move,” as Furay later described it. Dewey Martin’s Nashville experience gave the band its country-rock edge that would influence countless artists in the 1970s.
Buffalo Springfield Lineup Changes
Despite their brief two-year existence, the members of Buffalo Springfield experienced numerous lineup changes that significantly impacted their trajectory and sound evolution.
Bruce Palmer’s Deportations and Returns
Bruce Palmer’s ongoing legal troubles became a constant source of instability for Buffalo Springfield. Palmer was arrested multiple times for marijuana possession, and his first deportation occurred in January 1967 when he was detained in New York City during a club engagement. This forced the band to rely on rotating bassists including Jim Fielder and Ken Koblun while Palmer was banned from the United States.
Palmer managed to re-enter the U.S. illegally in May 1967, disguised as a businessman with his hair cut short and wearing a suit and tie. However, his continued arrests and deportations led to a permanent loss of trust within the band. Even after his return, Buffalo Springfield increasingly relied on session musicians for recording, limiting Palmer’s contributions to their later work.
New Blood: Jim Messina and Other Later Members
In January 1968, Palmer was officially replaced by Jim Messina, who brought production skills along with his bass playing abilities. Messina’s technical expertise helped complete their final album, Last Time Around, and his influence extended beyond just bass duties as he took on significant production responsibilities that shaped the band’s sound during their final phase.
The constant personnel changes, combined with rising tensions between Neil Young and Stephen Stills, ultimately led to Buffalo Springfield’s disbandment on May 5, 1968, after a final concert at the Long Beach Sports Arena.
Where Are the Members of Buffalo Springfield Today?
The surviving members of Buffalo Springfield have continued making music well into their golden years, with recent performances proving their enduring chemistry and talent.
Neil Young: Still Rocking at 79
Neil Young remains one of rock’s most active and influential artists at age 79. In 2024, he performed with Stephen Stills at the Harvest Moon benefit concert in Lake Hughes, California, demonstrating that their musical chemistry remains as powerful as ever. Young continues touring with his band Chrome Hearts and recently performed at major venues including the Hollywood Bowl.
Following Buffalo Springfield’s breakup, Young launched a legendary solo career and formed the supergroup Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. His solo albums like Harvest and After the Gold Rush established him as one of rock’s most important voices. Young’s influence on grunge music earned him the nickname “Godfather of Grunge,” and his 1995 collaboration with Pearl Jam on Mirror Ball proved his relevance across generations.
Stephen Stills: Recent Performances and Projects
Stephen Stills, now 80, has scaled back touring in recent years but continues making selective appearances. His January 2025 performance at the FireAid benefit concert in Los Angeles marked his first appearance with Graham Nash since 2016, suggesting possible renewed collaborations. At the benefit, Stills performed Buffalo Springfield’s classic “For What It’s Worth” alongside members of Dawes.
After Buffalo Springfield disbanded, Stills formed the supergroup Crosby, Stills & Nash, which became one of the most successful groups of the 1970s. His solo career produced hits like “Love the One You’re With,” and his album Stephen Stills featured collaborations with Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Ringo Starr. Stills was the first person to be inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on the same night – once for Buffalo Springfield and once for Crosby, Stills & Nash.
Richie Furay: From Rock Star to Pastor
Richie Furay took a dramatically different path from his Buffalo Springfield bandmates. After forming the country-rock band Poco and later the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band, Furay converted to Christianity and eventually became a full-time pastor at Calvary Chapel in Broomfield, Colorado, serving from 1983 until his retirement in 2017.
At age 80, Furay continues making music, releasing In The Country in 2024, an album of covers that demonstrates his voice remains strong and flexible. A documentary about his life, narrated by Cameron Crowe, was released in early 2025. Furay participated in Buffalo Springfield’s 2011 reunion tour and maintains an active social media presence, connecting with fans about his musical legacy.
Remembering the Departed Members
Sadly, two original members of Buffalo Springfield have passed away. Bruce Palmer died of a heart attack on October 1, 2004, at age 58. Despite his troubled relationship with U.S. immigration authorities, Palmer’s bass playing was fundamental to Buffalo Springfield’s sound. Dewey Martin died on February 1, 2009, at age 68, found in his Van Nuys apartment with the cause believed to be natural causes. Martin had attempted to keep the Buffalo Springfield name alive through various incarnations including Buffalo Springfield Revisited with Bruce Palmer in the mid-1980s.
Musical Legacy of Buffalo Springfield Members
The members of Buffalo Springfield created a musical legacy that far exceeded their brief two-year existence, influencing generations of musicians and establishing the template for country-rock music.
Songwriting Contributions by Each Member
Each member contributed uniquely to Buffalo Springfield’s songbook. Stephen Stills wrote their most famous song “For What It’s Worth,” a protest anthem that became synonymous with 1960s social upheaval. He also contributed “Bluebird,” “Rock & Roll Woman,” and “Sit Down, I Think I Love You.” Neil Young’s contributions included “Mr. Soul,” “Broken Arrow,” and “Nowadays Clancy Can’t Even Sing,” establishing his reputation as one of rock’s most distinctive songwriters.
Richie Furay penned several songs including “A Child’s Claim to Fame,” which he wrote about his frustrations with Neil Young’s frequent departures from the band. Of the 35 songs released during Buffalo Springfield’s existence, Furay sang lead or co-lead vocals on 15 tracks, second only to Stephen Stills with 16. Dewey Martin contributed vocals to “Good Time Boy” and provided the rhythmic foundation that Neil Young praised in his autobiography.
Post-Band Success Stories
The post-Buffalo Springfield careers of its members read like a who’s who of classic rock history. The formation of Crosby, Stills & Nash created one of the most successful supergroups ever, with their debut album achieving massive commercial and critical success. When Neil Young joined them intermittently as Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, they created albums like Déjà Vu that defined an entire generation’s musical experience.
Richie Furay’s formation of Poco with Jim Messina pioneered the country-rock sound that influenced the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, and countless other artists throughout the 1970s. Jim Messina’s later partnership with Kenny Loggins as Loggins & Messina produced numerous hit singles and albums. The ripple effects of Buffalo Springfield’s brief existence continue to influence modern artists, with their songs regularly covered and their approach to blending folk, country, and rock serving as a template for contemporary musicians.
Essential Buffalo Springfield Albums Featuring Different Lineups
Buffalo Springfield’s three studio albums showcase the evolution of their sound and the impact of changing lineups on their musical direction.
Buffalo Springfield (1966)
Featuring: Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer, Dewey Martin
This debut album established their folk-rock foundation and includes their breakout hit “For What It’s Worth,” though the song was added to later pressings after its initial success.
Buffalo Springfield Again (1967)
Featuring: Core lineup with rotating bassists due to Palmer’s legal troubles
Often considered their masterpiece, this album marked their progression toward psychedelia and hard rock, featuring classics like “Bluebird,” “Mr. Soul,” and “Expecting to Fly.”
Last Time Around (1968)
Featuring: Stephen Stills, Neil Young, Richie Furay, Jim Messina, Dewey Martin
Completed after the band’s dissolution, this album showcased Jim Messina’s production skills and included some of their most mature songwriting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Buffalo Springfield Members
Who were the original members of Buffalo Springfield?
The original members of Buffalo Springfield were Stephen Stills (guitar, keyboards, vocals), Neil Young (guitar, harmonica, piano, vocals), Richie Furay (guitar, vocals), Bruce Palmer (bass guitar), and Dewey Martin (drums, vocals).
Are any members of Buffalo Springfield still alive?
Yes, three of the five original members are still alive: Neil Young (79), Stephen Stills (80), and Richie Furay (80). Bruce Palmer died in 2004, and Dewey Martin died in 2009.
What are the members of Buffalo Springfield doing now?
Neil Young continues touring and recording, recently performing at major venues. Stephen Stills makes selective appearances, including the 2025 FireAid benefit concert. Richie Furay retired from pastoral work in 2017 and released a new album in 2024.
Why did Bruce Palmer leave Buffalo Springfield?
Bruce Palmer didn’t voluntarily leave – he was repeatedly arrested for drug possession and deported from the United States multiple times. His legal troubles and inability to maintain steady residency in the U.S. made his continued participation impossible.
How many members did Buffalo Springfield have throughout their existence?
Buffalo Springfield had five core members, with Jim Messina joining as an official replacement for Bruce Palmer in 1968. Several other musicians filled in temporarily, including Jim Fielder and Ken Koblun on bass during Palmer’s deportations.
Want to dive deeper into Buffalo Springfield’s music? Explore this complete discography guide and discover the albums that made these classic rock legends immortal.
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Sources:
Buffalo Springfield – Wikipedia
Buffalo Springfield – Encyclopedia Britannica
Buffalo Springfield – Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Neil Young – Wikipedia
Stephen Stills – Wikipedia
Last updated: September 21, 2025
