Greetings from Northern California...
Buffalo Springfield is touring a few cities to sold out crowds. They have not taken the stage together since 1967!
Last night (Thursday, June 2, 2011) I attended the second of two shows at the incredible and renovated FOX Theater in Oakland, California. Incredible venue.
Outside the FOX - pre-show - the excitement was nearly uncontainable... After a great dinner with my 23 year old daughter and my girl friend at a nearby restaurant - we struggled to park - finally lucking out by chance. A local sign shop owner simply saw our frustration driving by his building and invited us to park safely, close, and free in his private lock! No amount of money would suit him....just have a great time he required.
The extremely talented Gillian Welch opened the show - along with her amazing musical partner: David Rawlings. The mostly Buffalo anxious crowd DID NOT want them to leave the stage. The encore was thundering... On to Buffalo -
With a minimal stage setup - small vintage Fender Amps, a battered upright piano, a simple set of drums - and a Fender Bass amp - the lights dimmed - the audience roared - and out walked the 3 original members of the frontline of Buffalo Springfield - accompanied by Joe Vitale on drums and (?) on Bass.
Positioned from left to right were: Stephen Stills - Richie Furay - and Neil Young.
First song: On The Way Home - Richie - Lead Voc. INCREDIBLE.....
I could go on and on with superlatives and descriptions of audience response to all songs - but the bottom line here is that it was a very very special concert - and all knew it !
Time has done little affect the talents of Richie and Neil. Stephen, although still great - was clearly unable to hit notes of yesteryear, and seemed a bit distant from his own talent and abilities - all in all - it was so good to see and hear him.
My first encounter with this group was in 1967 - quite by accident - at the former Cinnamon Cinder Club in Los Angeles. I was 16 years old, and driving around with three high school buddies/fellow musicians and we just happened by this club. Most likely gained admission for $3.00....and no line whatsoever back then! I remember walking around this shoddy room - and there was this band on stage wearing cowboy hats and playing big Gretsch Guitars. We were Beatle and Stones and Kinks fans - and had no idea who this was - nor did most of the restless crowd. But, then they fired up "For What It's Worth" and we said - hey, that's that cool song on the radio. Fans ever since.
Because there are so many Canadians on this forum I felt compelled to say that it was sad to see the setting without the presence of all 5 original members.
Buffalo was three Canadians - and two Americans.
Bruce Palmer - Bass - Toronto, Ontario, Canada - d:Oct 01, 2004
Dewey Martin - Drums - Chesterville, Ontario, Canada - d:Jan 31, 2009
But one Great Canadian ( Neil Young) was there - and in full form - like a 22 year old !!
His most notable moments were his songs: I Am A Child, Mr. Soul, and Expecting To Fly.
Ovations like you have never heard. He also sounded 22 !
I made a few fruitless attempts to gain backstaqe access - but security was turning away even local celebrities not on the A List. I have known Neil for many years - and have even been to His and Peggy's ranch on a few occassions. My good friend (John Nowland) has been his personal engineer at Redwood Digital for 3 decades....and Peggy and I were pals in high school. But, with all that - I failed to prepare a possible visit - and security treated me like one may expect. Oh well, I do understand. Backstage must have looked like a class reunion of "who's who." I base this on the VIP vehicles lining the side streets - and an impressive row of 8 matching Luxury Busses - all taking up what could have been 30 parking spots for us paying folk !
Well - I thought some of you may enjoy this read - and sorry it took so much ink!
BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD minus 2 Canadians
