I guess you will have to take my word for it, but the scribbles you see in the photo above are the remains of the autograph I got from Stephen Stills. Below his signature he wrote “Buffalo Springfield”. I got his, and his fellow bandmates autographs, on one of the most memorable nights of my life. I didn’t know the names of the Buffalo Springfield members, and until I was able to buy their album, I thought that Stephen Stills’ name was Stephen Stiles, because of the way his signature looked.
Here is how that memorable night went:
Everyone has their favorite concert experience and mine took place on May 20, 1967. A few months before, I started hearing the song “For What It’s Worth” by the Buffalo Springfield that was getting airplay on the local radio station. The Buffalo Springfield was a previously unknown group, but I really liked the song and was quite surprised to find out that the group was coming to Evansville to play for a dance, (yes, a dance) at Roberts Municipal Stadium. My cousin Dan, who was in town visiting, my sister, and I all decided to attend.
We were early at arriving, but nevertheless, when we climbed out of the car in the large, empty stadium parking lot, we could hear the wailing of an electric guitar, emanating from the stadium,. “Wow,” we exclaimed as we looked at each other, “This could be good.”
Once inside the stadium we were surprised at how few people were there, but our attention quickly focused on the stage, where a lanky dark haired guy wearing a turned down white navy hat and a long-fringed leather jacket was loudly putting his guitar through its paces. We later learned that his name was Neil Young.
He soon disappeared backstage, and there was a lull with nothing happening, so we just milled around with the sparse crowd on the floor of the large cavernous stadium. Both The Buffalo Springfield and a group called The Outsiders were scheduled to play for the dance. I was familiar with the music of the Outsiders because they got a lot of radio play in Evansville, but they were nothing special to me, I was there to hear the Buffalo Springfield.
The MC came on stage and explained that there had been some disagreement between the two bands as to the order in which the two bands would play. It had been decided that the Buffalo Springfield would begin, then The Outsiders would play a full set, followed with a final set by the Springfield.
We gathered along with a few others at the edge of the stage and stood right in front of it, which was at shoulder-level. The Springfield came out and started their first song. I was totally blown away. They were so tight and professional, with both their instruments and vocals.
I stood there transfixed by the wall of sound in front of me, Neil Young’s piercing guitar solo stuck me from the right, then Stills hit me from the left, his riff produced by fingerpicks on his electric guitar strings. Richie Furay jumped in with his electric twelve-string from the middle. Vocals came in from different directions harmonizing, exactly on time and on pitch. I was positioned immediately in front of the stage. I was so close, I could just about reach out and touch Stephen Still’s boot.
Having mostly heard local bands playing live, I was mesmerized by the precision of the group in front of me and I thought to myself, this is the real thing, this is what it must be like hearing The Beatles up close.
The Buffalo Springfield finished their set and while The Outsiders were setting up. I turned around to see what was happening in the rest of the stadium. There still weren’t many people there, but obviously some had been dancing and during the break, they were retreating to the stands.
During the lull, members of the Buffalo Springfield meandered over to sit in the empty stands and watch The Outsiders. My cousin, sister, and I walked over to talk to the Springfield and get autographs. I asked Stephan Stills if he had ever played the banjo, since he was using finger picks on his guitar. No, he didn’t. When asked, they told me they had gotten their name from a steamroller they had come upon, and it had the name “Buffalo Springfield” on its nameplate.
The dancing picked up when The Outsiders began to play. I am sure they were the big draw for most of those who were in attendance. We remained talking to the Buffalo Springfield during the Outsider’s set, until they went back to prepare for their final set.
Full of energy the Springfield started to perform again. All of their songs except “For What Its Worth” were new to me, but I was ecstatic standing there watching what the guitar players were doing in an attempt to learn some new tricks. On and on they played.
They began playing an extended version of what I believe was the song “Mr. Soul,” because the guitar riff reminded me of “Satisfaction.” The magic intensified. Neil Young would break into a screaming guitar solo, then Stills would answer with one of his unique playing riffs. Back and forth they went, playing off of each other; Stills, Young, Stills, Young. I loved it. Unfortunately, then the stadium lights began to flash on and off as the building staff tried to signal that it was time for everyone to leave.
The Buffalo Springfield slowly returned to Earth, and the greatest musical experience of my life came to an end.
Sadly, those precious autographs I had gotten that night are now almost incomprehensible, particularly that of Neil Young. Which is one of my biggest losses. (below)
The autographs of Richie Furay (who later formed the band Poco) and Dewey Martin (Springfield drummer) are still legible. (below)
You can see my paintings at: davidmarchant2.ca
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