Buffalo Springfield Drummer Dewey Martin Dies at 68
- Posted on Feb 5th 2009 6:55PM by Gaylord Fields
- Comments (52)
Dewey Martin, a first-rate drummer who supplied the attack behind the songs of Stephen Stills and Neil Young in Buffalo Springfield, was found dead over the weekend at his home in Van Nuys, Calif. of unknown causes. It's believed he passed away on Jan. 31. He was 68.Martin, who was born in Canada as Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff, started off his professional career as a session drummer in Nashville in the early '60s before moving to Los Angeles, where he kept the beat for several local combos. He joined the just-formed Buffalo Springfield in 1966, remaining in the group for the entirety of its brief yet influential two-year existence.
The group, which also included Richie Furay and Bruce Palmer, got its start in Los Angeles and promptly went to work on a sound that meshed rock, country and folk. The band's first single was also their lone top 10 hit. 'For What It's Worth' remains a staple of classic rock radio and a snapshot of the Vietnam era.
Other songs by the band include 'Mr. Soul,' 'Bluebird' and 'Kind Woman.' They called it quits after a third album, but it was just the beginning for Young and Stills, who have enjoyed an off-and-on musical partnership for the last 40 years. Furay later found commercial success with country-tinged rockers Poco. Martin tried in vain to keep the band alive after its split, recruiting members for the New Buffalo Springfield. Lawsuits from Young and Stills put a stop to that. Buffalo Springfield was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997.
The Band Performs 'For What It's Worth' and 'Mr. Soul' >>
Dearly Departed Musicians
Lux Interior, Feb. 4: The frontman of the legendary punk band the Cramps passed away due to a pre-existing heart condition.
Dave Allocca, Getty Images
Joven Deala, Feb. 3: The half-brother of Black Eyed Peas star Allan Pineda aka apl.de.ap (pictured), was murdered outside of his girlfriend's apartment in the Philippines.
Getty Images
Dewey Martin, Jan. 31: The drummer for the short-lived country rock pioneers Buffalo Springfield was found dead in Van Nuys, Calif. The cause of death is unknown. Martin added the backdrop to early hits penned by bandmates Neil Young ('Mr. Soul') and Stephen Stills ('For What It's Worth'). He was 68.
Getty Images
Hank Crawford, Jan. 29: The prolific saxophonist, who led Ray Charles' band, played with Jimmy McGriff and had a successful career in his own right, died at his home in Memphis. He was 74.
Tom Copi, Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
John Martyn, Jan. 29: The acclaimed British singer-songwriter, who worked alongside the likes of Eric Clapton and Phil Collins and released 20 albums throughout a 40-year career, died at a hospital in Ireland. He was 60.
Samir Hussein, Getty Images
Billy Powell, Jan. 27: The longtime Lynyrd Skynyrd keyboardist, who survived the beloved band's deadly plane crash in 1977, died at his home in Florida of undisclosed causes. He was 56.
Michael Bush, WireImage
Charlie Cooper, Jan. 22: The Telefon Tel Aviv star, left, was 31. The cause of death is currently unknown.
Bpitch Control
David 'Fathead' Newman, Jan. 20: The tenor sax player not only played with Ray Charles and other legends, but also had a successful solo career. He died of pancreatic cancer at 75.
Getty Images
Pedro Aguilar, Jan. 13: The mambo dancing legend known to most as 'Cuban Pete' was one of the genre's leading men in the 1950s. He died at the age of 81.
AP Photo/The Miami Herald, Raul Rubiera
Ron Asheton, Jan. 6: Along with Iggy Pop, left, the guitarist helped define the Detroit garage rock sound with the beloved Stooges. Although it hasn't been made official, it's believed that Asheton suffered a heart attack at his Ann Arbor, Mich. home. He was 60.
Harold Cunningham, WireImage
Reader Comments(1 of 3)
cindygreen36at 2-05-2009
Very sad day,,,,,,,,
bobster1129at 2-05-2009
sincerest condolences to the family of Louie Martin
he will be missed by his buffalo in Springfield
jammrat 2-06-2009
bobster1129at 2-05-2009
sincerest condolences to the family of Louie Martin
he will be missed by his buffalo in Springfield
=============
Yor're an idiot...
WolfMurmanat 2-05-2009
For What It's Worth.....My condolences.......!!!!
kkieferdorfat 2-06-2009
smile on your brother
Theresaat 2-05-2009
im sorry he passed away but I dont have a clue who he is God bless his family becaue i know what it is to lose a father
tomd1685at 2-05-2009
RIP Dewey.....loved your music as Sir Walter Raleigh for the Tower and Jerden labels!
laurarvail1at 2-06-2009
I was listeing to Buffalo Springfield today, remembering the "60's" (yes, I was there), and thinking of how much things have changed societally, legally, and value-wise... and yet how things have stayed the same.
I'll miss Dewey Martin, it seems we are losing our "founding fathers" of the Summer of Love, which lasted a little more than four years.
My condolences to his family, and closest friends.
RIP
madrachodat 2-06-2009
Laura,
The `60's, especially the late `60's, were the best! I listen to that kind of music all the time! I was there, too, but, in a way, I just wish I was a little older then so I could've experienced it better.
Anyway, so sad to lose another of the great herd of creative musicians. He was a member of America, too, wasn't he? Too bad he couldn't have stuck around to see the 50th anniversary of Woodstock this summer!!
Another of us drummers bites the dust! )-: Both of Jimi's drummers went in the past few years. Moon the loon, Bonzo Bonham. Like the song says, if there's a rock & roll heaven, it's sure to be a hell of a band!!!!
My sincerest condolences to Dewey's family and loved ones!! Peace be with you all!!
jammrat 2-06-2009
*You're
niteowlflyerat 2-06-2009
I will never forget "For What Its Worth" and the late 60's
and the Kent State shootings. Condolences to the family.
dossrfamat 2-06-2009
SAD, SAD DAY !
Alway's Will be Remebered.
RIP
Olter Davidat 2-06-2009
When stacking vocals, it is important to have a game plan in the beginning, at least so far as what style you are looking for. Here are a couple vocal stacking techniques I use
http://www.oltrelogo.com/
nonny2tat 2-06-2009
There was nothing like the music of the 60's. Thank God for Sirius/XM radio so I can listen all the time. If this era wasn't so influential, than there wouldn't be a clamoring to put the music in commercials or being redone (and poorly I might add) by the young kids of today. Us old folks know what it was like to live that wonderful life and it is something that will never happen again.
Mixed Nutat 2-07-2009
Thanks for the great sentiments, Nonny----I couldn't have said it any better. So I won't even try. Peace out. So long drummer. Rock on................
~~~Earle
gregat 2-06-2009
What fun to have heard this music when it was new and I was young. Another of the original sounds that todays bands have to borrow from. Peace to the family.
beadcat49at 2-06-2009
It seems unbelievable that they were around for such a short time with the huge influence they had on music. I'll never forget the first time I saw them. It was billed as a "dance" and was $2 at the door. I walked in just as Mr. Soul started and to say it was a religeous experience would be an understatement. I only saw them once more, opening for the Paul Butterfield Blues Band at the San Diego State College gym. Richard Furay still performs here in Boulder, CO once in awhile and still sounds good. They were one of the best...sad to see the first of band go.
zhangdu03at 2-06-2009
I found a hot place, you guys should try it ___Meetrich Co m_____a great place for rich people to meet their soul mates....
thefotoguy2009at 2-06-2009
You were a class act Dewey May YOU rest in Peace. My sincere condolences to the family and fellow musicians who played with Dewey.
fartingbaboonat 2-06-2009
That sucks. I believe there are two gone now. :(