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Buffalo Springfield Drummer Dewey Martin Dies at 68
- Posted on Feb 5th 2009 6:55PM by Gaylord Fields
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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