In the mid-late 1960s, an iconic group of musicians spawned a lot of the music played on oldies stations today and created a surge that changed the world. That group was Buffalo Springfield, and they were the voice of the canary in the coalmine, warbling their prophetic warnings that politicians ignored and denied. Then came the riots, the Democratic Convention in Chicago, Kent State, and several thousand lesser, but just as deadly, incidents. Some didn’t reach the stage of violence of those more prominent incident. But many did.
Divide and conquer has won many a war: bloody wars and psychological wars. By keeping demonstrations contained, authorities prevent bigger demonstrations. This has the trickle down effect of dampening public spirit. A much greater effect, however, is that it also keeps these small pockets of protest from becoming another Chicago.
The politicians have disconnected with the hoi polloi. Tian'anmen Square was China’s Chicago. What goes around comes around. This sort of protest happens often, but so long as those in control can limit the protests, they can control the people. When they can't limit them with laws, they make more draconian laws. When they can't limit them with police and military, they use more police and military. What happened in the US in the late 1960s is very evocative of what’s happening in China today.
Some of the members of Buffalo Springfield have gone on to good musical careers. A couple have gone on to win world praise. But they’ve all made their mark in the music industry, in a type of music that was, for the most part, ignored by a large part of the world’s population for a large part of the time.
I dunno if the term ‘folk music’ is en vogue, but I think it’s probably seen by most people today on the very same TV screen with granny glasses and tie-die. It’s so ‘been there, done that.’ Ancient. So last century! Black and white television.
Article comments
1 - Rebecca Davis
I'm a big fan of Stephen Stills! Wish the Buffalo Springfield would have done the reunion tour that was in the works for this year... alas.
2 - Lou Novacheck
Rebecca,
Pls drop me a note. Just tried to email you, but the edress I have is apparently no longer good. I need another copy of your book ASAP in prep for an interview later this month with David Evans, who was a friend and early playing partner of Al's. http://blogcritics.org/music/article/david-evans-a-well-kept-secret/ I didn't see any means to contact you through your site. Lemme know and I can send paypal or AmEx or check. Thanks.