How did you feel becoming a Rock n Roll Hall of Famer this year?
It was a very much a special honour. To have your contribution to music appreciated in this way is, well, very special. How many people really get to do the things they really want to do and then to be honoured in this way? It's more than I could have ever expected back in 1965.

How did you view Neil Young's absence from the Hall of Fame ceremony?
Neil made a mistake. Though I might agree with some of the things he was troubled with, he picked the wrong time and place to do it. For a star of his calibre to have marred this moment for the others who were there with him at the beginning, not to show up on this special night, was selfish and prideful. We missed him.

The story of Buffalo Springfield is very turbulent. How keen were you to tell the story of the band after all these years?
John told the story, I just confirmed what I could remember.

Had you had offers before John Einarson's?
Yes, but not for just the focus of the Springfield.

Did it dredge up good or bad memories? Were there a lot of things you hadn't thought about in a long time?
There were both kind of memories. I want to remember it for the good ones and the opportunities it afforded me to go on. Certainly John, being the research man he is ... there were a lot of things that he brought up to me that were very strange to think about today. Sometimes as I read and reflect on it, it's as if there was another person there - I'm glad it was me and I'm glad for all the opportunities it gave me to share the other music I had in me.

Was it disappointing not to have the input of all the members in the book?
I guess so, especially Steve. John had already amassed a lot of information from Neil so a lot of his perspective was already there, but it would have been nice to have heard more from Steve - it was his band. I understand he wants to do his own book - it's gonna take some doing to surpass this one.

During the Buffalo Springfield days you obviously took a less aggressive attitude to getting songs on the albums - do you regret that now?
That's the way it was, Steve and Neil were a lot more aggressive and their songs were worthy of the records. The Lord has his way and his timing and I was given the opportunity to release my music and my heart later. It all worked out.

What unreleased Springfield-era Furay material is lying around waiting to see the light of day.
There are some songs but most of them are Steve and Neil's. I might have a few but most of them are theirs.

What is your attitude to a Buffalo Springfield box set and releasing a lot of unheard material?
I think it's time.

What do you see as the achievements of the band?
The Buffalo Springfield had a mystique that really lives on today. Something about the band captured the interest of a lot of people. It's very interesting that five guys could come together for such a short amount of time, release three records - with only one hit - and have this kind of impact. Two of the members are twice inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame for their contribution - some who followed with bands closely connected (Poco, the Eagles, Loggins & Messina) will have others. If Poco is inducted that could mean two to three others being inducted twice also. Tim (B. Schmitt), Randy (Meisner) and myself. If that is the case, and who knows if Poco will be acknowledge for its contribution, but if so then the Springfield will have three members inducted twice. I don't know of any other band that that has or would happen to. That, in itself, says something about the contribution of the Springfield.

What do you see as your greatest achievement within the band?
Certainly as a lead singer but for the few songs I did contribute - 'Kind Woman' and 'A Child's Claim to Fame' were the forerunners of the Country Rock music to come. Songs like that opened the door for the music that became the music of the 70s. I, myself, never had the hits but the vision I had certainly knocked open the door for the later contributions of groups like the Eagles.

In the last days with the Springfield and the early days of Poco you were closely linked with Jim Messina. How is your relationship these days?
There is somewhat of a distnace between us. I love him and certainly respect him for his tremendous contribution. I hope he is able to enjoy all the success he's had. He's a driven person and I'm not sure he's able to really appreciate all he's done.

How is your relationship with the original members of the Springfield?
We really don't have much of a relationship. That's the one thing I was looking forward to, re-acquainting ourselves with each other again. We did so much together many years ago it seems a shame to let it all go. I would have hoped it meant more to all of us, but I'm not sure now. How quickly we forget.

Were there any Springfield myths you were keen to dispel?
They're all true.

Any wrongs that you felt needed righting?
I wish we might have been more open with each other. Then again maybe we were too open. At any rate, something's got lost along the way between us that makes a part of it not complete...without closure.

It seems reading the book that doing a re-union was the hardest thing in the world to organise? From reading your quotes it appears you're not worried if it never happens?
My life has changed a lot. I still love the guys, love the music and would love to say 'Hey! again. But if it never comes to pass, the one thing I know is that my Lord Jesus Christ has given me the desires of my heart, blessed me with his grace, a family that loves me and I love them. I've got a wife of thirty years, four daughters, one grandson. I still have the opportunity to share the music of my heart. I've made some great friends along the way and my cup runneth over. There is nothing I could ask for, I've been blessed exceeding abundantly beyond all I'm able to ask or think. I was sad we couldn't get it together at the time, but who knows, maybe it wasn't the right time.

What are you currently doing musically?
I just released a new CD of some of my devotional songs called In My Father's House. I had some great musicians play on it and met some wonderful new friends as well as seeing some old ones. I have done a couple of recent concerts in southern California - both secular and Christian. I'm having a great time right now except for doing a little fishin'.

¡Tarantula!
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©1997 Christopher Hollow