Dewey Martin

Dewey Martin -- born Walter Milton Dwayne Midkiff -- grew up in the Ottawa, Canada, area and began playing the drums at age 13. One of his first bands, the Jive Rockets, featured future Staccatos guitarist Vern Craig). Martin eventually moved to the U.S., and ended up in Nashville, where he became a touring drummer with Faron Young, Roy Orbison, the Everly Brothers, Patsy Cline and others. Along the way, he adopted the surname Martin; his childhood mispronunciation of Dwayne led to "Dewey" becoming his first name. In 1964, Martin ended up in Seattle, where he played drums on Sir Raleigh and the Coupons' British Invasion-styled cover of "White Cliffs of Dover". The single was successful in Los Angeles, so Martin moved there and recruited a new Sir Raleigh and the Coupons lineup from members of the Sons of Adam. They had released four singles -- for A&M, Jerden andTower-- by early 1966 (later compiled as One Buffalo Heard) before Martin left to join the Modern Folk Quartet, briefly, and the Dillards. He was mainly looking to play country-rock, however, and in the spring of 1966, was invited to join a group calling themselves the Herd. They were soon to become better known as Buffalo Springfield. Martin remained with the band until they dissolved in May 1968. In October, Martin formed the New Buffalo Springfield (later shortened to New Buffalo) with bassist Robert C Apperson, drummer/vocalist Don Poncher, rhythm guitarist/vocalist David Price, horn player Jim Price and lead guitarist Gary Rowles. In early 1969, Price left to join Delaney & Bonnie, and when Apperson split, he was replaced by former Bobby Fuller Four bassist Randy Fuller. Rowles eventually lost interest too, quitting to join Arthur Lee's Love. Martin recruited guitarist Bob ("B.J.") Jones, and...