![]() The Byrds' final album was released in March 1973, with the reunited group disbanding soon afterwards. McGuinn disbanded the then current lineup in early 1973, to make way for a reunion of the original quintet. McGuinn elected to rebuild the band's membership and, between 19, he helmed a new incarnation of the Byrds, featuring guitarist Clarence White among others. McGuinn and Hillman decided to recruit new members, including country rock pioneer Gram Parsons, but by late 1968, Hillman and Parsons had also exited the band. The Byrds continued as a quartet until late 1967, when Crosby and Clarke also departed the band. However, this version of the band was relatively short-lived and by early 1966, Clark had left due to problems associated with anxiety and his increasing isolation within the group. The original five-piece lineup of the Byrds consisted of Jim McGuinn (lead guitar, vocals), Gene Clark (tambourine, vocals), David Crosby (rhythm guitar, vocals), Chris Hillman (bass guitar, vocals), and Michael Clarke (drums). They also played a pioneering role in the development of country rock, with the 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo representing their fullest immersion into the genre. As the 1960s progressed, the band was influential in originating psychedelic rock and raga rock, with their song "Eight Miles High" and the albums Fifth Dimension (1966), Younger Than Yesterday (1967) and The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968). Tambourine Man (1965), by melding the influence of the Beatles and other British Invasion bands with Bob Dylan's compositions and other contemporary and traditional folk music. Initially, the band pioneered the musical genre of folk rock on their album Mr. Their signature blend of clear harmony singing and McGuinn's jangly twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar was immediately absorbed into the vocabulary of popular music and has continued to be influential up to the present day. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of contemporaries like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones for a short period in the mid-60s, the Byrds are today considered by critics to be one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole consistent member, until the group disbanded in 1973. Gene Clark died later that year from natural causes, accelerated by his long term substance abuse problems.The Byrds / b ɜːr d z/ were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The Byrds figured prominently in Clarks last years – the band feuded over the use of the band name by competing groups before reuniting for their induction into the Rock and Roll hall of Fame in 1991. ![]() This led to the short-lived McGuinn, Clark and Hillman group.Īfter staying out of music for a few years, Gene Clark returned with an album in 1986 and his popularity rose, driven by the new jangle rock sound from bands like REM – which traced their sound back in part to the Byrds. On the same bill with Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, the trio added a short set of Byrds songs to their shows. After releasing a solo record in 77, Clark put aside his fear of flying to perform in an international tour. Gene Clark continued an on again, off again relationship with the Byrds and its’ various members through the early 80s. His following release, the start of a collaboration with Doug Dillard was also a critical success but a commercial failure. A combination of a fear of flying, his limited guitar skills and disputes over income distribution led to his departure from the group in 1966.Ĭlark went on to record a pioneering country rock album as his first solo record which commercially was overshadowed by a simultaneous release from the Byrds. The pair began forming the band that would eventually become the Byrds and Clark would become their primary songwriter. After a brief stint in the New Christy Minstrels Clark left for LA where he met Roger McGuinn. At 13 he cut his first record with a rock combo but soon changed his focus to folk rock after hearing the Everly Brothers. ![]() Best remembered for his short stint as the lead vocalist of the Byrds, the late Gene Clark had a varied career in music ranging from early psychedelic pop singles to a pioneering role in the creation of country rock.īorn in Missouri, Clark picked up his interest in music from his father, an amateur musician. ![]()
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