@Dion St. Michael People change over the years we all do foolish and un Christian things when we are young or before follow a new path. The key is to learn and grow. Nothing PHONEY about change.
Chris Hillman is such a good man, and like all good men, he has a very strong, beautiful woman beside him. Connie is truly a wonderful person, both of them are very generous and giving of themselves.
I remember ... even when The Byrds were new on the air, that bassist Chris Hillman was hailed as one of the best mandolin players anywhere ... SO glad to know that Chris is a brother, SO glad. How cool is that? I had no idea ...
In all of my years following this guy's career, how can you NOT love Chris Hillman? Talented, blessed and strong enough to expose his Christian soul. Pretty brave, if you ask me.
@@sammyscotch9945 I wouldn't say he was brave, but any time someone says they are christian there are always people (like yourself) ready to attack or insult them.
I admire Chris Hillman more than almost anyone in country or rock - he' s made both my favourite country & bluegrass albums (Bakersfield Bound & Morning Sky, respectively). I thank him for the joy he's given me.
I had the chance to talk to Chris mano a mano on the beach one day. I practically lived next door to him at the time. We talked music, bass guitar, a little Byrds but mostly about his work with Steven Stills and the Manassas recordings. What wonderful conversation we had!
I saw him perform with the Byrds in 1966 when I was 14. Very little was known about him since he never really spoke or sang or even smiled. It's wonderful to see what a very fine Christian man he came to be.
Love Hillman's bass line in Gene Clark's "Feel A Whole Lot Better." I think he is one of the most underrated bass guitarists (and musicians at that) ever.
I respect Chris Hillman he seems like a very level-headed man who has figured life out and he's able to balance his life and his music and not let it turn him away from their very important things in life which is family and God.
Chris has always been a favorite for me. I’m 69 & went to see him play anytime he came to New York, only wish I could hear him play live once more before I die!!
Thank you Lord Jesus. One of my favoite old bands (Byrds) and such a wonderful story. May God continue to bless you and make very fruitful your impact on those you know, and have known, Mr. Hillman.
My very first guitar was a 1954 Fender Stratocaster that my dad worked like a dog for, to give it to me for Christmas of 1963. And Chris, you are VERY right about that vocal combination. And The Byrds were a natural procession from the folk music of the early '60s ...
Great story! I have always been curious about the song "It Doesn't Matter," beautifully recorded by both Firefall and Manassas (and probably other versions that I haven't heard). Does anyone know why there are two recordings of that song, same tune, different lyrics? Though not together long, Manassas is one of my favorite all-time collaborations. Hillman rules, whether it be with the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Manassas, The Desert Rose Band, teaming with other artists, or as a solo artist. I'm so glad that he is still performing and that he has a loving wife/family and strong faith (Orthodox) . . . . he hit the trifecta in a big way.
I have been a birds fan since their start. I play all their songs in the mid 1960s in my first rock band. In the 1990s I enjoyed playing bluegrass mandolin in a band. Once I was at the Adams Ave. Street Fair with my mandolin and my young daughter. Chris and the Desert Rose guys were playing on stage. Chris announced that "this is a jam, come on up if you want to play with us". I could not leave my daughter unattended at the time, even though I tried to encourage her to come up to the stage with me. I always imagined that it would have been a magical experience. The invitation alone felt spiritual. Thanks Chris!
Wow, I had no idea that Chris Hillman was a Christian. His persona radiates peace. I've admired this guy since the Byrds days. Loved watching this video, thanks for posting!
I've always been keen on *Thoughts* *and* *Words* ( Younger Than Yesterday ) , which is an underrated psychedelic masterpiece; a fine double-entendre, too ; and *Old* *John* *Robertson* (Notorious Byrd Brothers) -- perfect mix of Bluegrass and Psychedelic and Baroque. Keep on keepin' on, *Chris* !
I know this is a little late but, God Bless you Chris and Connie and Family. Keep the Faith in Jesus Chris!!!!! An old and present fan, Doug from way out in Green Bay, WI.
Chris was part of so much great folk rock, psychedelic & bluegrass-rock music during their peak periods. Wish I had an ounce of his talent. Seems like a nice guy as well - whatever negative things some people have to say about religion it certainly seemed to make him happier and stronger.
Any musician who escaped Laurel Canyon with his/her life intact in the 60s was blessed. I hope he's kept a diary of his life in music because a book about his life in music and all the people he's known would be absolutely fascinating. I see where "The Bible Answer Man", Hank Hanegraafft has recently converted to Greek Orthodoxy.
Gave Chris a CD of Manassas long ago. He didn’t have it. He was true to his word and mailed me back a signed copy of the latest Desert Rose Band CD. Used to work out at the Gym with him occasionally. Great guy.
Fantastic musician and singer, and what a career ! Byrds, FB Bros, Desert Rose Band, RRH& P.... Too bad you never come to France, Mr Hillman. I would drive a day, to see you in Craponne Festival !
I enjoyed watching this, having heard some of the story first hand from Chris. Besides being one of the icons of American music (what hasn't he done?), Mr. Hillman is a warm communicator, and as down to earth as an old country farmer. I was thankful to get to see him and Herb again at the Narrows in Fall River, Ma. last year.
Chris Hillman, we have at least two things in common but I didn't know one of them until just right now. We've both written songs with Michael Woody...and I'm proud to say I now know JESUS as well. I look forward to meeting you eventually!
Hillman is highly underrated in the grand scheme of country music history. I really doubt the Byrds would have taken on the country undercurrents they did if, say, Richie Furay had played with them instead.
6 лет назад
Chris found Jesus in his garage and Cat Stevens found Islam as he was drowning off a So Cal beach.Making a vow to their perspective spiritual leaders was the only perceived way out of the predicament they had both gotten into.Hmm.Saw him in 79 at the Golden bear with his Silver bass.Great show.
My wife and I saw Chris with Al Perkins at the Golden Bear Huntington Beach, California in '82? My wife and I hung around after the show. After everyone left; somebody asked what we wanted. I said can we meet Chris? He checked and we went back and got to met him, Al and Michael Curtis. Chris was very gracious and thanked us for driving the distance just to see him. He signed a poster for me that I still have. I've always admired him and his work... especially with Manassas. Thanks Chris from a fellow Christian. Michael Curtis and I talked records! He was Chris' manager for Sugar Hill Records at the time. He was in a band called The Curtis Brothers who wrote the song "Blue Letter" that Lindsey Buckingham brought to Fleetwood Mac on their first album together. Nice guy too! He told me to look for The Curtis Brothers only record in my album searches. Two years later I found it in a cutout bin at Vinyl Solution Records & Tapes in Huntington Beach right around the corner from the Golden Bear. I still have it. Michael even sent me some records that I couldn't find anywhere. Great group of guys.
Glad he’s happy, but “not exactly leading an exemplary life,” as Chris says, involved three marriages and divorces before marrying Connie Pappas. That fact is absent from Internet-age info about Hillman; a few of us are old enough to recall the revolving door on his bedroom.
My point is that he’s pretending his once-turbulent (promiscuous, let’s just call it what it was) private life formerly always ended an evening with “a kiss on the cheek.” And those who don’t know his raunchy past will believe him, especially because this interview is conducted and disseminated on a religious network. The narrator said portentously, “Life imitated art.” Well, not always. Certainly most if not all of us would give Chris full credit for turning his life around during the past decades... after all, that’s what forgiveness and healing are about, right? But he loses at least a tad of credit for pretending that his pre-Connie years were equally wholesome. To do so underscores why some folk might consider Chris a little bit... let’s come right out and say it... hypocritical in glossing over the years in which he sowed bushels of wild oats. He doesn’t have to disclose full raunchy details, of course; however, quite a few longtime Hillman fans remember Anya Butler and his other two ex-wives.
I was a touring musician during those times... The biggest vices we had were..women and alcohol... It was harder to get away from the wrong women than to get off of alcohol..
And his drug use was much more than he would have you believe. Hes quick to point out that others really had a problem but he was a light user for a short time. Not true
What I don't like about the talented Chris Hillman is his constant evisceration of his old pal and collaborator Gram Parsons. I've heard it again and again. Gram never spoke of Hillman with anything but respect in the interviews I've heard. Not very charitable for such a good Christian.
Great to see you are doing so well Chris, I have always admired you and your music. Just one quick question... do you still have that striking blue nudie suit that you wore in the Flying Burrito Brothers?
Gene was an awesome song writer. Hard to find yer spot with all those singers. TheBurritos was my group. Then Poco. Just think, you got the Byrds, The Buffalo Springfield and Throw in Messian and Neil Young...and whatcha got.?A Grievous Angel Gram.Gram was the greatest singer of all time.
Very personal stuff. We all have it. Some speak, some reflect, some keep secrets. Any which way does any path really matter? To who or what? Who that you know really knows anything about the origins or meaning of existence?
And his old friends and music mates think he's crazy, when it's they who are insane, denying the obvious truths that are all around them: that they have been created.
I'm very curious about what Chris thinks about the conflict between Christianity and the Muslims I think this is one of the biggest issues of our time if he is married to a Eastern Orthodox woman I'm pretty sure that he has some opinions because the Eastern Orthodox have a long history some Muslims and not a very good one either
I think it's too bad the majority of the populous needs an external authority to think for themselves. Free Thinking is so rare but so necessary to be happy and survive sharleton authorities after your wallet and sex. I think this is pathetic.
Why do some attribute feelings originating within themselves to something outside themselves? This reality is all we have man, don't waste the little time you have here telling lies to yourself.
Nothing is concrete, but to say this is the only reality we have is ridiculous - anything could be out there. If believing in God and an afterlife makes people happier, what is the problem?
Well good for him (gag) he likes the christian life...hes a 700 club member. Send money. They need a new plane. God told them so..Even so he is a great musician
Love his music but his religious stuff makes me gag. Seems pretentious too. Surprised he didnt ask people to give money to pat robertson and the 700 club. Im sure Chris was well paid for this interview
That was disappointing. ... I wonder how often he pondered adding a 'T" to his name? ... I have nothing against faith until he weighs on ones every decision and then it becomes a weight or addiction.
A little disappointing to find that he is kind of narrow-minded. I would expect that anyone in the music business would be more advanced, more Progressive. If he really truly believes and practices what is preached... more power to him. Otherwise, what I did see of this video is rather corny!
