History of THE BYRDS part one |  

"The Byrds pioneered not just folk rock, but raga rock, psychedelic rock, country rock, electronic rock, bluegrass rock-- and they did it all in about a four year period." -- This guy gets it.

Outstanding job, thank you. Will never forget seeing The Byrds in Phoenix 1965 in front a few feet from the band with my girlfriend on my shoulders. special days. Also, Chris Hillman did benefit concerts for my friends church in Central California in the 2010’s. A lovely guy and very kind.

Gene Clark was invaluable to filling out the song writing key to make their music different. Each member brought their own value too with their outstanding harmonies.

I love the Byrds --- one of the most iconic bands of the 1960's . Great episode sir . Many thanks 👍

So cool to hear the Preflyght tunes and the genesis of the Byrds sound, especially McGuinn's guitar and their harmonies. Great job--can't wait for Part Two. Cheers!

The Byrds were Grammy nominated for 'Best New Artist', but lost to The Anita Kerr Singers. We all know how influential that act was.

They were absolutely one of the most influential bands in music history... one of a kind band, you'll never hear the likes of them again... Long live the Music and Legacy of The Byrds🎼🎶🎶🎤🎸🎸🎸🥁

I can't believe how better the rock music was back then.

Now this is going to be special, thank you so much, The Byrds deserve all the respect, a fountain of creativity for every generation of musicians and listeners.

They were the coolest looking band in the world in 1965-66, and one of the best-sounding as well.

One of my favourite 60s bands with a genuine different sound from other bands. Great music. Thanks for this one

The most notable things about the early Byrds are, indeed, Roger (Jim) McGuinn's 12-string and Gene Clark's voice (you can't miss it).

It's always crazy to me to think the Byrds gave away "You Showed Me." Even the demo versions of it are so catchy it sounds like a massive hit that could've been. Well, it was, just for the Turtles instead of the Byrds.

Of course I love "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better" like many do. But I also can't get enough of "Set You Free This Time". Gene's vocal is just wonderful throughout and tghe song is top notch.

I like Blackburn & Snow's recording of Crosby's "Stranger in a Strange Land" but wasn't aware it was rejected from the Byrds's second album. Great post, Matt. As always, well researched and informative.

Terrific. So well put together.

One of the great bands, very underrated in my view. Listen to REM and you will hear their influence.

My favorite band, bar none. This was EXCELLENT, brother! God bless you!

I've listened to the Byrds from the mid 60s to now, when I'm at my domestic tasks. I find much of their output poignant, stirring and euphorically beautiful.

"McGuinn and McGuire are just a-gettin' higher / In L.A., you know where that's at."--John Phillips & Michelle Phillips, "Creeque Alley"

The Byrds and the later day Beach Boys are, to me, the greatest of the underrated American 60s group

The Byrds have one of the most storied careers and wide-ranging repertoires covering multiple newly-conceived musical genres on their part in music history. Can't wait for the next part(s) of this chapter!

Fantastic! The Byrds were one of the best! Here Without You is one of those songs that often gets overlooked; Gorgeous, haunting harmonies and interesting chord progressions. They have many excellent songs, but that one was always my favorite. Looking forward to the next part!

Chris Hillman has stated that only Jim McGuinn played on "I Knew I'd Want You", which was cut at the same session as "Mr. Tambourine Man". Hal Blaine (drums), Larry Knechtel (bass) were 2 of the session players on that recording.

Wow, this is really good! Going to check out part 2 next. So glad I found this channel -- Great work!!

The Byrds were and will always be my favorite. Because of McGuinn, I, too, bought a Ricky 12 string and eventually a Martin D35-12, which I still own nearly 60 years later.

Feel a Whole Lot Better and She Dont Care About Time are definitely my fav Byrds tunes - maybe two of my all time favs. Too bad they didnt lean heavier into Gene Clark's writing as time went by.

I had never heard the early demos. You consolidated and synthesized a lot of information to make this a very enjoyable documentary. You must be a fan of the era. I grew up hearing this music, and it felt the way Gospel music sometimes does: very spiritual and liberating. You hear Judy Collins or the Byrds version of Turn, Turn, Turn and you feel a little of what was in the air back then, the hope, love and peace permeates. Thanks for your work and for sharing this stuff.

"Didn't bring their equipment."? Well no, it wouldn't have worked if they did

Awesome, thanks Matt... Wasnt aware of their early incarnation as "The Beefeater's" which I found amusing. Their was a trend in Canada & the US for acts to mimic Brit Invasion bands of course as they were all the rage... Perhaps most famously the Texas based "Sir Douglas Quintet", the late great Doug Sahm & their 1965 hit "She's About a Mover". Haircuts, Carnaby Street suits, Doug going so far as to put on a fake British accent, the rest of the members of the band told to keep it zipped in interviews.... actually worked for awhile.... Several famous examples. And going the other way, from Britain to the US, a vocal group called "The Nashville Teens" who charted in North America, they about as American as a pint of Watneys Red Barrel.

Roger joined Marty Stuart in a charity show at the Ryman a while back. My friend who played for Marty introduced us before the show during the sound check. He’s a genuinely nice guy. Turns out he loves train travel. I am a civil engineer in the railroad industry and he wanted to know more about me than what I wanted to ask him. A very cool side note is that Marty’s guitar was invented and owned by The Byrds’ Clarence White decades ago. It was back on stage with Roger.

Thorough as always Matt. Thank you Sir. Really looking forward to Part 2. RNB

Thank you for this informative episode on one of my favorite 60's groups. So very talented musicians! Looking forward to more.

Just think about it for a moment. 4 brilliant singers guitarists and songwriters in one band. I mean its pretty incredible. Eight Miles High is one of the best , period.

Wow! thanks Matt...I have all the Byrds' albums on vinyl and some of their singles (as well as many of the solo albums)...learned some intriguing back stories and observed some never before seen (for me) photo's...much appreciated...cheers :)

If anyone needs more on this go and see Roger McGuinn's live show. Essentially, it's his and the Byrd's history all in one. Worth hearing him! You are, just as here, sitting there going, this was historic. As soon as you hear the guitar - it's like wow, transcendent.

Matt, I heard many years ago that Sonny and Cher saw the Byrds play “All I Really Wanna Do” at Ciro’s before they released the single, and Sonny rushed to record and release it first, to Bob Dylan’s dismay. Have you heard this story? Thank you for featuring the Byrds!

Great stuff, thank you. In as much as I love McGuinn, he was very lucky that he sang lead on "Mr. Tambourine Man" establishing himself as the "focus" guy in the group. I say that because if you listen to the first two albums, and then the later released (but earlier recorded) PREFLYTE album, you can easily hear that Gene Clark was THE lead singer and songwriter of the group - by a longshot.

Found you after listening through two other histories of the Byrds. The first was a mere forty minutes. The second was a bit longer, but not any more in depth. I found yours third, and yours is the most in depth and extensive. Four parts no less! Thank you for really giving the subject the time it deserves and requires. Sure, yours doesn't have the fancy scmancy on location in So Cal, Sunset Strip and Laurel Canyon, but I'd much rather have the detail and time required to get that detail, so thank you!

I disagree, the Byrds version of "All I Really Want Do" is brilliant. "Wait and See" and "Oh Sussanah" are the two weakest songs on "Turn, Turn, Turn".

A big part of McGuinn’s 12 string sound was the use of heavy compression. It’s a staple in country music guitar picking, but McGuinn took it somewhere else with tracks like Eight Miles High, where the chime sustains and he could emulate the phrasing effects of Coltrane’s India, even down to the audible sound of saxophone keys clacking being mimicked by McGuinn’s fret hammering.

The Byrds are my most played group of the year (according to apple music) and I had a feeling you'd be diving into their history! I can't stop listening to their albums - stopping at Notorious Byrds Brothers of course. Great video!

My love for the Byrds turned to eternal hate after the group and its spinoffs screwed me over three times out of three. In '68 or '69 we paid $25 (an enormous sum for a general admission ticket in those days) and after waiting 4 hours for them to show up we left and the arena refused to refund our money. About two years later the Burrito Brothers showed up 3 hours late and played a 15 minute set. In 1979 I paid to see McGuinn, Clark & Hillman and they showed up 2 hours late and played a 20 minute set; to this day when I hear their song I substitute a chorus "Don't you rip me off like that / Don't you rip me off like that / Don't you rip me off like that / It's my effing money so please give it back." A pox on their houses!

What a special great band! So much great music. We will miss David! We are all lucky we have the music we can still listen too! Thanks! For your care about some great music!

The 4-CD box set of the Byrds has been a gem for me for many years. Never could get enough of it. And the Gene Clark 2-CD Flying High collection. Love it totally for an in depth visit with him.

I’ve been looking forward to this, for me their first 6 albums are groundbreaking and the albums that followed were very good as well. I have Johnny Rogan’s books on the band which are brilliantly written. Theirs is a complicated story, all that great music came at a price. McGuinn and Co were tough characters which made life difficult for Gene Clark. Crosby is notorious in the music industry. Great video, looking forward to the rest of this series.

Strong start to what will prove to be a great history of a great group. Thanks for taking on The Byrds history. I can't imagine how many parts you'll do this in, but looking forward to all of them.

Wow, so cool. Can’t wait for part 2, thank you Matt!

Totally awesome band and in my top 3 bands of all time got to see roger n David @ different times but oh what a great band the byrds were truly great stuff looking forward to part 2 great video love the byrds

As always, appreciate your perception, that "She Don't Care About Time" could have been an A side... A knockout Gene Clark song & great recording .

I’m so glad to hear that this band is getting recognition because day one in 1965. I was onto them listening to everything and their harmonies were like my friends. Their music stellar just over the top. I actually like them better than the Beatles and the stones. So so much to be grateful for.

For about 20 years, I wore granny style prescription glasses somewhat resembling those of Jim McGuinn's, until I abandoned them for larger frames for better eye vision. Bought a secondhand 360/12 Rickenbacker in 1996 and still have it now.

There 3 part harmonies sounds like one voice when I listen to them. I could never tell who was singing what part. Also sounds like the prelude to Crosby Stills and Nash harmonies.

I loved the guitar sound of the Byrds. Like a rhythm section answering the lyrics. It was magic in Mr Tambourine Man. A fantastic creation. Never heard before. Add the vocal harmonies and you get a masterpiece.

Excellent Report. Good Musical History

Great to hear more episodes on The Byrds are coming. They have always been my favorite band. I have met McGuinn and Hillman and talked extensively with both. Seeing and hearing them play the old Byrds tunes with Marty Stuart and his band on the Sweetheart Of The Rodeo tour was something I waited for all my life. It was a very emotional experience. I'll tell you more at a later date.

I just discovered your channel, I really love it. Can’t wait to see what else you cover. Really hope that you get into some of the offshoots of the Byrds, like the burritos etc.

Back in the late 1980's, Columbia Legacy released their great 4 cd boxset on The Byrds; while Rhino released a deep dive collection of their earlier sessions not covered on Columbia's set. As a kid remembering that opening Rickenbacker riff to Mr Tambourine Man in 1965; those two releases are a must-have for any Byrds fan. Columbia came back later with another Byrds box set dive into their work, including a DVD of some of their earlier tv appearances (pre-youtube where now, we can find everything and anything!). Matt's thorough and in-depth historic retelling of the tale is just as important. The perfect bookend to the audio soundtrack. My own personal favorite: She Has A Way, with the trademark Rickenbacker, Hillman bass and those harmonies crafted like they were from heaven!

A wonderful 1st Part to what will be a fascinating look at one of the '60s greatest bands. The distinct personalities of the members in the Byrds is legendary but you have kept the primary focus on the most important aspect: the music. It's gorgeous, visionary and highly influential, and for that reason the Byrds could rightly be considered "America's Beatles". This is a great story and you're ambition in telling it is second only to your attention to detail. Great job, Matt!

In the song from the Byrd's first album (one of my favorites by the way) I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, I love how Gene Clark plants the word "probably" into the lyrics. It puts that little bit of indecision into the song's up-front decision. A great way with word play. A songwriter way ahead of his time.

I loved the Byrds most of all the 60's bands

In August of '65, I was cruising Sunset Blvd. in my '59 Chevy . I was on vacation from my full-time summer job, & decided to drive out to LA, from Denver, where I was born & raised, & was attending CU-Denver, part-time. My older sister & her family lived in Hawthorne, so I stayed there. As it happened, a car with 5 guys pulled along side ; they too, were from Denver. They were a local band , formerly " The Esquires", then changing their name to " The Soul Survivors", they were out in LA, hunting a record contract. They were : Gene Chalk----John Day-----Alan Kemp-----Randy Meisner, & Pat Shanahan. Well, we talked, & as they were headed to The Continental Hyatt House Hotel, they invited me along. I parked my car on a side street, & hopped in with them, & off we went . When we got there, it so happened The Byrds were there, holding forth, in the Lobby right by the windows facing Sunset. The group's manager intro'd us to them. All 5 , with the exception of " Cros ", as he was called, were genuinely nice guys. McGuinn----Gene Clark, Hillman, & Mike Clark were friendly, & genuinely nice guys. Crosby was stuck-up, & a total, ass-hole. We caught them, as they were waiting for Terry Melcher & Lou Adler. They " had business to do " , whatever THAT was. All 5 had girls with them, & OMG, all of them were so young, & sooo cute ! In those days, rockers could get away with almost anything. We stayed almost 2 hours , just talking . As I wasn't a musician, i did what I always did best : I listened, hardly saying anything. After the guys left, we stayed another 30--45 minutes. By then, it was late. I finally got back to my car around 2AM, & back to Hawthorne, by 3. It was a long night, but a great experience. The band ended up getting a contract, with Liberty Records. A week later, back in Denver, they played at a free concert, featuring The Beach Boys, sponsored by 950AM, KIMN. I was there, & along with 2 other local bands, the guys played a great set, at the old Downtown Auditorium Arena. -----------What a time it was, to be young, with all of life, ahead. ---------------------MJL, 76 y/o

Thanks for another wonderful profile Matt. No Use and and it Won't be wrong are pretty solid toe tapers. I remember buying the first 3 albums in the box set at 14 in the early 80's wit my lawn cutting money. While I was stoked on my investment I recall being baffled by Oh Susannah. Looking forward to the next 2 parts. Cheers.

I appreciate your hard work to get this out! Greetings and much love from Illinois!❤️

Thank you for that in depth bio. I have always been a fan of America's answer. Love the channel! Kudos.

I’ve found a version of It’s No Use by Basil & The Baroques, it’s on a couple of 1960’s garage comps on Spotify. I cannot find anything about them on line. It’s a very good version imo! It’s listed on discogs as a single with We’ll Meet Again on the A side, released October 1965!

I loved their song, "For Your Love!

I bought the single "Set You Free This Time" b/w "It Won't Be Wrong". Only kid in my class at school who had it. Really liked those two songs. It was fun knowing about two great songs no one else in school was familiar with.

Thanks, Matt. Another Excellent Review. Anticipating Part Two. Notes: As for me, The Byrds were always a curious band, highly influential yet with inconsistent chart success, especially beyond 1965-1966. Some songs you’d expect to be great successes weren’t while others like “All I Really Want To Do” were massive mistakes, choices which caused The Byrds to lose serious critical, artistic and commercial momentum at a crucial point in time. The late, great Gene Clark emerged as the best songwriter. “Feel A Whole Lot Better” and “She Don’t Care About Time” are just two of The Byrds great early original gems. McGuinn’s jingly-jangly 12-String Rickenbacker Sound got a bit predictable within 2 years. There are other guitars, Jim-Roger! Believe the ever-changing line-ups were important to the band’s progression. Love “Preflyte” as evidence of this band’s potential. Psychedelic “Eight Miles High” kept The Byrds relevant and aloft for awhile, and never gets old. Despite his undeniable talents, I wouldn’t want David Crosby in my band. High performance but Low Trust = Highly Toxic.

As usual, great research and presentation. And also a shout out for your overall video production/techniques moving up that extra notch! Thanks Matt.

Turn Turn Turn was a tough song for Mcguinn. I defy any 12 string guitarist to nail this song the way he played it in one take.

Without The Byrds there would be no Tom Petty.

I learned so much from this video. I've only tested the waters with the discount 5 disc box set of the first 5 original albums. I knew nothing of their recordings before Mr. Tambourine Man. I'm really looking forward to part two, when you'll no doubt start talking about songs I've never heard before. Thank you for this. Feel A Whole Lot Better (mono mix) is my all time favorite Byrds track so far.

Gene Clark was the man! 💗

The Byrds are one of my favourite 60's bands so this band history was a real treat, thank you Matt! I've been digging deeper into Gene Clark's solo recordings lately, what a talent he was. Bring on part 2!

Chris said in an interview that the harmonies were originally done by Vern and Rex Gosdin as a scratch track, then The Byrds would come back in to record the final version.

Thanks for the video! It’s too bad “She Don’t Care About Time” never made the cut for the Turn!Turn!Turn! Album, and that they rejected all three of David’s suggestions for the album: Stranger in a Strange Land, The Flower Bomb Song, and Dino Valenti’s “I Don’t want to spoil the party” (later done by the qms)

There are two types of people in the world: Those who don't get along with David Crosby, and David Crosby.

One of the greatest American bands

Ok, I’m hooked. Great job! :)

Ooooh…. was waiting for this since you first mentioned it a while back Matt! So enjoyed revisiting the early Byrds, it’s easy to forget that pre-internet I had to send away (by post) for singles via the Byrds fanzine in the early 90s, and I remember on a trip to Holland walking into a record shop literally in the middle of nowhere and finding it stuffed with Byrds rarities including the fabled, then holy-grail Preflyte. So, a few things, Oh Suzannah was indeed meant as a tongue-in-cheek number as were the closers to the other 2 of the first 3 LPs (certainly according to Johnny Rogan’s book, and I’m sure he had one of the band as a source), and it’s really worth paying particular attention to the guitar solo on the sublime Gene Clark track ‘She Don’t Care About Time’ which McGuinn borrowed from JS Bach’s ‘Jesu, joy of man’s desiring’, I mean who does that?! Thanks Matt, and looking forward to Part 2 🙏🏻

I’ve been a huge Byrds fan since I first heard 8 Miles High back in 1977. Your overview was spot on and I was impressed with all the photos you uncovered. Mr Tambourine Man still ranks as one of my favorite albums- especially Feel a whole Lot Better, Here Without You, Bells of Rhymney & title track. While Mr Tambourine Man gets the nod as the first folk-rock song, I think ‘Ticket To Ride’ could also be considered. They were recorded about the same time so something apparently was in the air around then (unintended drug reference lol).

Wow … stranger in a strange land, original, is amazing!

An especially wonderful presentation. I really appreciate the attention to detail in chronicling just early on, in all different guises the Byrds went through before Mr. Tambourine Man. There seemed to be a lot of creative competition between Gene Clark and McGuinn & Crosby. It is both tantalizing & a pleasure to hear Blackburn & Snow's (vocal & instrumental) version of Stranger in a Strange Land, as the Byrds should have put this song on the Turn Turn Turn or Fifth Dimension albums.

Great to hear the very early recordings showing how the ‘Byrds ‘ sound evolved particularly with reference to Roger McQuin being influenced by George Harrison 12 string guitar. However another Mersey beat band , The Searchers , had been using the 12 string as their ‘sound ‘ from 1960 . I suggest that as the Beatles and Searchers were known to each other, played together etc the former perhaps were influenced by the latter in terms of using the 12 string sound.

Some mistakes, MTM and B side recorded Jan 1965 by McGuinn and session players, they only had a contract to record a single, McGuinn arranged the song 4/4 time and the intro was he’s idea - it was released May 1965 and went to #1 and then the record company wanted an Album and 1st album is played and sung by Byrds except for the previous MTM and B side released hit.

Gene Clark was the best songwriter in The Byrds.

Truly exceptional.

I just downloaded Preflyte! Thank you, I love it:)

Best song on Tambourine Man is "Here W/o You " not sure why it wasn't mentioned...Gene Clark was a genius

Great video Matt! Can’t wait for part 2 when the Byrds go down to a four piece but embrace the changing times of psychedelia!

Great vid Matt, cant wait for the next couple parts! A few things of note. I Knew I’d Want You was cut the same day as Tambourine Man, and used the same session men. While some say otherwise, Chris Hillman himself has said neither him or anyone in the group but McGuinn played on it. Great song though! The Times They Are A-Changin’ was actually intended to be the Byrds third singles, scheduled for a Sept, 65 release. This would’ve included an earlier version of The Times They Are A-Changin’ which can be found as a bonus track to the Turn Turn Turn CD. It went as far as having cat number assigned and a picture sleeve drawn up but never pressed. She Dont Care About Time was the still intended flip, though it’s unclear if it was the earlier version also found on the bonus tracks of the Turn Turn Turn cd or the version we got on the original Turn Turn Turn single, I think the latter myself. They did of course recut The Times They Are A-Changin’ for the album which we’ve heard for years but the original intended single version is shorter yet used a verse left out of the album one. Go figure. And lastly, According to McGuinn, Oh Sussanah was to be sort of a joke that didn’t come off right. The Byrds had an idea of ending every album with a off the wall kinda tune or choice. We’ll Meet Again off Mr. Tambourine Man and The Lear Jet Song off 5th Dimension were also done as funny little oddities to close their albums. It sorta died after that but was revived briefly for their two 69 albums with their last tracks. Again, love your band vids, particularly the extra detailed facts. Cant wait for more! Peace and Love!

Really good, in-depth stuff here. Oh, and by the way - THANK YOU for not feeling obligated to stick a huge microphone in front of your face like virtually every other RU-vidr does. Well done.

Like the version of All I Really Want To Do and I have heard that I'll Probably Feel was the fans fav and their most requested song and do you know if Roger ever got to meet George . if so how did it go

Ya know, the Byrds were so big, so influential, that it’s hard to put them into focus. Good job, Matt! I’ll make some additional comments when you discuss their country period. ✌🏻🇺🇸🎸

Hurray!

Excellent. Made me get out my Byrds box set. I found 3 CDs I made, 1 includes the "Preflyte Sessions" album with album tracks that didn't make the box set list. 'She Has a Way' is my favorite. Looking forward to part 2. How about a video on the "Nuggets II" box set? 109 bizarre songs the UK mostly, the psychedelic era oddities. The band names may not be familiar but many of the players are.

YESSSSSS!!! I feel The Byrds are more influential than The Beatles simply because of all of the different genres thay created/impacted.

The Byrds were boring because I think they had one gear This is a good video I love the information you bring.

Funny. Many years ago, I heard it was George Harrison who bought his 12-string because when the Beatles came to America, George heard Jim McGuinn's 12-string, he liked the sound. Buying his in time to feature on A HARD DAY'S NIGHT.