The 8 Miles High jam sounds a little bit like the breakdown part in Rare Earth's Get Ready! Anyway, I'm a huge Clarence White and was disappointed that he received very little camera time. What a great guitarist. The Byrds have always been a great band. I saw McGuinn about a year ago with Marty Stuart. Fantastic. He defies the aging process!
The evolution of a band. Not the folk rock pioneers anymore. but a superb rock ensemble with one of the most influential guitarists of the era. I'm glad McGuinn kept it going.
@@user-yq8sx2dh4k Around 1969 when McGuinn was the only original member and Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman went on to form the "Flying Burrito Brothers". He had Clarence White on telecaster, one of the greatest guitar players ever. They totally moved from harmony to jamming.
@@roblabelle7874 Skip Battin (playing bass here) brought immense talent as well. Among the oldest with 'Rock' on his resume , born in 1934, he had some success as a solo artist (vids on RU-vid), but his 1973 solo album titled 'Skip Battin' is a true classic! I like every track. Especially *St Louis Browns*. The Byrds' Clarence White smokes on guitar on this album, and McGuinn solos on one track.
@@daviddorchester2784 Old Ed Sullivan....I watched him all the time. I'm 63 years old...Came close to dying with a bad illness this past year...Finally got over it and now I'm totally grateful for my health.
It looks like video to me. My clue is how the light bouncing off of the chrome mic stand looks like a comets tail when the camera moves quickly. And those are some crazy cameras I see once in a while.
Gram Parsons was a banjo/mandolin player. He learned drums on the job; self taught. He showed up for a gig and was told you're on the drums in this band and over the course of the gigs he figured it out. see the Fretboard Journal interview. He really drives this band.
I love it. Skip of 'Skip & Flip' fame. The late great Clarence White, B-bender guitarist extrordinaire. Gene Parsons, great drummer. Mcguinn stuck it out, master of the 12 string, great writer, vocalist, leader.
Anyone who dislikes this does not understand the context of what was happening in rock at this time. You had Jimi Hendrix influencing Miles Davis and avant-garde jazz influencing rock in turn. You may still dislike this discordant sound that resulted in both jazz and rock but there is no disputing the magnificence of the playing. McGuinn and White on guitars, Battin on bass, and the great Gene Parsons on drums produced an incredible magnus opus with their syncopated version of the previous Byrds' number one hit EIGHT MILES HIGH. This is classic!
axiomist hahaha Your one-word response is moronic. You have no argument as to why you think it's trash, just your own subjective opinion. No wonder you call yourself "axiomist" since an axiom is a statement generally held to be true that MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE SO! Run away and play with the other dopes, axiomist, come back when you can support a rational opinion. A dumb unsupported outburst doesn't cut it. Your reply shows exactly what is wrong with social media and why the world has become so much dumber since its inception hahaha (made me laugh so much)
@@moniquedouglas2448 You speak for me, Monique. BUT ... The issue is not social media. Bygone era music comes alive to an expanding audience of first time listeners via my APPLE X port of call RU-vid access. Thank God that sci-fi is a dream come true with modern gadgetry; but modern pop music makes me yearn for another musical genre from another historical era.Computer manufactured music is sterile and synthetic.;real musicians plucking,banging,strumming with their hands strikes a matchstick that sets passion afire in the hearts and souls of people to sing and dance their woeful lonely lives away into an explosive frenzy that shouts joy all over the spacious universe with the voice of Man singing the praises of being alive on the tiny blue speck of earthan stardust we make our home. LIFE alone in my headzone without sound spaces me out of my mind!!!Although the early original version of 8 Miles High is MY favorite(what does syncopated mean?) the Clarence White, Gene Parsons sound is an enhanced(better?) more tonal textured sound.Thank God for D-I-V-E-R-S-I-T-Y.
@@moniquedouglas2448 The spectrum of public opinion is a dynamic range;comprised of varying levels of appreciation.The social media web is also a social support group of interchangeable thoughts .Sharing means helping all of us to advance, together.Hopefully,it will live up to its billing as a group S.O.S. call for HELP that elicits a collective response for the betterment of all!!!
@@moniquedouglas2448 This is a question for the Razor sharp insightful intellect that YOU,alone,are:Axiom's ONE word exclamatory comment triggered a nearly 100 word overreactive retort by YOU aimed at his empty head ; meant to underscore his dim wit...But...do you think that he'll get it in light of the FACT that he is BRAIN DEAD?!?
Here we go again with the "tight" description. Yeah, tight maybe but not The Byrds and not what I would call creative or distinguished. Drumming doesn't make a band.
@@timj9418 But it can ruin a band. Bad drummers can absolutely bring an entire band down. It's why when I was growing up in the 60's if someone discovered a good drummer, every band wanted him and was willing to replace the guy they had. The original drummer with the Byrds wasn't very good. McGuinn went out and got top notch musicians for this incarnation. Clarence White's reputation preceded him of course, he was a bluegrass legend even at that young age, but the drummer and bass player were also top notch musicians. I saw this line up and they were terrific. And yes in 1970 their playing was both creative and distinguished. Maybe 49 years later you don't recognize it for what it was back then.
@@losttango - that’s the way things were back then. Who needed a 20 minute drum solo? I endured “Moby Dick” when I saw Led Zeppelin in Aug ‘71. It may be sacrilege to say that about Bonham (and I was a drummer back then!). Also, during that was an extended violin-bow solo by Page. I’m afraid it did nothing for me at the time. It’s what bands did “back in the day.”
The film crew must have been fans/friends of Skip Batten. Meanwhile, the real creative energy here is Clarence White's and a little Mcguinn. But the cameraman can't seem to find them. Pity.
Michael, a correction if you don't mind...the color version of the "Playboy After Dark" series shot in a soundstage at CBS Television City, if I remember correctly. There is no "packed house." The people you see dancing in front of the band were either friends of Hefner's or paid extras or both. It was a very small group of people, shot in such a way as to make it appear to be a larger crowd.
Not a Byrd's concert but September 23, 1970 - The Byrds take part in the filming of “Welcome To The Fillmore, ” a Bill Graham’s project at The Fillmore East on Second Avenue near East 6th in New-York City
@@albiefraser4057 yes when I went there live they did more songs Lay Lady Lay was new and some older ones it was THE BYRDS and PROCOL HARUM THE KINKS didn't perform because they had a fight the night before
I don’t know about the ‘best’ that’s debatable . But I think they easily the most cooking lineup they ever had . Clarence with that rhythm section? Damn !!
Maybe the best band in terms of instrumental ability, but it couldn't have been the best in terms of vocals, especially without Crosby. These guys here were adequate vocally, but if they had sang on the studio versions, I seriously doubt if they'd have sounded as perfect vocally as the original Byrds. Crosby's high harmonies were special and generally flawless. The lead vocals were likely double tracked for extra fulness. Don't know about Crosby's, but his vocals probably were too. Double tracking (singing the same part twice) was a thing then, perhaps because the Beatles did it. Often one could hear on Beatles tracks two parts when the phrasing slightly differed. The second track was often just under the original track in term of volume.
Too bad the director didn't know Clarence White was onstage, at least judging from this footage. He plays a cool run beginning at 9:00. Very idiosyncratic electric player--his straight country/acoustic style dodges here and there, but to my ear is more structured than on the Tele. His tone and attack here are fascinating; I just wish more of the gig was available. White was a major, major talent. He probably would have broken out with more exposure in the pop market. (If he wanted to.) Master stroke by McGuinn bringing him aboard Byrds Mark II.
Clarence White is buried a 1/2 mile down the street, here at Joshua Memorial Cemetery in Lancaster, CA. Never forget the night he was hit by a drunk driver pulling into the parking lot of BJ's Honky Tonk Palmdale. A "tragedy" is an understatement!
The LP version with McGuinn, Hillman, Crosby, and Clarke was a nuanced, exciting 8 Miles High. This group engages in a standard jam. It's OK as far as it goes, but it not the Byrds I knew. Except for the presence of McGuinn, it wasn't the Byrds at all.
man he used to do some great bookings. not just that; you could afford to go even though you didn't have much money. always double and ..were there triple feature shows? pretty much l remember two (really great) bands per show.
I must respectfully disagree. I saw the final iteration of the Byrds (Whose music I continue to love) at the Capitol Theatre in Passaic N.J. Opening act was called Tranquility and they were twice the band the Byrds were, at least on that night. I had expected more from the Byrds. Excrement occurs.
What Byrds are you talking about? This video features only one of the original band--Roger (nee Jim) McGuinn. The first iteration of the band was known for sloppy live performances, so calling them "tight" is nonsense. I love the band for what it produced on record until roughly the time of "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" when the band's composition started changing more radically. But this version of the band with Clarence White was probably much "tighter" than the original group, for what that's worth. I just don't think it's right to call it The Byrds.
Tim Jahns Latter day Byrds were great. Gene Parsons a big improvement over Michael Clarke on drums and I give the nod to Skip Battin over Chris Hillman on bass.
I'm somewhere in that crowd. Could never forget that rendition of 8 Miles High - seriously, like ten minutes of jamming, with no lyrics, and the whole band coked up the wazoo. Oh well, maybe I was just too young to appreciate it.
live isn't going to sound like the recording very often. and this is an almost completely different band. The original band didn't really have a lead guitarist per se like Clarence White in this version of the band. I like the record better too but that's for lots of reasons.
Too bad this isn't the full concert. At least its 2 great songs. Gene Parsons looks a lot like a 1976 Neil Peart. 😆 And the bow tie guy, what a trip he's on.
I want his high hats and ride. Keep the rest. His drums sound like shit. He has zero hand and wrist movement. All elbow and shoulder. Inefficient and you lose speed and power.
Virginia Addis: I have absolutely no idea what you’re trying to say lol. Are you calling me a wanna-be? A wanna-be what? Is today’s music children’s music? What does that even mean? Are you belittling the next 3 generations music? Mighty close minded if so. The phantom lol? Wtf? Are you ok?
No Crosby to argue with or gum up the works. What a stick in the mud he was and still is. He actually said Jim Morrison and the Doors are nothing and he doesn’t recognize Jack White either. What a jerk!
Richard, it's not the camera operator's doing; it's the direct fault of the director and the fact that there wasn't a raised stage so the musicians could be adequately covered.
Apparently the cameraman thinks the bass player is the star attraction... It seems the bass player agrees judging by how much he overplays on Eight Miles High...
I used to think The Doobie Bros. did something a LITTLE different from the Byrds hit of two years earlier until i heard the LIVE Byrds version. McGuinn got totally ripped off except for the fact that no one in The Doobies could play like Clarence.
Never heard of any full concert being 16 minutes and 17 seconds, this must be Alvin and the chipmunks version featuring Alvin Lee guest appearance he's super fast lead guitarist 😊✌️♥️
Well it is the 1970s. Yes Digital was yet to come for all you Twitter Facebook generation but good ol film gave a real rich look that video & digital cant. Film is best for me
I think I was there that night. One problem with going to the Fillmore is that no matter what you did there was going to be a bowtie sunglass guy dancing in the seat right in front of you. The alternative to that was the tambourine shaking girl joining in as if she were a band member. I think this still goes on, but I haven’t been to a concert in years - because of them.
I don't know anything about rock or music history, but I'm surprised they are playing for such a small audience. I thought by 1970 they were so famous they'd be playing in a stadium, right? Also I wonder how they made it if such a small venue. I thought like other rock stars they became millionaires. Is that true? Really though some portion of the band was touring in about 2002 and played for a festival on the Iron Range in Minnesota. I met the bass player. He said he was playing with The Byrds since 1969 and looks kind of like the guy in the film. He said he owns a hobby farm in Oregon and whenever called to play he reemerges. A guy, not Roger McGuinn, said he also played with The Byrds at their peak. So two original players then. I went to the hotel bar/restaurant where they were staying. They were all easy going down to earth people. The drummer, not the original, was so good at piano, he played the lounge's grand piano. We all sang not Byrds stuff but Beatles, Crosby - Stills... Another new Byrd member grabbed his acoustic guitar. All four sang by then and did a really great version of "Don't Let Me Down", well, great versions of everything ha! It was the greatest time until 1 or 2AM when the security guard nicely told everyone they had to quit. It was well beyond closing time. I couldn't believe it when they invited me to a special gathering at a small rural bar I think called, "Popeye's", or something like that, where nearby they all stayed at a friend's cabin on a lake near Detroit Lakes MN. People came with original Byrds albums from the Sixties and two of the original guys autographed them. I could hardly believe I was there kind of a feeling. One of the originals... forgot his name, even gave the bar/restaurant owner my name to let me in. It was a packed crowd and they played the old classics and new music they'd written. Thanks to whomever created this video!
Great stuff, MWJ! They sold more albums from 1965-'67 than at any other time … well-loved all along but nowhere near the commercial success that the Doobies, Eagles, CSN and other bands that came along a half-decade or more after them enjoyed (no justice).
@@McChazm Hi! Thanks for your informative response. I remember an old Bob Dylan quote where he said of any band he wished he played with it would be the Byrds. The one I talked to the most was really interested in a story I was writing in screenplay form. He said he wanted to write a script too... I think it was Sci-Fi. We talked at the bar for quite a while, and no big ego at all. That Iron Range fest was in about 1996 and really if two of them were originals, at least from 1969, then they wouldn't be playing like they were, at a small venue, if they were millionaires, plus joining the band after their peak you mention '65 - '67. The Letterman were there too, and only one of the four was original, yet they joked about how fans like to try to remember who was who and they said all through the Letterman's history there were changes in group members. They had serious fans who followed them on their tour too. Bob Dylan played in Duluth and for only $25 a ticket in 1999. He lowered the price maybe because Duluth area being so economically depressed. Some fans, a guy and his lady, dressed in expensive black leather outfits, said they followed them all over Europe on their tour. They said the tickets in Vegas were $150! I met 3 guys who weren't "rich" at all, worked for a golf course in Ireland, saved their money, and were following Dylan's tour then too!
I saw the Byrds w/ Michael Clark and Gene Clark, one was the drummer and the other guitar. They had Rick Roberts, from FireFall ('That's a Strange Way to Tell Me You Love Me') which they played. Blondie Chapman was in the band too and they played Sloop John B (from his time with the Beach Boys, at least that's how it was presented.) The Byrds songs were wonderful with all the leads and harmonies. It was an earlier tour, a super group of sorts and I enjoyed it very much.
It sounds to me like you met John York, who was a Byrd for two albums in 1969. The bassist here was suffering from Alzheimer's by 2002 and died in 2003. Stadiums were not played at very commonly in 1970. Even at their peak in 1965, the Byrds played in many small venues. Based on the description you provided, I honestly don't think you met any of the original 1964 members in that incident.
@@WelshKnight1066 Hi! Thanks for well informed response! Wasn't Roger with them still in 1969? One guy said he was original and I think his name was Terry, but forgot. We visited a long time about screenplays as he was writing one and I had written several. Maybe by "original" he meant since the late Sixties. They sounded very good and some there with original albums to autograph... but like you say they broke up in 1965. So Roger just soloed ever since 1965 or maybe returned for special anniversary like performances? They played the first concert in my area at a festival and stayed in the hotel I mentioned in Hibbing and that's where they jammed in the bar/lounge at I think the "Park Hotel" until 2AM even beyond closing. I car-camped when they played at "Popeye's" in Detroit Lakes, MN they said they had an old friend who owned a cabin on a lake near there. Wow, so none of them were original. They played at the "Iron Gate" festival in Chisolm, MN I think it was called back when I lived near there.
Good gracious Lord, who knew the Byrds Bass player could rock. I like that didn't even sing the song 8 miles high and the crowd went ka Ray zee! Too cool.
I was at this concert! Delaney and Bonnie opened for the Byrd's, and I thought it should have been the other way around! I was a fan of the Byrd's, but Delaney and Bonnie BLEW ME AWAY! David Crosby was my favorite Byrd, and he had already flown the coop!
Let’s see if I got this right; alcohol and whatever else took Gene Clark’s life, then the booze killed Mike Clarke by destroying his liver, then David ‘s liver gave out but a transplant saved him. The Byrds never really had a chance with all that going on.
Was this broadcast on September 23, 1970, or recorded that night? I only ask because I saw the Byrds, with the Flying Burrito Brothers opening, on September 24, 1970. I know it's not impossible, but it seems a stretch. That show is partially available on Wolfgang's Vault.
I love the original Byrds but to be honest in terms of pure musicianship this lineup is unmatchable. Clarence White is a legend and Gene Parsons is far superior to Michael Clarke who was a very bad drummer.
Michael Gibson I agree. Clarke’s drumming is very simple, but he’s one of my favorite drummers. I personally love his drumming on The Flying burrito bros. 2nd album. I think Gram Parsons dubbed him the King of 4/4.
Nothing against the bass player but I was thinking I'd get to see at least some of McGuinn's finger work on those crazy leads he does on 8 Miles High - but no always back to the bass player, maybe the cameraman has a crush on him
