The Byrds (original) (raw)

The Byrds were an American folk/country rock group lasting from 1964 until 1973. Created in Los Angeles, California by Roger McGuinn, the other founder group members were Gene Clark, David Crosby, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke. They were managed by Jim Dickson. They began as acoustic rock, but moved onto electric guitars, pioneering a twangy style of guitar music known as "jangle rock", which influenced many other artists, from The Beatles to Tom Petty; they also ventured into Moog, before moving into country following a membership change. The group's fame peaked in 1965-67, when they had three major hit songs - a Dylan cover Mr. Tambourine Man, Turn! Turn! Turn! (a controversial Pete Seeger song based on the book of Ecclesiastes which ended with a plea for peace), and Eight Miles High.

Gene Clark left in March 1966, David Crosby left in late 1967 and Chris Hillman in 1968. New members were Gram Parsons, Kevin Kelley, Clarence White and Skip Battin. Clark, Crosby and Hillman all briefly rejoined in late 1972 for the reunion album Byrds before the group was 'officially' dissolved by McGuinn, who owned the name, in February 1973.

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