The Byrds
American rock band The Byrds, also recognized by a majority of their fans and music lovers as the LA Rockers, emerged in 1964 setting the pace for what would soon become known as the folk-rock genre.
One very distinct aspect of this American band was the history of its three founding members. Each member of the group had a background in folk music and had played as folk musicians long before forming their trio. Thus, they were very influential and introduced unique compositions of harmonization and guitar string formations that have over the years been imitated by many artists.
The Byrds have earned for themselvesthe description of being one of the most influential bands in the era of folk-rock.
The career of the band began with the group taking inspiration from some music legends who took part in the British Invasion. Motivated by the likes of the Beatles, they continued to blend the folk-rock genre with their own version of raga rock and psychedelic rock.
By the band’s sixth album release, they had contributed massively to the growth of country-rock music. Their musical style was a blend of the following genres:
- folk-pop
- country-rock
- psychedelic
- contemporary Pop
Original Members of The Byrds
The band experienced some drastic line-up changes throughout the span of their music career. The original line-up consisted of lead guitarist and Moog synthesizer James Roger McGuinn (Roger McGuinn) and the following:
- rhythm guitarist, tambourine player, and backing vocalist Harold Eugene (Gene Clark)
- bass and, rhythm guitarist Christopher Hillman (Chris Hillman)
- rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist David Van Cortlandt Crosby (David Crosby)
- drummer Michael James Dick (Michael Clarke)
Major Accomplishments
The Byrds earned their name as one of the most influential bands of the former and present era because of the inspiring and delightful music they released. The group released twelve studio albums, three live albums, forty-seven compilation albums, twenty-nine singles, and six EPs.
The band’s hit single Mr. Tambourine Man was the first pure folk-rock song to be released. It peaked at number 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. By June 1965, the album had reached No. 1 in the United States.
They were nominated for the Grammy Award for the Best New Artist in 1965. They also earned multiple Grammy Hall of Fame Awards for the following albums:
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- Eight Miles High
- Sweetheart of the Rodeo
- Turn! Turn! Turn!
The Byrds were inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.
Interesting Facts about The Byrds
There were some very interesting incidents that took place in the life of the pacesetters of folk pop. Some of these are listed below:
The LA Rockers disbanded twice in their career until their final break up in the year 2000.
The band was formerly known as Jet Set.
Many of the band’s songs were covers of American musician Robert Allen Zimmerman (Bob Dylan). For example, the band’s first hit Mr. Tambourine Man was not an original but a cover of Dylan’s famous song of the same name.
Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman drove all the way to Crosby’s house to fire him.
Gene Clark quit the band in 1967, rejoined and quit again after three weeks.
Many of the band members who quit either went on to pursue successful solo projects or join other bands such as Clark & Hillman and Desert Rose Band.
Roger McGuinn solely rebuilt and disbanded a line-up he created in 1968.
Former band member Ingram Cecil Connor III, also known as Gram Parsons, refused to play in South Africa when their album Sweetheart of the Rodeo had begun to make headway commercially.
Though Parsons played an important role in the band’s successful album, Sweetheart of the Rodeo, he had some personal issues and left the band immediately after the album was released.
The Sweetheart of the Rodeo album caused them to earn recognition as the pioneers of Country Rock.
The Byrds were active for 12 years between 1964 and 2000.
Despite the credit they got for their influences and contribution to folk-rock and country-rock, they did not earn as many awards and nominations.
Brief Conclusion
While this rock band was influenced greatly by acts in the British Invasion, they fought hard to promote American pop music. Their influence has grown increasingly, producing other great artists and bands such as the Big Star, the Smiths, Eagles, amongst others.
This group exhibited very resilient efforts in their musical journey. It was no surprise that they earned recognition as one of the few bands whose acts were followed closely and consistently by their fans and critics alike. The Byrds performed together for the last time in 2000. So far, some of its existing members have been working on collaborating to produce new material even as solo acts.
Famous Songs by The Byrds
The Byrds
- “(Is This) My Destiny”
- “5D (Fifth Dimension)”
- “All I Really Want to Do”
- “America’s Great National Pastime”
- “Artificial Energy”
- “Bad Night at the Whiskey”
- “Ballad of Easy Rider”
- “Captain Soul”
- “Change Is Now”
- “Chestnut Mare”
- “Child of the Universe”
- “Citizen Kane”
- “Cowgirl in the Sand”
- “Don’t Be Long”
- “Don’t Make Waves”
- “Drug Store Truck Drivin’ Man”
- “Eight Miles High”
- “Everybody’s Been Burned”
- “Farther Along”
- “For Free”
- “Full Circle”
- “Glory, Glory”
- “Goin’ Back”
- “Have You Seen Her Face”
- “I Am a Pilgrim”
- “I Knew I’d Want You”
- “I Trust (Everything Is Gonna Work Out Alright)”
- “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better”
- “It Won’t Be Wrong”
- “It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue”
- “Jesus Is Just Alright”
- “Just a Season”
- “Lady Friend”
- “Lay Lady Lay”
- “Long Live the King”
- “Mr. Spaceman”
- “Mr. Tambourine Man”
- “My Back Pages”
- “Oil in My Lamp”
- “Old Blue”
- “Old John Robertson”
- “Please Let Me Love You”
- “Pretty Boy Floyd”
- “Renaissance Fair”
- “Set You Free This Time”
- “She Don’t Care About Time”
- “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star”
- “Things Will Be Better”
- “Turn! Turn! Turn!”
- “Wasn’t Born to Follow”
- “What’s Happening?!?!”
- “Why”
- “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere”
