The Byrds are an American band formed in 1964. The composition of the group changed several times. But today the band is associated with the likes of Roger McGinn, David Crosby and Gene Clark.
The band is known for cover versions of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man and My Back Pages, Pete Seeger Turn! Turn! Turn! But the group's musical collection is not without its own hits. What are the tracks worth: I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better, Eight Miles High. Also: So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star.
This is one of the most influential bands of the mid-1960s. It is interesting that at first the musicians created compositions in the folk-rock style. Later they changed their direction towards space rock and psychedelic rock. The Sweetheart of the Rodeo collection stood out from the rest of the works, as country-rock notes are clearly audible in it.
In the early 1990s, the American band was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The group was included in the list of 50 greatest performers in 2004 (according to Rolling Stone magazine). The Byrds took the honorable 45th position.
The history of the creation and composition of The Byrds
It all started in 1964. The team was created by promising musicians: Roger McGinn, David Crosby and Gene Clark. Initially, the trio performed under the creative pseudonym The Beefeaters.
The guys were inspired by the tracks of Bob Dylan and The Beatles. After several trial performances, a name appeared, which later became known to millions of music lovers. The musicians began performing as The Byrds.
The new name gave the trio "wings". The pseudonym reflected the musicians' genuine interest in aviation. Aviation themes became the basis of their early work.
Soon new members joined the team. We are talking about bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke. The latter drummed on cardboard boxes for the first time. The guys did not have the means to purchase musical instruments.
Debut single released by The Birds
In 1965, the debut single was presented. The band recorded the first track on Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man. The song took on a completely new sound. And the changes made painted the composition!
The musicians overdubbed the discordant strumming of a twelve-string guitar and vocal harmonies in the style of the Beach Boys. It was the first trackfolk rock. In a short period, he took the 1st position of the sales charts. Serious music critics started talking about The Byrds.
In the same year, the musicians expanded their discography with the first album, Mr. Tambourine Man. The debut album is a mix, it includes both own tracks and cover versions.
The album sold out in significant numbers. Such success inspired not only the musicians, but also the record company. She demanded that another collection be released before the end of the year.
Already in December, a new album appeared on the shelves of music stores. Released as a single, Pete Seeger's Turn! Turn! Turn!, which featured Old Testament quotes, brought The Byrds back to number one on the Billboard Hot 1.
Peak popularity of The Byrds
In 1966, the team was the most successful and popular. The musicians went to conquer the London music lovers. During this time period, Clark wrote the lyrics to the popular track Eight Miles High. Interestingly, this composition went down in history as the first masterpiece of psychedelic rock.
Many considered the track a little strange. And only a few have heard the influence of Indian music. Most music lovers attributed the mysteriousness of words and music to narcotic dope. Eight Miles High was banned for a long time on many radio stations in the United States of America and Europe. The accompanying compilation Fifth Dimension showed more modest sales figures than its predecessors.
Soon Gene Clark decided to leave the band. Due to the musician's decision, the rest of the band members were amazed. Gene wrote most of the songs for the team.
Some time later, Jin returned to the group, but only lasted there for three weeks. Panic attacks during flights on an airplane played a cruel joke on the musician. His presence in the team was impossible.
In 1967, the group's discography was replenished with the fourth studio album Younger Than Yesterday. The record, according to fans, let it down a bit. Several tracks were weak.
This period is characterized by a struggle for supremacy. David Crosby was trying to pull the blanket over himself. David's behavior in the rest of the group caused shock and rejection. For example, he demanded at the Monterey Festival that LSD be given to all women and children.
Breakup of The Byrds
Due to internal disagreements, the team left Crosby. Both fans and band members did not really notice his departure from the group. Actually, then they presented the concept album The Notorious Byrd Brothers. This collection is considered by many critics to be one of the strongest works of The Byrds.
Crosby's place was taken by musician Graham Parsons, the closest friend of Keith Richards from The Rolling Stones. Under the influence of Keith, the musicians joined a new wave of country rock. By the way, this was the first rock band to perform in Nashville, the capital of country music.
Soon the band's discography was replenished with another studio album, Sweetheart at the Rodeo. The album was very well received by the fans. Under pressure from the label, Parsons' vocals were erased from the tracks of the collection, and Graham hastily left the band.
After the departure of the "gold line-up" in the mid-1960s, The Byrds became a de facto solo project. Then there were compositions written by McGuinn. In 1969, McGuinn, teaming up with Gene Clark, recorded two compositions under his own name for the soundtrack to the cult film Easy Rider.
One of the tracks Ballad of Easy Rider was later re-recorded by The Byrds. This track gave the name to the new collection. The band's popularity was rapidly declining. None of the early 1970s tracks repeated the success of the previous tracks.
Attempts to revive the Birds group
In 1973, the so-called "golden line-up" of The Byrds tried to revive the band's life. These attempts were unsuccessful. The group was disbanded, this time for good.
Turns out it's not over yet. In 1994, Battin and Terry Rogers resurrected the band. However, now the musicians performed under the pseudonym Byrds Celebration. Two new musicians joined the band: Scott Nienhaus and Gene Parsons.
Jin was only enough for one tour. The musician left the group. His place was taken by Vinnie Barranco, later replaced by Tim Politt. Battin is the last person to have anything to do with the original lineup of The Byrds. However, this "veteran" left the group in 1997 due to health problems.
Battin was replaced by Curtis. In the early 2000s, Crosby bought the Byrds trademark. But they continue to perform under the pseudonym Younger Than Yesterday - a Tribute to the Byrds.
