The Byrds facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Byrds
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The Byrds in 1970
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Genres | Folk rock, country rock, psychedelic rock, pop music |
| Years active | 1964–1973; 1989-1991; 2000 |
| Labels | Columbia |
| Past members | Roger McGuinn Gene Clark David Crosby Chris Hillman Michael Clarke Kevin Kelley Gram Parsons Clarence White Gene Parsons John York Skip Battin John Guerin |
The Byrds were a popular folk rock band, from California. Their members included Jim McGuinn (who later changed his name to Roger), David Crosby, Gene Clark, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke. Later band members included Gram Parsons, Clarence White, and Gene Parsons.
The Byrds pioneered folk rock, a blend of folk music with rock and roll. Many of their songs were remakes of Bob Dylan's songs, such as "Mr. Tambourine Man", which was their first hit in 1965. They recorded a bright, uplifting version of "Turn, Turn, Turn", which had been adapted by Pete Seeger from Ecclesiastes in the Bible. Other songs were written by band members.
The Byrds recorded "So You Wanna Be a Rock'N'Roll Star?" about the Monkees, not liking the star-making machinery that made the Monkees famous overnight. McGuinn later said the song was about the pop music business, not the Monkees. They softened their opinions, though, once they'd met the band and saw they had real talent. Members of the Byrds played on Monkees recording sessions, and the later band Crosby, Stills & Nash was formed partly from meetings at Peter Tork's house.
One Byrds song, "You Showed Me", became a hit for The Turtles late in 1968. The Byrds's lineup changed many times, and after the last new lineup disbanded in 1972, the original members reunited to record an album, titled Byrds.
Discography
- Mr. Tambourine Man
- Turn! Turn! Turn!
- Fifth Dimension
- Younger Than Yesterday
- The Notorious Byrd Brothers
- Sweetheart of the Rodeo
- Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde
- Ballad of Easy Rider
- (Untitled)
- Byrdmaniax
- Farther Along
- Byrds
Images for kids
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A Rickenbacker 360 12-string guitar similar to the one used by Jim McGuinn in 1964 and 1965. By 1966, McGuinn had transitioned to playing the three pickup 370/12 model.
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Producer Terry Melcher (left) in the recording studio with Gene Clark (center) and David Crosby (right). Melcher brought in session musicians to play on the "Mr. Tambourine Man" single because he felt that the Byrds hadn't yet gelled musically.
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Clarence White and Roger McGuinn on stage during the Byrds' September 9, 1972 appearance at Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri.
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Following his dismissal from the band in 1967, David Crosby (pictured in 1976) was critical of Roger McGuinn's decision to recruit new band members, while continuing to use the Byrds name.
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McGuinn performing in 2009. Despite Hillman and Crosby's interest in future Byrds reunions, McGuinn remains reluctant to reform the band.
See also
In Spanish: The Byrds para niños
