History of THE BYRDS part two |
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 4 ต.ค. 2024
- Part Two of the History of the Byrds continues with their foray from folk-rock to raga rock and psychedelic rock on three key albums: Fifth Dimension, Younger Than Yesterday, and The Notorious Byrd Brothers. Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, and Chris Hillman showcase their talents in this multi-part series. This also covers the departure and re-appearance of Gene Clark and their performance at the Monterrey Pop Festival. Parts 3-4 are coming!
The Byrds, "Eight Miles High", the Gavin Report, and Media Censorship of Alleged 'Drug Songs' in 1966 1966: An Assessment by Mark Teehan: bit.ly/3Lqzb3E
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I met Roger McGuinn in the late 80's we ate BBQ at Willie Nelson's 9 hole golf course. He was a really nice guy , very friendly unlike famous people I have met before.
Notice how every time you’d say “the problem with this was…”, “this was fine until…” the next words invariably are David Crosby. I like Crosby, I really do, but he must have been something else to work with. I love each of these albums-Eight Miles High is an epic imo and Hillman’s contributions to Younger Than Yesterday are incredible! I also really like the sequencing of Goin’ Back, Natural Harmony and Wasn’t Born to Follow on Notorius!
@Philos Johnson He still is to this day.
@@robgronotte1 But it's always by his own admission.
I also really enjoy that four-song sequencing with Draft Morning included between Natural Harmony and Wasn't Born to Follow.
@@rdwlaw Absolutely-can’t believe I forgot Draft Morning!
Yuuuug
I always loved the music of the Byrds. I was at the Magic Mountain Festival, but not at Monterey. I saw The Byrds at the Fillmore and Crosby kept forgetting lyrics. McQuinn and Hillman glared at him most of the set. The next time I saw The Byrds at the Fillmore, they were a trio.
Wow, I would have loved to be at Magic Mountain. It looks so beautiful. You really saw them in their heyday. The didn't play too many gigs as a trio! What a treat to see all those shows, Dennis. Thanks for sharing.
I'm sure Dennis, David was on some mind altering drugs or something of that nature...
yet his contribution to the band can not be overlooked...he had a great Harmonizing
voice which made the band sound like angels.🎤🎶🎸🎸🎸🥁
The Byrds FOREVERMORE.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Your correct about that. The Byrds didn't play much as a trio. Chris Hillman really had to step up and fill that void between McQuinn and Michael Clarke. Interestingly, they played louder than I had ever heard them play before, because they no longer had that lush 3 and 4 part harmony sound. It was an almost Cream/Jimi Hendrix Experience sounding version of The Byrds. Ironically, it worked because of McQuinn's ability as a guitarist. It was a good concert and the audience was not disappointed. The other two acts on the bill were Mike Bloomfields's Electric Flag and B.B. King. Promoter Bill Graham's shows were always very eclectic.
@@dennisloren1568 Very interesting. I think I've seen that concert poster with B.B. King and Electric Flag. Stay tuned for part 3 & 4 coming soon!
Still have my Magic Mountain tickets, one of the best outdoor concerts ever. Saw the Byrds too, didn't Hugh Masakela sit in on a song.
"Younger Than Yesterday" has always been my favorite Byrds album.
When I first heard Eight Miles High in 1980 it literally changed my life. Indescribably amazing track. I'm from Glasgow in Scotland and you have no idea how inspiring and uplifting the Byrds were in our dreary "rain grey town" in that decade. Thank you for this doco and thank you to the Byrds for creating such aural beauty in the world.
Their very best track for my $. Incorporates the jangle of their early sound and adds the Coltrane influence, plus beautiful harmonies and great storytelling lyrics plus a haunting melody. Top notch. Should've been #1 everywhere.
Good to know that the BYRDS cheered up your life - And still can as you continue to play their recordings - CHEERS MATE from Hollywood Joe -
5th Dimension is simply a masterwork. Stunningly recorded, almost unbelievable composition, and guitar playing to die for.
The Beatles we're enamored with the Byrds as well...I heard George and Paul say so in long ago interviews.
Also, would love if you’d cover Gene Clark’s solo career. There is NO OTHER like him!
I will continue to track Gene Clark's post Byrd career in parts 3 & 4 as he kept collaborating with them. I will also (eventually) cover his work in my piece I plan for the Dillards.
I remember he reunited with some of the band with McGuinn Hillman and Clark
@@michaelrochester48 Indeed, and that was good stuff too!
I see what you did there! (BTW-I covered “No Other” at church early last year… Gene was a terrific songwriter!)
@@truethought62 That’s cool! Do you have a video of your performance?
So many great personalities, recordings, performances, styles, evolutions, dimensions (more than just five!!!) I LOVE THEM! Them Byrds fly, man!
Again, really well researched, presented and edited.
Thanks Joe! I appreciate the warm comment.
That's what I was about to write.
Love this. The Notorious Byrd Brothers was simply the best album that The Byrds ever produced!
Eight Miles High remains one of my all time favorite songs! It is simply a masterpiece!
Considering that The Byrds went through such an extensive shift in lineup changes during their nine-year career from 1964-1973, the band still produced some outstanding music every step of the way no matter who was in the group at any given time. That shows real talent all the way through.
They were incredibly good. One of the few American bands of the time that could standup there with the British bands. They really went way past POP . I loved YOUNGER THAN YESTERDAY.
Its hard not to love YOUNGER THAN YESTERDAY.
Loved the Byrds, but what a quandary to be in with Crosby. The only thing harder than having him in your band was NOT having him in your band.
Nah, I think it was *harder* having him in. Without him, you don't have to worry about people getting punched, and long diatribes onstage.
@augustusbetucius2931 Can't argue that, but he was an essential part of their synergy in the early days, I believe.
David Crosby was at his most obnoxious period at this time. He later referred to himself as a “solid gold asshole.”
I See You was covered by Yes in their early days when Peter Banks was still on guitar. It began as an extended jam during their live shows that could go upwards of twenty minutes, they then cut it down to six minutes and put on their first album from 1969.
Tomorrow covered "Why" as well.
Brilliant version too.. like the whole LP.
@@CaptainCharismaY2J As did the Action..
These videos are just fantastic! I really wish Gene Clark had found a way to hang in there. He was such a gifted songwriter.
Fifth Dimension is my favorite Byrds album; I won't argue with those who find a certain lack of cohesiveness to the band's third offering, but it was undoubtedly the most adventurous - a leap forward, creatively-speaking, from the previous two releases. "Eight Miles High" is indeed deserving of its many accolades. I don't mind "The Lear Jet Song," but concur with Matt on "Hey Joe" - that's a throwaway track, and the only one on the album I don't care for. Younger Than Yesterday and The Notorious Byrd Brothers are also excellent.
Indeed, things would take yet another interesting turn after this. Can't wait for the next part!
Fifth Dimension is my favorite Byrds album too. A classic!
Yeah, Crosby was the only member of the band who wanted to record Hey Joe, since he sang lead on that track. McGuinn, Hillman, and Michael Clarke reluctantly went along with it.
most is 1000% true! however, clearly NOTORIOUS is their masterpiece--also hinted at their next phase, country
You put some words on many years of my thoughs .....Underrated gem
@@munimathbypeterfelton6251 worst song on fifth indeed
Despite the Byrds most prolific writer, Gene Clark leaving the band, the Byrds flew the highest with the Fifth Dimension, Younger Than Yesterday & Notorious Byrd Brothers albums. McGuinn, Crosby and Hillman were creating very innovative music combining folk, country, raga, jazz, psychedelia, and reinventing themselves not only with each new album but each new song. The Byrds like the Beatles will have a legacy that lives forever! Yet another great presentation!
Thanks Dennis - stay tuned for parts 3 & 4!
This Byrds series is really good, looking forward to Pt.3, they’re one of my all time favourite bands 👍
They were movers and shakers throughout the 60's.
Everything I've ever seen of Roger McGuinn in media paints a man very much laid back, good humor, an all around good guy. And aside from what tension can do in creating often times great music, it had to be a collosal chore for him and Chris Hillman to have had to deal with Crosby during this period. But as much a pain in the backside David had to have been, he left behind a record of some great tunes in this, his final period with The Byrds. As always Matt, appreciate your work here. This channel goes way beyond the record reviews I remember from Rolling Stone or Robert Christgau.
Thank you, Michael - high praise indeed!
I saw McGuinn in 2018 and he did an excellent solo show. His voice was still strong and I was impressed by his guitar playing. He told a lot of great stories and had a dry sense of humor. This wasn't long after Tom Petty died and he performed American Girl in honor of Tom.
The Byrds get 4 parts! Sounds good to me--can't wait for Chestnut Mare and the tale of Clarence on guitar. Wonderful job on Part Two!
And the sweet "Bugler".
Not forgetting "Lazy waters".
Nor "Deportee", "Just a season", "It's all over now Baby Blue" 2.0, ...
McGuinn's jingle-jangle Rickenbacker did so much to help The Byrds break into AM radio consciousness - his instincts and talent were indefatigable. I lovingly recall the feel-good mood of "Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!". The 12-string still pulls at my heart in the album "Younger Than Yesterday". And David, Gene, and Chris all brought such compelling flavors to the mix.
Your Terry Melcher-David Crosby-Charles Manson story is so goddamn funny (but I feel guilty laughing).
Mr. Crosby often provides comic relief to this history - thanks for commenting JoAnne!
I had to get out my copy of Byrd Brothers after hearing this. What a great album.
The Notorious Byrd Brothers. I remember hearing that album for the first time in Jan. 1968 and saying "Okay, now THIS is what I've been waiting to hear from the Byrds!". Great album.
"Artificial Energy" and "Wasn't Born to Follow" were great songs that carried the entire album. I was really impressed by the recording technique on "Artificial energy".
Yes, a wonderful album that I never tire of.
I love these deeper histories of the albums, players, directions of top bands like The Byrds. They certainly had many phases in their long run.
The band went through so many changes in direction that it was hard to follow their path if you were in a garage band and wanted to play some of their stuff. To their credit they presented the works they chose to, even if it wasn't "market friendly." But the bottom line with the Byrds (during this period) was it was just overwhelmed with talent and egos just kept tearing them up. And now Matt, you'll take us to the biggest shift in their music in part 3. (thanks)
morning
I love the Byrds early singles but IMO the Notorious Byrd Brothers was their best album. I played it a million times when it came out.
Great history of this band!
Another great documentary! You have a real gift.
Thank you, Tom!
Notorious has always been my favorite sixties album.
notorious is my all-time favorite album and i could argue that it should be considered a top-10 album of the '60s. every single song is well-thought-out - no filler whatsoever. even the bonus tracks and demos, like flight 713 or bound to fall are fantastic! cowboy space jazz at its finest!
Excellent, Matt. As usual. Can't wait for part three.
very interesting about the Byrds.Great band exept for Crosby
Excellent tutorial! really hits hard on my memory. When my father heard "8 Miles High" He exclaimed" Another Drug song. I had to listen at a friends house!
"C.T.A.-102" was GREAT. Bite your tongue, Earth man.
Matt, another excellent installment on this series about the Byrds…I think you left off part two at the perfect moment, part three will begin with their country phase and “sweetheart of the rodeo”…Looking forward to it!
Great entertainment. Thank you.
Loving this! As much as I think I know the Byrds' history, you always add some new detail or perspective. You make a good point about Crosby adding an edge to their music and live shows. It's a shame he was so difficult to work with. It's the height of irony that he went on to become so successful with CSN/CSNY while the Byrds never recaptured their early glory.
Yeah, I wonder if they would've gone more towards jazz if Crosby had stayed. Crosby never really did country. Thanks for commenting, Greg!
@@popgoesthe60s52 Really tough situation. Crosby to me was sort of catalyst that gave the band their edge. Most of my favorite songs of the Byrds are his. They weren't the same after Crosby left and would have loved to have seen how they would have developed with him as it seems "Notorious.." was just the start of a 3rd phase (But not "Sweetheart..."). At the same time Crosby was close to impossible to be around. Just one small example, he refused to record "Going Back" with the band for no real good reason, they did an amazing job with it! McGuinn/Hillman weren't exactly easy either so gives you an idea how tough it was with Crosby. But then we might not have had CSN/Y so...It is what it is.
The back story history of the Byrds is fascinating to me and, of course, being a teenage in the 1960s, I was totally unaware of the "personnel" issues the band had with each other.
Great Byrds album 🎤🎶🎸🎸🎸🥁
Thanks Matt, for another very enjoyable segment. Looking forward to the other 2.
Thank you Martin! Stay tuned!
Another great video Matt covering my favourite period of The Byrds.
The "Crosby/Manson" comment from Terry Melcher is a classic rock-n-roll quote! Love it! David Crosby was difficult to work with. But he sure wrote some beautiful music. The Bryds had some of the best harmonies of any 60s American band as well.
Great Part 2 to go along with an exceptional Part 1 sir. Outstanding work!
Thank you Michael - more to come!
The Byrds FOREVER 🎤🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🥁
loved those oblong shape sunglasses, i managed to find a pair and wore them with pride , so cool. (-:
THX so much for adding the work of Gene.
Love XXXL for the Byrds
🙏🏻
I was very happy to work his concurrent story into the Byrds narrative.
Trivia note: Hugh Masekela was introduced to the Byrds by Peter Fonda, who took credit for "discovering" him. David Crosby took special interest in Masekela, and introduced his set at the Monterey Pop Festival. Meanwhile, Peter Fonda tried to get a music career started in 1966, and recorded a partial album's worth of folk-rock songs with Crosby, McGuinn, and Masekela backing him, but he ultimately abandoned the project (one single did get released) admitting "there's nothing there". Fonda would also re-enter the Byrds' story in '69 when he needed a song for "Easy Rider", got a surly Bob Dylan to grudgingly scribble a few lines, and then got McGuinn to finish the song and record it. As per Dylan's orders, McGuinn left Dylan's name off the songwriting credit.
Not to mention Fonda & Hopper copied their looks in the film from McGuinn & Crosby.
To me, The Notorious Byrd Brothers is (after Pet Sounds) the greatest album to come out of the Untied States.
Aw crud I totally forgot about Dylan. I amend my statement to not include Dylan’s stuff because you could say several of his albums are the greatest American lps.
Agreed
I just want to tell you, when it comes to band histories you are the top TH-cam channel for me. There’s plenty of history of the Byrds all over TH-cam but YOU give the best overview around!
Thank you, Michael!
Notorious Byrd Brothers is my fav Byrds album, even more so than Sweetheart of the Rodeo. "Artificial Energy " remains my favorite Byrds song ever.
Crosby to this day is very proud of what he said at the Monterey Pop Festival! He said he is absolutely correct about the JFK assassination and if there was a conspiracy!
It sure seems like he was right based on the all that is known today.
I doubt we will ever know the real story of what happened.
This is definitely my favorite Byrds era! Great retrospective. PLAY LOUD
"Change is now" one of my favorite Byrd songs.
Thanks so much, Matt...as usual - top-shelf stuff!
Great doc. On the Byrds.
No other band had greater musical bandwidth or better harmonies.
No other.
Respect.
Thanks for watching, Nick!
Such a great episode. I absolutely love The Byrds. Everything form their first album through to The Byrds (73) is worth owning. I love all the different stages they went through and I especially love Clarence White playing on the later releases. His playing on the live 1969 Fillmore is outstanding! Cheers ✌️❤️🎸
Thanks and stay tuned for arts 3 & 4!
I loved gene Clarke's solo effort 1978 and the Byrd's reunion LP with a great version of Neil's cowboy in the sand
We have all worked with a Crosby sometimes in our lives.
I love "The Notorious Byrd Brothers". It's combination of folk and psychedelia plus the excellent production make it one of the classics of 60s pop. " Goin Back" is just beautiful. One question about Crosby- if you admit you're an assh#@e does that make you any less an assh#@e?
Admitting one is wrong is the first step in being forgiven!
@@popgoesthe60s52 True, and in Crosby's autobiography, he is very self deprecating. I think a lot of people who continually step over the line end up regretting it. I like Crosby, 'If I Could Only Remember My Name' is one of my fav albums, Jerry Garcia's pedal steel playing on 'Laughing' is sublime.
@@popgoesthe60s52 McGuinn however does not seem to have any intentions of ever playing with him again. Crosby has pretty much begged him on several occasions...According to Crosby.
Yes... 🤔
@@popgoesthe60s52 Maybe. But Graham Nash isn't about to forgive him.
Excellent Bio...."Eight Miles High" is The Byrd's ultimate masterpiece. It should have at least been in the Top Ten. The 5-D album came out before "Revolver." They are my favorite band!
Well researched and well presented...I enjoyed this series
Thank you, Mark.
Excellent documentary!
Thanks, Matt, for another fascinating 60s music history episode. The Byrds produced an amazing string of fine albums during 1965 - 1968. Why didn't the later albums sell as well as the earlier albums? ('Mr. Tambourine Man' and "Turn! Turn! Turn' charted #6 and #17 in 1965-66, while the subsequent 4 albums -- 'Fifth Dimension' (1966), 'Younger than Yesterday' (1967), 'The Notorious Byrd Brothers' (1968) and 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' (1968), charted #24, #24, #47, #77, respectively.) Arguably, these later albums were just as good as the early stuff, maybe even better in some cases. I think many fans found the frequent changes in their music style -- folk-rock, raga/psychedelic rock, country rock --- confusing at the time. Also, 1967-68 was an incredibly productive time for pop/rock music. So many great artists released some of their finest albums during this period -- Beatles, Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Jefferson Airplane, The Doors, The Kinks, Steppenwolf, The Rascals -- just to name a few. The competition for album sales must have been fierce. What a legacy!
Hello Amanda, I’ll be discussing the later albums and their drop in popularity along with the personnel changes so stay tuned!
A fine documentary but she meant why the poor chart ratings for albums and singles in THIS part of their career. That's the mystery I would have liked unlocked too. These are all-time great albums and singles historically so why didn't they sell more and chart more?
Hi Amanda, that is the great mystery of The Byrds - the mid-period where they produced some of the most incredible music that still lives on today as classic 60s yet the chart ratings and sales were not nearly as high as they should have been. Yes those other artists are incredible too but The Byrds had #1 singles already - totally established in the public mainstream eye, and remained highly commercial sonically so what was the problem? Everyone was experimenting by Younger and Notorious times, yet others did so much better. The Greatest Hits album of 1967 went top ten so I don't understand and haven't found a great reasoning as to why.
Quite right. But even a scan of what the pop charts offerred in 1969, with its incredible array and variety, as opposed to what one hears today, is telling.
Just love this i think the byrds after gene left made the best music of their career in the byrds
Part 2 was everything I'd hoped it would be. Can't wait for part 3 👍🏼
'Not sure why the Byrds got rid of Melcher'.......one word answer, I would bet, Crosby !!
“Everybody’s Been Burned” really great song in every way.
For some reason, my record collection has been growing steadily since I've been watching your videos. My wife says you're a bad influence.
You may have to take her out for more nice dinners than you are used to! God bless her.
@@popgoesthe60s52 Done that one. She'd see me coming from miles if I use it again. One of those "too soon" situations.
Outstanding. Best documentaries I’ve watched. Very engaging. Thank You!
On “The Notorious Byrd Brothers”, was the horse featured on the cover asked to replace Crosby? Probably would have been easier to deal with. 😂😂
I Dig u when you talk about the missteps
that was the real difference between the byrds and the beatles
LOVE BOTH
And think The Byrds deserves more recognition
Wonderful series on The Byrds.
Thank you, I enjoyed doing that 4-parter.
Wow.. always did well in music 🎵🎶 history back in junior high n high school and I'm so happy I hit on your Pandora's box of the now late David Crosby n others.. awesome 👍 ty.
"Notorious" is one of the very best Byrds albums they ever released. It is sadly overlooked by many Byrds fans as being some throwaway transition record or somesuch.
Notorious Byrd Brothers is easily my favorite Byrds Album. The best of the Sgt Pepper Wave. Side one always worked as a continuous piece for me; just fantastic.
This is literally my favourite youtube channel ever. There is everything that I love the most, nice storytelling, detailed information, pictures, pieces of the songs. I literally can not wait for the next episode.
Thank you for the warm compliment, Arjuna - much appreciated!
This episode covered my two favourite Byrds albums - Younger Than Yesterday and Notorious Byrd Brothers, although i am a big fan of Sweetheart Of The Rodeo. It's tempting to view David Crosby's position in The Byrds as similar to that of George Harrison's in The Beatles, both being songwriters somewhat shunted aside by the principal writers in their respective groups. Crosby was obviously a little more prepared to confront people about this! People seem to enjoy pointing out how much of an idiot he could be and he deserves this to a point but i agree with your statement Matt that he brought an energy to the band and some really challenging songs, some of which did obviously make the albums and are some of my favourites. At 80 he has enjoyed a surprising resurgence in his career which has been quite a delight to see. Rock on Dave.
Crosby’s three albums with Nash and his CSNY material is really strong. I would say he was more than vindicated.
Excellent content
Thank you, John. More to come!
It's like you live in a record shop
I saw Roger McGuinn play solo with an acoustic guitar in 1980 I do believe it was in Campbell California. And then I saw a reunion show of The Birds without David Crosby and 81 or 82 I can't remember exactly. At the keystone Palo Alto. Absolutely fantastic. Thank you for your channel. God bless and be safe.
Thanks, David!
You need to do a segment on the most underrated and overlooked band in America... Firefall. Sadly, they've been relegated to the same dustbin as another, way overlooked, band; 10cc. Both bands were major hit machines in the 70's and 80's but are now passed over because of their love songs that are now considered "passe'". Firefall came from serious beginnings that few know about, including the Byrds. This should be the next step in American rock history. I'm really looking forward to it.
Thanks.
Firefall certainly had some great players and hits. But my focus for the time being will remain on 60s bands. In the future I may venture into the 70s but my 60s list of band to do is very long and that is my priority. I appreciate the request, Nick!
Michael Clarke was in Firefall
I am really enjoying this journey; on to Part 3.
Another wonderful video, Matt. One of my top 5 Byrds' songs is Carole King's "I Wasn't Born To Follow". The harmonies, performance and production are perfected in this cut and I always wondered why it wasn't released as a single. Looking forward to part 3!
Hello Michael! Actually, "I Wasn't Born To Follow" was released as a single to capitalize on its inclusion in the Easy Rider film. It didn't chart unfortunately. That song was written specifically with the Byrds in mind. Stay tuned for parts 3 & 4!
@@popgoesthe60s52 I didn't know that it was written for the Byrds AND a single. The Carole King version I heard wasn't that good--the banjo was way too overwhelming in the mix, and the vocals were...I'm trying to be nice, typical CK. Looking forward to the next parts, Matt and thanks for the reply!
Love your content! Thank you for a thorough and well produced biography of this great band.
Thank you, Barbara!
3 of the greatest albums ever recorded. Excellent video as always. The world needs to be reminded of such fantastic music.
Thanks Stephen. I hope these video reach some potential new fans.
I've really enjoyed your little forays into the History of various bands. I was a Byrds fan from the start, also enjoyed The Buffalo Springfield, The Left Banke and many of the west coast bands, too many to mention. Even though I was totally into the British Invasion during the 60's and 70's. Thanks for the research.
Hey David - thank you for supporting the channel. More to come!
Another great one Matt, congrats. What a group, what an indelible mark on pop music history.
In my opinion, with the departure of David Crosby, ended the best Byrds' phase in their career. And if the Gene Clark's compositions were a special part of the songs from the first two albuns' sessions; the creations of David Crosby were real pearls of the period from "The Fifth Dimension'" until the "Notorious Byrd Brothers" album, along with other songs with wonderful harmonies and instrumental. I'm talking about songs like: "John Riley" (from "Fifth Dimension"), with its wonderful vocal arrangement; the jam session of Crosby's "Psychodrama city" (this composition, I thinks, talks something about the Gene Clark fear of flying); the Crosby's very beautiful song called "Everybody's been burned" (from "Younger than yesterday"); the Hillman's coutry-rock "Time between" (from "Younger than yesterday"); Crosby's "It happens each day"; the underrated and wonderful Crosby's "Lady friend" (with, in my opinion, deeply emotional lyrics); the very good vocal arrangement in the Crosby's kind of hard rock called "Tribal gathering" (from "The notorious byrd brothers"). Songs from one of the best bands from the rock's history, in my hunble opinion!
Always enjoy your very well researched and thoroughly enjoyable videos on my favourite decade of music! Thanks so much!
My pleasure, Rockin’!
Love the Younger Than Yesterday album.🎸💚
The phrase "soundtrack of our lives" may be overused but it is apropos, the music of The Byrds seemed always to be playing on someone's turntable when I was a teen. I wasn't a big fan of the Byrds, preferring bands such as Traffic, The Stones, Cream, The Beatles, etc., but listening to the Byrds now evokes more memories than the music of the afore mentioned bands. I lived through the era as part of the counterculture and I've read over 100 books about that decade, one of the things I've found to be obvious, David Crosby may have been insufferable but there's no denying that his talent was a perfect fit for the music of those times. That voice of his was inimitable, not just in harmony but as a lead singer he was absolutely amazing. No matter how many times I listen to, It Happens Each Day and Everybody's Been Burned, I'm still blown away at the range of his honeyed voice. I'm 71 now which means I was 17 in 1967, to be young is always a wonderful thing but to have been young in the 1960's was the best kind of wonderful!
Crosby was a major talent and really needed a band for him to flourish. His 3 albums with Nash in the 70s are excellent and his lone solo album of that decade is also fitting of the times. Thanks for the comment, Gene!
They are my absolute favorite and give me chills to this day. Thank you for doing these videos.
Your comment of misteps is spot on.
My favorite period of The Byrds! I have most of there albums up to 1971 . David Crosby was a hand full lol
I really enjoyed this. Small errata: Monterey (one r) California. Monterrey, Mexico.
Thank you , Eric - I appreciate it.
Heavenly harmonies and guitar in that band are so quintessentially Sixties it evokes the high tide of that decade as much as mid-term Beatles. And 30 years after the Sixties, which is what the early-Seventies was, my crowd was going to school with 72-73 gatefold albums under our arms where schoolbooks should have been and songs on transistor radios in our head when songs still colored the moods and thinking of a generation and the point is this: My generation was born to follow a depression, and the Sixties fallout was part of that ambiance for us 13-yr-olds and bled into the Seventies deeper than the recession. And in the likes of the Byrds' 'Mr Tambourine Man' and the Icarus decade summed up by 'Everybody's Been Burned' after 'Eight Miles High' crashed - - all of it was still in the air, so although none of us could have named any Byrds band members in the aftermath, the incense of the Sixties was still wafting through the culture on those songs, still current, for a while. I don;t know what the young get from those songs now, but to my old crowd they are inextricably bound up with Sixties idealism, no triumphalism in it but the poignancy of what was lost. So all these years later I can't hear any Byrds song without feeling all of that.
I think the decade of the 60s had a liveliness and fervor that continually reset the bar in a post depression era. And you make an excellent point that your generation was built to follow a depression. The lack of hardship post 1989 has added to a "soft" society which is reflected in today's music. Thanks 4 D!
Hello from Hollywood Joe -
Thanks for part 2 Matt. Throughly enjoyed this. Looking forward to part 3, and I suspect we'll be getting into "Sweetheart of the Rodeo."