LEGENDARY BAND TELLS Why Bob Dylan GAVE His Only #1 SONG to Them in the 60s | Professor of Rock
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- In an exclusive interview Roger McGuinn and David Crosby who co-founded the Byrds share the story of one of the most influential songs in history Bob Dylan’s Mr. Tambourine Man. A number one hit in the midst of the British Invasion that changed the course of music history, ramping up the Folk Rock movement and inspiriting Bob Dylan to go electric, the co-pilots of the Byrds tell us the legendary story next including an acoustic rendition of the song next…
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#60s #Rock #Story
Hey music junkies and vinyl junkies Professor of Rock always here to celebrate the greatest artists and the greatest 60s vinyl songs of all time for the music community and vinyl community.
If you’ve ever owned records, cassettes and CD’s at different times in you life or still do this is your place Subscribe below right now to be a part of our daily celebration of the rock era with exclusive stories from straight from the artists and click on our patreon link in the description to see our brand new show there.
Mr. Tambourine Man is one such song and we’ve got the story straight from the co-pilots of the rock and roll hall of fame band the Byrds. Roger McGuinn and David Crosby are going to break down this masterpiece next. The song was of course written by Bob Dylan released as the first track from the acoustic side of his 1965 album Bringing It All Back Home.
The song has been covered by a score of artists including Judy Collins, Stevie Wonder and Odetta but the Byrds version remains definitive and life changing. It went to #1 on both sides of the atlantic, it was their first single on Columbia records and the name of their debut album.
It’s a vital song for various reasons, the first being that Mr. Tambourine Man was a major influence on folk rock, Americana, jangle pop, Country ROCK and many have made arguments that this song pioneered those movements. What can’t be argued is the Byrds influence on Iconic artists who would follow like TOM PETTY and REM. This song was certainly a turning point in music. It launched The Byrds and it also convinced Dylan to "go electric," and helped jump start the folk-rock movement. the song came during that glorious time in the 60s where a respectful and friendly competition pushed music past the known limits and broke all the rules. Many bands have cited Mr Tambourine man as a game changer for them and how they approached music from then on. When you have the Beatles freaking out, you’ve done something right.
Roger McGuinn and David Crosby will relate the story of the Byrds definitive version in our interview but it’s interesting to know that Bob Dylan wrote and composed Mr. Tambourine Man in early 1964, around the same time that he wrote Chimes of Freedom another of his song that the Byrds have covered. so dylan wrote Mr. tambourine man right after he had been to Mardi gras in New Orleans. This was during a cross-country road trip he took with some friends , Dylan completed the song sometime between the middle of March and late April of that year when he came back to New York and
Poll: Two parter: What is the best Bob Dylan cover song and what is Dylan's best song overall ?
How about
Blowin’ in the Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary
All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door -name you fave cover but Guns & Roses pops to the top
my favorite would be "like a rolling stone" . Hard to choose between bob dylans and jimi hendrix versions.
Dylan wrote so many, so good. Personally, I really like his version of Mr. Tambourine Man. As for covers they are too numerous to know, but I sure have enjoyed Bill Kirchen (ex Commander Cody guitarist) doing extended and very loose renditions in his live shows.
#1, "Quinn The Eskimo", Manfred Mann. #2, "Idiot Wind".🙄🤩😎
No question really… Jimi Hendrix’ cover of All Along the Watchtower is arguably the best cover in the history of ever. That might a bit of hyperbole but it’s that good.
Best song by Dylan, for me still All Along the Watchtower.
Dude, what a feather in your cap to grab these guys. You are doing real service to music and history. Props.
Thank you my friend. Appreciate your support.
Yeah The Prof. has been pulling in these legends left and right...he's really good at his interviews...
@@ProfessorofRock Nice, I've been playing and singing mr tambourine man for years
See the new video (Turn, Turn, Turn) that shows more of those interviews. Adam reveals he is on a mission from God (channel origin story).
I agree this guy is a genius. And I love David Crosby he so real
I love the vulnerability of Rogers voice - it makes you feel so warm and safe
When a musician creates an opening riff in which the listener instantly recognizes the 57 year-old song, you know they created something magical. Bravo, Roger!
How about George Harrison’s opening chord to, A Hard Day’s Night? One stroke of the pick, and you know who it is!
Mid-July 1965. I'm in my Mom's 1964 black on yellow Dodge Dart. She's driving the family home from the beach down Park Ave in Long Beach, Long Island to our home in a town a few miles away. I'm in the back seat next to my bro. My sister's up front. I distinctly remember the exact intersection we were stopped at when onto the radio comes the iconic opening riff of Roger McGuinn's version of Mr Tambourine Man. He had my attention instantly. A few seconds later I was sitting bolt upright and demanding SILENCE from the family. Those lyrics changed me forever. I was fifteen years old.
I was born in 1965. My first complete sentence, a while later, was "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me." My mother wrote in my baby book that I sang it... and that was the first sentence I ever spoke (at least in this lifetime).
That song was/is MASSIVE.
When I was trying to grow up in London in the 60s the Beatles came on the radio followed up by the stones hey man this is something I’ve been looking for which was real loose I loved them …… it then one day I heard these other dudes playing some beautiful sounds and these unknowns become my absolute favourites the byrds totally knocked the Beatles out of my head from then on I was hooked line and sinker with the original line up they bring back some memories of my youth they have become a part of me they are superb
I'm a Dylan junky and I never knew how he comes up with the lyrics in his songs and I appreciate his imperfect voice on his mostly perfect use of words
He said in a interview he sold his soul to the devil..you can pull it up...
@tom.y9868 - That was just Dylan being Dylan- Alex Jones took it seriously for whatever reasons- It is my understanding that Bob is a Messianic Jew follower of Jesus and has taken my h abuse over the years for it until he decided to keep his head down and be cryptic
He is no longer a Christian. He believes in music.
That’s exactly how I feel.
My love and respect for Roger McGuinn is endless.
I was 16 in '65 in England, and a massive Beatles fan, but this record blew me away. I now own everything the Byrds have recorded. Thanks for posting this.
I have never heard the history of this song. David Crosby gave some serious props to Roger McGuinn. It was well deserved I think.
Yes. Crosby is notorious for ripping his ex-band mates up. Neil being one of them.
David showed some real class. Good for him
Yeah McGuinn was a great original on guitar and as a singer, but in terms of the bands success his ability as an arranger was what put them over the top - as Crosby rightly notes.
@@BangTaoBeach yeah, will sometimes Neil deserves it .
He's the only friend he has left
You struck gold with this interview.. At 71, I know it defined my generation. The times, they were changing, for better or worse.
Same here, b. 1950, and without exaggeration The Byrds changed the trajectory of my life.
Roger McGuinn has always been one of my heroes
This song is one of the handful that epitomizes the 60’s to me - there’s a mix of hope, despair and joy in it.
Thanks so much for this. Takes me to a happy place!! I am a 66 yr old grandma now and the 12 year old me remembers my brother telling me how to properly pronounce Bob Dylans name as I held the album cover with pure reverence. The years have surely flown by in the sky of diamonds.
Every single one of us is jealous of the professor of rock having a front row seat to Watching Roger McGuinn explain the creativity behind this legendary song.
That intro itself can often bring tears to my eyes. It’s also one of a small handful of songs that will forever command my full attention from beginning to end. A masterwork indeed.
Yeah- the freakin' BEATLES lifted their style for a minute. That's quite a bragging point- especially for guys that are still alive...
Well said. Totally agree 👍
Couldn't agree more.
What a freaking privilege to have all these artist playing an acoustic right in front of you Professor !!!...Strait Classics in your presence!!!....Amazing times !!!
Simply magical and transporting. Dylan, gifted like no other, the byrds, a pillar of musical journey.
Brit here who was 10 when this fantastic song was released. Probably responsible for my lifelong love of West Coast Rock etc.
Great interview as always . Your passion for the subject really comes through in everything you do
Many modern interviewers are either too sychophantic or don`t know enough about the subject to ask any meaningful questions.
You always hit the nail on the head Prof.
Long may you continue .
Mr Tambourine Man, I was just a kid when I first heard this iconic song on the radio in the mid sixties, but it blew my mind, I couldn't get it outa my head. Sixty years later, I still get a buzz everytime I hear it . brilliant lyrics and the Byrds singing is still pure magic.
Seeing Roger smiling playing that song is just one of the best things you'll see. He's never lost that passion and love for the music he's created and it was the most wonderful thing to watch. Professor, thank you so, so much for bringing this interview to us all. This is a gem to be remembered.
I always liked Roger McGuinn his singing and playing to me he was unique.
The Byrds are one of the few bands whose gear is truly a huge part of their signature sound. Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker playing defined the electrified folk sound for the era.
I like the diplomacy and simplicity of your comment. Artistically a very important player in the scheme of American music. Personally, I understand that he caused a good deal of friction in the original ensemble and his dragging the group's name and legendary status out to pasture via a slew of highly dismissable early 70's albums with a backing band was, in musical terms, both a high crime and a misdemeanor.
So true! You hit the nail on the head with your assessment. I lost it for McGuinn after dissolving the last version of the Byrds #with Clarence White. Now he's become A human jukebox of oldies and tepid folk songs, speaking for myself. 👎
When Roger played Dylan's original arrangement and then explained and played his arrangement to you it sent chills down my spine.
One of my all time favorite songs.
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
Big smile listening to Roger sing! This was great! I could cry just from missing music that was beautiful and real... as in... a human soul singing it.
Since "Mr. Tamborine Man" came out I always, always have Byrds music on hand to play. The best band ever...
Heard them at University of Pennsylvania as Mcguinn, Clark, and Hillman (post Byrds) around the early 80s but they were still fantastic. What a treat that was. Glad to have been there and heard all the hits as well as a few newer songs
This is one of my all time favorite 60's Rock songs of all times.
People say awful things about Crosby all day long, but in the past few years, he has really been generous, humble, and gracious in interviews. And there's no arguing about his talent.
Very true. He knows he’s shuffling off this mortal coil soon enough. Now is the time to bury the ego, bury the resentments, and do right by the people he knew and shared musicianship and success with in his life.
I absolutely love The Byrds and Bob Dylan equally. Quite an iconic song in and of itself for a multitude of reasons, and its history is something to appreciate.
Thank you for your support!
@@ProfessorofRock Cheers!
Never knew why they sang an abbreviated version, but the slower tempo and radio's ridiculous rules make sense. That makes the DJ's decision to play the song back to back funny and ironic.
@@lincolnmaceachern2410 I always wonder why the Byrds just didn't go into a studio some time soon after, and record "Mr Tambourine Man" in its entirety?
It would have made a fabulous B 'side' to an album, to release further along in their careers.
i.e. 'The Byrds sing Dylan' with the whole of that gorgeous and amazing song done in that magical and heart-stopping way.
I have always yearned to hear them do that....
When I was sixteen in 1965 this song changed my life, well done you for telling the truth behind this story. I am 72 now and still playing folk rock and still mad for it. Great video, thank you so much.
I LOVED where Mr. McGuinn explained how he developed the opening riff. And the Professor's humble and disarming style got Mr. Crosby to open up (I know he can be a tough nut, LOL) It's cool that the Prof. is doing this with all these legends -they are getting older, and likely won't be around for a whole lot more interviews...
It was an amazing interview! Historic stuff for sure. Thank you for support.
Mcguinn looks to be in great health, hopefully all these legends stay around quite a few more years.
@@ProfessorofRock Love this! Could you please tell us what classical composer's song Roger's guitar riff (8:14) came from when he spoke about creating the new 4:4 arrangement? Recognized but it's driving me crazy (Beethoven, Pachelbel, Mozart, Bach...?). So cool that this version of the song was influenced by it in a way. Thanks!
@@Lexi_Con It's Johann Sebastian Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."
One of my favorites by Bach, along with Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor, and Brandenburgs 2 and 3.
@@Keyspoet27 TYSM! ❤️🎶
Roger aged really well...his voice and all too, pretty chill guy. BTW...seriously the way you make these interviews and your attitude with the guests is AMAZING. Total class. THANK YOU.
So much great music in 1965 but this was a life changer. I am still in a band at the age of 72 and still include the song in our set. We can't get anywhere near the BYRDS, but audiences of all ages instantly recognise it and sing along.
I'm thankful I grew up in the 60's 70's & 80's... What a time to be Alive. Getting old sucks... I'm sure all our favs feel the same.
Getting old is better then the alternative!
They were the golden eras for sure, it's sad that music took a huge hit after the 80s
*Hey @Hawk Davison I am **_seventeen_** BUT my body is 65* (number goes higher by the years) *HTH* :-)
The swinging sixties....Went to London and had a ball of a time....Soooo lucky.
@@Mrfloydbryant , , , sure indeed ! !! 😎👍
I've always loved the Byrds version of Mr. Tambourine Man, and it's awe inspiring to think of all the bands that the Byrds influenced and inspired. Thankyou for the interview, and your detailed commentating that I've come to really enjoy. ..you rock!
Blown away by these interviews! Two super legends, three if you count Dylan! I was 11 in 1965, bought this song on a 45, played it thin, and was gobsmacked to hear Bob Dylan's version years later. AND my first concert was The Byrds in about 1970! Freaking awesome episode, kid! I mean, Professor!
I was working at a fast food joint in 1965. Musta heard this song 12 times a night on our juke box. Never got tired of it in all this time. Great piece!
I was 13 years old at the time Tambourine Man came out. I was wowed by the marvelous sound of their electric 12 strings and the obvious sincere attempt at real story telling in vividly colored language! At that tender age it said to me that there was something serious to be done in American music. It proved that American music didn't have to be only puddle deep. Tambourine Man was new and had real merit. It was telling to see that Wooly Bully was charting right next to Tambourine Man at the time, utter silliness next to something seriously musical and profound. Who says Americans aren't fickle? There's your proof. We want it all. We want to be real and we want to have fun. Only in America! Thank you America and thank you Byrds. I will always be grateful for the real pleasure you brought into my life at that time.
ABSOLUTELY LOVE FOLK ROCK!!! Got me into folk music and just great singer song writers. I initially could not get into Dylan. Maybe only a few songs. But when I heard all the great folk rock covers of his music from the Byrds, the Turtles, etc., I became I huge Dylan fan. Another great video. Thank you for making it and sharing it!
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
Excellent, just excellent, and that song will always be magic for me. I hit 15 when it came out and will always remember Charmaine walking around the school yard asking all us kids what was the latest best song out and we all said ' hey Mr tambourine Man!'
I remember that record. Friends and I went to the Byrds' Baltimore concert, then saw them off at the airport. That meeting with them inspired me to become a working musician.
Mr. Tambourine man was, and still is, a great song.
I bow down to Roger McGuinn. Musical genius. You must of been in awe sitting next to him. Wow.....
One of the greatest songs of the 60’s. Professor, I thoroughly enjoyed your interviews with Roger and David. Legends! Well done. Kudos to you. You are a true professional.
This brings back oh so fond memories from my youth! I was 15 in 1965 and the very first rock concert I went to was to see The Byrds! I was fortunate to have a friend who had some kind of pull and actually got to go backstage and meet the band after the show. Pretty heady stuff for a 15 year old. I became a die hard Byrds fan and bought all their albums, just loved their sound and played them to death. When I was 16 a good friend who played bass guitar and some others formed a band, I was lead singer, and made some extra money playing dance venues and frat parties around our area having a ton of fun. Some of the best times of my life!
I saw Roger McGuinn in concert in 2019 and he's still got it! His 12 string guitar playing sounds amazing!
Hes playing a 7 string acoustic in this video.
@@bearblackhawk9362 yes, I have not seen a 7 string before, how does that work ?
@@lloydrobeau5126 The G-string is doubled an octave higher; the other strings are standard. Easier to play, and you can bend strings but still suggest the 12-string sound.
@@danoblue thank you !😊
David Allen Coe must have been at that one to
I was born in 56, I was like seven years old when I first heard this song done by the Byrds....I knew it was destined for greatness even at that young age, I've been a Roger McGuinn fan since that day. I watched a clip of Roger , now 80 yo last night, time has taken it's toll but he's still rockin. I chuckled the hardest when the interviewer asked him what the best thing he had ever done in the music business and he replied...."get out of it" Of course he meant getting out of what was going on behind the scenes during that era.
My favorite band of all time. The most creative amd influentioal band that ever came from America.
That was brilliant!! I was maybe 7 when I heard this song in a Fish and Chip shop in Bournemouth in the south of England. I was on holiday from Wales at the time. My father put money in the Juke Box to play it again!!!! For the next 2 years I plagued my Dad to get me a guitar,,,, a beautiful Eros dreadnaught,,,,,I still have it. A weak or 2 ago - My Japanese wife - I now live in Japan and I went for a drink at my friends music bar in town. I am a lefty and have an old Takamine there,,,, This was one of the songs I did!!! Now pushing sixty years since I heard it first,,,,The sight of these young Japanese people loving the song too was wonderful!!! Thank you so much for this. It added so much to my memories,,,,
This song ushered a whole new positive era of great experimental genres of music written and played by the most creative musical geniuses of all time.
Thank you! This was well done. You might want to tell the story of how the young pirate radio DJ, Keith Skues, was given this recording; he aired it, introducing it to England. He tells this in his book on pirate radio history, "Pop Went the Pirates II." He yet lives in southeast England, and I'd say he is well worth an interview in his own right. He retired, from the BBC, only a couple of years ago.
I mean - our Professor got to sit with Roger McGuinn while he played Mr. Tambourine Man. Bleeping insanity! Congrats!
I would have been in tears.................
I was just watching it here
Roger is still so cool to this day. He defies aging and still plays incredibly well. That 12 string intro to Mr. Tambourine Man hooked me on Rock n Roll for my lifetime. The Byrds were my favorite 60's band, even more than The Beatles.
You need your own tv show. Passion, clarity, detail, speech cadence and the ability to listen.
Wow! Thank you very much for your feedback.
I love Roger. He is so talented and such a gentleman. I have seen him perform solo several times and he puts on a terrific show.
Agree. I have seen him four times. Each show was structured similarly but had a couple of songs swapped out. Besides the playing and singing, the anecdotes he shares are priceless. Roger was THERE at the start.
Any time you have a video with Roger plucking those strings, my mind is blown. These guys changed popular music forever. I used to think that I lived through the greatest decade of music 84'-94' but the more I listen to the music that inspired the artists I loved, I'd say my dad living through 64'-74' had a better decade.
I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to be young back then, and to have heard music like that coming out for the first time...I get tired of hearing baby boomers talk about how great the sixties were, but I'm probably just salty because they were right. I wish I could have lived back then!
It was EPIC. .......No understatement.
I did.
Seriously!!!
A private concert with Roger Mcguinn... just magic 😊
How cool is that!!!
It doesn’t get any cooler than that!!
Great interviews and kudos for not freaking out when Roger played the song just a metre away from you with that twinkle in his eye! I don't know if i would have stopped myself from just grinning ear to ear :-D
Good catch! I'll go back and watch that again :)
Mr Tambourine man by the Byrds was a turning point. It utterly stood out as a new and unique sound. I remember the impact it had at the time.
Loved the Byrds. My high school memories are in every hit.
I built a 36 ft yacht in the late 70’s and named it Tambourine Man…..always attracted attention with that name, and she really did take me on a magic swirling trip through some unique places and people in the Pacific for 4 wonderful full time cruising years. Bob’s music has always been with me and I can always delve into his catalogue and find something just right. Mr Tamborine Man remains very special
My father loved The Byrds and "Mr. Tambourine Man" was a favorite. He played that scratchy record over and over. He passed in 2009 from cancer. This song will always remind me of that incredible guy.
Great video! Great Interviews with Roger McGuinn and David Crosby about one of my favorite 60s track of all time. Especially love the part how Roger describes the evolution of the trade mark riff.
It was great that David acknowledged how much of a true pro Roger really is.
Roger is a great musician and a great singer.
Glad old animosities have softened. Gotta hand it to Record Executives. Up till around 68 or 69. Record companies made money by getting hits out quickly. They didn't spend time letting a group of friends try to learn the sounds and production technics. After The Monkees "scandle" the record companies made a fortune charging band's rent by letting the group spend hours trying to get the sound right. As Roger said, it took 3 hours to do the A/B sides of Tambourine Man but 77 hours for Turn, Turn, Turn. I believe McGuinn made his chops touring with the great Bobby Darin.
@@tomb4575 The wrecking crew weren't immune to that stuff either. They took a fantastically long time to record some of Jimmy Webb's songs in the late '60s. I understand money was on the line, but in those days the well wasn't ridiculously dry like it is now. Studio guys like the wrecking crew that actually have an identifiable sound don't even exist anymore. My point is so what if it takes 77 takes (not hours) to get a song recorded? How about a little personality.
@@johnvalencia9927 "Personality is everything in art and poetry." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ...'Wild Horses' was the final song the Stones would attempt in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. But as the band prepared to begin recording, pianist Ian Stuart calmly packed up to leave. Memphis pianist Jim Dickinson was then recruited. It wasn't until years later that Dickinson discovered the reason behind Stewart's disinterest in 'Wild Horses'. Stu had always hated minor chords. And the song contains minor chords. Even when playing live with the band on tour the committed Boogie Woogie man would regularly engage in an act of perverse defiance, lifting his hands from the keys whenever a minor chord came up. "He was an extreme dude", says Dickinson. "He kept them honest. There was no bullshit when Ian was around."
Witnesses to sessions would come away astonished at the rank amateurism of the Stones in the studio, where they were capable of showing little more expertise than the newest band of nobodies working on their worthless demo tapes. But that recklessness was essential to the Stones process.
"I've virtually based a career around what I learned in those three days," Dickinson says with a laugh. "It was so organic and natural, you just had to stop and think, 'Who's right and who's wrong here?' And they literally didn't have a clue as to what they were doing. They were making a record the way people off the street will come in and make a record."
"They were the worst bloody band on the planet, the worst bunch of musicians in the world they could be for days at a time. Really fucking horrible. And you sit there wondering how on earth are we going to get anything out of this. They would play very badly, and that's how they played most of the time, very poorly, and out of tune... They were the worst band on the planet, BUT, when IT happened, they were transformed almost instantly from this dreadful band into THE ROLLING STONES, and blow you away. It was almost magical." - Andy Johns, recording engineer ♫
@@tomb4575 "I believe McGuinn made his chops touring with the great Bobby Darin."
Yes he did. And back then he was Jim McGuinn. My father, Ronnie Zito, was Darin's drummer at the time!
The Byrds and Bob Dylan did great music together. Turn, Turn, Turn is a song Bob thought was too religious for him, being taken from the Bible with minor changes. Thank you for the acknowledgement of the Wrecking Crue's part in making it a hit. You know how to Sell the truth.
I realize that I echo many others comments, but it has to be said. Superb job! McGuinn singing to you and Crosby opening up! I don’t think there’s much more in this world that we could ask for. Thank you. 🙌
One of my personal all time fav songs... knocked me out when I was a little kid and still has the magic all these years and listens later. Damn, Roger is fantastic.
Great work POR. Thanks.
Great to hear Crosby give props to Roger by saying he was half the band. Great job Professor on another awesome show.
More of David's nonsense. The Byrds wouldn't have existed without the extraordinary talent of Gene Clark, one of the greatest songwriters/vocalists of that or any other era in American music. Crosby's the best harmony singer I've ever heard but he talked a whole lotta crap on every conceivable subject his "highs" put him in touch with. A "grain of salt" philosopher/social critic.
@@davidmurray2539 Gene was superb, the groups best writer and a strong singer, but how do you explain the great music that came after he left, 5D (excepting 8 miles high) Younger Than Yesterday, The notorious Byrd Brothers, and the even the idiosyncratic Sweetheart of the Rodeo? The bands defining sound and vision was McGuinn's.
@@gaspersignorelli3724 With the exception of your praise for Gene Clark I couldn't disagree with you more, Gasper. There was no Byrds after "Notorious". Their strength and genius was their studio work, especially 5D thru Notorious. Thanks to producer Gary Usher and Beatles influence The Byrds were at the forefront of technological innovation, 15 years BEFORE a whole slew of British bands were incorporating it and making it central to their sound and creating a whole new genre of music! Post Notorious Byrd Bros, no Gene, no David, no Chris Hillman, who was a major contributor to Younger Than Yesterday and Notorious. What's left is McGuinn, a singer of Dylan songs and clearly a very ordinary songwriting talent, and a backing band. Long story short, they never bettered the appalling Untitled album and four or five albums on McGuinn ran them to ground. Yes, the original group, Hillman excepted, exhibited a level of immaturity and indifference to one another that renders the making of albums 2 through 5 a bit of a miracle but the point I want to make is they had boundless creativity in the studio, (listen to Artificial Energy and Draft Morning) and through self-destructive tendencies, then McGuinn's obliviousness to the group's past, The "Byrds" aimed to be a country band, then an arena rock band featuring 15 minute jams of Eight Miles High with "lyrics optional". One of the most embarrassing descents in rock history. I still rue the day they turned into Hollywood cowboys with Ten Years After tendencies! PS. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I think Crosby's very best songwriting moments occurred between 5D and Notorious Byrd Bros, thereby diminishing McGuinn's lyrical input somewhat. Exceptional guitarist though of that there is no question.
Your reply is long. I'd have to print it out to make references. But I appreciate it. Your first statement implied strongly that Gene Clark was the key to the Byrds. But even by your parameters of when the Byrds began and ended, their brilliance from Fifth Dimension through the Notorious Byrd Brothers, happened without Gene Clark. I agree that McGuinn's strength wasn't writing, and - much of his best work was collaborative - and I agree that much of Crosby's best songwriting occurred while he was a Byrd, and that Hillman developed as a songwriter and singer. You didn't mention it but what a beautifully liquescent bass player he was - Renaissance Fair, Everybody's Been Burned. But your main point seems to be that it was the studio wizardry of Gary Usher that made the post Clarke Byrds great. (Does Terry Melcher get any credit for the first two albums?) Well Usher undoubtedly did a great job, but no one has made that claim before, not even the recently deceased Johnny Rogan who wrote their massive and definitive history. And it must also be recalled, that not only Crosby, but Hillman too, says it was ultimately Roger's band. As Crosby states, he was hands down the best musician, a great arranger (The transformations of Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn were his). His brilliant and original guitar work, and the sheer otherworldly glorious beauty of his sound, by itself altered the sonic synapses of me and countless others, and for the better! And his original, idiosyncratic singing, was the defining voice of the group. Crucially he was their turn on Dylan,: Mr. Tambourine Man, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages, and to draw on what you consider, and quite arbitrarily in my opinion, a non-Byrd album -Sweetheart - You Ain't Going Nowhere, and Nothing Was Delivered - the finale of one of the great albums, one of great BYRD albums, of the 60s
- are all classic and indelibly fresh and vital. But to get back to the producer thing, the argument is similar to what others have said about George Martin's contributions to the Beatles. Some, recoil at the notion, while others give him his just due. Perhaps you're right that Usher should get his. BTW I have no idea what the 10 years after comparison means. Huh? And I'm not buying that the Byrds ended with Notorious . I've heard it before but no go. There was a continuity from the first Byrd album till the last, inconsistent quality wise though they might be, and altered by the new guitar focus on Clarence White - and that was Jim McGuinn. I could go on, and I'm sure you could too - and probably will. Anyway, nice talking to you guy. PS: Ha, talk about long reply's.
gasper signorelli
gasper signorelli
@@gaspersignorelli3724 Greetings Gasper and thanks for taking time to develop your thoughtful opinions. Byrds 1 thru Notorious had a unique, distinctive sound of Course. Post Notorious that chemical formula was gone. Crosby thought he could take the secret to Stills and Nash but what they produced in the studio were vocal harmonies so compressed and lacking oxygen that they were rendered lifeless. But back to The Byrds. Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Some great tracks. Wound up in The Smithsonian but a one-off. Parsons and Hillman bolted to Burritos as that band was a freewheelin' affair and likely a lot more fun than being instructed by the dour Roger on what he wanted from them. (I always felt though that The Ballad of Easy Rider was song for song a better album and the one I wished all five of the original Byrds could've made.) And yes I have high regard for Chris Hillman. A master musician and probably the very best student of the bass guitar that Beatle Paul ever had. And that brings me to a basic problem I have with myself. I was such a passionate fan of this band from the beginning that I voice opinions, based on readings and interviews over lots of years, that make it sound like I knew the band and attended recording sessions, etc. (Not true), although I did have about a 10 minute conversation with David Crosby at an autograph signing event at the Roundhouse, London when they were on a promotional tour for Younger Than Yesterday last century. That brings me to Johnny Rogan's definitive Byrds bio. If it's built on a foundation of hundreds of interviews with the group and associates, then poor old Johnny (RIP) may have gotten no closer to the truth about the group than I have. I have never, for example, read a sentence that pertained to exactly what members of band contributed to creating which songs and to what degree. There was a stone cold selfishness that took hold with these guys as time went on that I doubt the really interesting, objective truths about their interpersonal-intermusical relationships will ever come to light. Likely Michael Clarke, if you'd injected him with truth serum, may have come closest to giving a true accounting of things. (A true Rosencrantz and Guilderstern character.)
Got more thoughts on The Byrds including why I think that cranking up the volume on "Chestnut Mare" and putting it on repeat down at Guantanamo would've made even the most hardened terrorist part with his organization's most highly classified secrets. Take care.
Loved it made me feel free, and I was 14,15 yrs.old the whole world was filled with talented musicians and the best music ever....
One of the most important releases in rock history
I was about to graduate from high school when Tambourine Man came on the radio. I was already playing in my first rock band and that record changed all of our lives. We still liked rock and all, but now, here was something greater, more meaningful, as David said. Nothing was the same after that.
Fun Fact: the bassist on this tune was Larry Knechtel, the same guy who provided the stellar piano work on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” He was a member of the “Hollywood Golden Trio”, a hit-making machine within The Wrecking Crew that included drum meister Hal Blaine and bassist Joe Osborne. Hiring those three musicians would pretty much guarantee a hit.
Great song! I was 13 when the song came out and instantly fell in love with it. I'd just gotten my first guitar for my birthday and my fingers were bleeding from playing it too long and too hard right from the start. 56 years later the song still sounds fresh and brings back all the optimism and joys of being alive as a new teenager in the mid-60s. I love it to this day. Even though I'll be 70 soon, I'm the same kid who fell in love with Dylan and the Byrds all those years ago.
Seeing this video 1 year after it posted. Another great interview, especially in light of the passing of David Crosby. The one aspect of this recording was how the baseline comes in and is so complimentary to the 12 string guitar. This is one of the iconic and recognizable bass lines in rock music. I was really surprised to learn that it was the Wrecking Crew that played the instruments on the recording; always thought that it was Chris Hillman who played that iconic bass line.
It was the first time I heard a Bob Dylan song in my home.
My mom was a traditional folk music fan. Though a purist. She loved THE BYRDS and played that album constantly.
I love this genre of music. Back when you could hear the instruments being played. I was able to see Roger McGuinn play live . It was some of the best music I've heard played live. I love the harmonies of Crosby, Stills and Nash. They have such a great sound and somehow they get you to sing along with them at some point in a song. Sadly we don't have music like this anymore. No one plays instruments anymore and I don't know. It's just not the same. Best cover of a Bob Dylan song would have to be Guns N' Roses singing Knockin' on Heavens Door. It's too hard to pick the best Dylan song overall. That's like asking a parent which is their favorite child? Dylan has just written too many good songs. You were so lucky to be sitting that close to Roger McGuinn. There's something from my bucket list. To be able to meet him. Closets I got was seeing him in concert. Thank you for the wonderful interview. Stay safe and take care.
Terrific interview. I was in high school when this song came on my beater '56 Chevy's radio. I remember being totally blown away. I immediately went to my neighborhood record store (remember those?) and listened to the whole album on their system. Needless to say I bought it as well as every other Byrds album upon release. They were one of the major reasons I bought a cheap used guitar and learned to play well enough to start a garage band with some of my buddies. We were never very good but now I look back and realize that playing for my own enjoyment these last 50 plus years has been the best therapy for
Impressive interview! I’ve been a huge fan of The Byrds when I discovered ‘Eight Miles High’ as a teen in the mid-late ‘70s. Back then, none of my classmates were into ‘60s bands, instead preferring The Eagles, Journey, Queen or Hall & Oates. The Byrds had four great songwriters: Gene Clark was likely the first great writer, followed by MCGuinn, Crosby and then (kinda like George Harrison) quiet one Chris Hillman created many excellent tunes ‘Time Between’, Have You Seen Her Face’ and ‘Girl with No Name’. Crosby’s recent albums are awesome. check out ‘Sky Trails’!
I was nine in 1965, what a great time to be growing up! The perfect storm of intelligent lyricists, musicians, and technology, combined with brave people and magnificent producers! Magical!
Man, all I have to say is you did a great job asking the right questions and editing to tell a concise story. This song as done by the Byrds via the Wrecking Crew on instruments, blew a hole through human social consciousness and is still resonating.
Thank you so much for this episode! This is essential learning for the history of rock, folk rock and country rock. The Byrds were one of the biggest musical forces of the 1960's. Interviewing Roger and David to get their insights is awesome. You might also want to talk to the other surviving original Byrd, Chris Hillman.
A classic, the Bryds version is the best. There's a very good documentary about David Crosby on Amazon Prime, exploring his career, life and bands he played in. The Wrecking Crew documentary is a must-see. Their songs were the soundtrack of our lives. Everyone listened to the radio in the '60s and '70s.
I’ve see. It. It is good. Thanks for recommendation!.
This song always fills me with so much happiness and joy - every time I hear it!
Crosby took the interview? Nice job, Professor. He knows a thing or two about harmonies. :-)
I remember the day I first heard this song on the radio--to say it was electrifying would be an understatement. That sound, that feel, was unique in every way, and for me, it captured the spirit of the times perfectly. Your interview with David and Jim (he'll always be Jim to me) was fascinating; you always manage to bring out some information or perspective I didn't know before. I especially appreciated David's insight about how this was the first time radio songs had lyrics with meaning. That's what I always appreciated about the Byrds: they sang songs that mattered, and they played them like it mattered.
The Byrds are such a hugely important band in rock history. It's fun hearing they went nuts hearing their song on the radio the first time. You almost expect them to have been like the giants on Mount Rushmore. Just nodding... yeah... of course. And it's great seeing Crosby in his old age. It seemed impossible decades ago. He looked like he was such a mess. I'm very happy for him.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
No one starts with a second time.
It is great seeing David Crosby doing well. Roger looks fantastic! Great history lesson ! Thanks Professor
KRLA! The 60's lives!
@@jeroldbastian790 Yup
This is such an informative video, especially 7.40 - 9.30, the explanation of why the time signature was changed and the demonstration of how it changed the feel of the song making it more likely to be picked up by the radio stations. I love Crosby's tale of hearing it on the radio for the first time, that must have been mind blowing, and it's so very true what he says about lyrics, they set the bar for everything that came after. I wonder if the record company deliberately released it in the summer, it has a 'summery' sound. You're doing great work, the 1960's musicians you interview were game changers. They had boundless talent and they just happened to be around during one of the most important times in history. What a fortunate combination and thankfully we have the possibility to record their stories for posterity.
As a teacher of all styles, but having started on classical I was taught much Bach, I also put my own now-grown children through a lot of Bach as he is the foundation, was so inspired, still does. BECAUSE I notice so many of the great folk/rock/pop musicians of the 60s drew from Bach - the intro to the Doors Light My Fire, Paul Simon used motifs and licks, and now this intro. Bach lives on.
Just astonished to learn that the wrecking crew played most of the instruments! The sound of the single and the live performances come across as a sublime group effort. Even discovering the singular contribution of Roger McGuinn in finding the song and adapting it to the Byrds is something of a surprise.
Chris Hillman is one of my favorite singers of all time!! I have all his music from Desert Rose Band....just anything with him...he deserves his very own episode!! He's just amazing ❤❤
Good call on Hillman. Would love to see an interview going over his career.
@@randyschiffer3265 Loved that voice since I was a kid!! ❤❤
Absolutely ! Cris and Gram Parsons did some great work together.
@@pfiztime1511 oh yeah, the Guilded palace of sin is seriously one of the best albums ever
Beautiful tone on the McGuinn Martin guitar.
It's that opening guitar riff...the sound of a thousand indie bands in the future
And Mr. Crosby telling of first time they heard Mr. Tambourine Man on the radio. Priceless.
Roger, what a genius. There's no Tom Petty and many others without Roger. What a great player.
very true
When i first heard this song.......I dropped whatever i was doing.....let my jaw drop to the floor...I haven't been the same since............thank you byrds...........
I played this song (Byrds version) for my son for the first time when he was 5. He is now a very accomplished musician. After the song finished, he was so completely blown away by it, he kept saying to me "dad, dad, play jingle j again". That's what he called it. He didn't know the song's name. That remains one of the best and happiest moments of my life and I'm almost 62.
I legitimately have to just laugh out loud sometimes when I discover the interviews you've managed to secure. Even more, they never feel squandered. Bravo.
Dylan was a songwriter, his voice was let's say unique. Dylan was smart enough to see the innovation of record producers and recording engineers and artists like Roger McGuinn who had the audacity of playing Beatles music in coffee houses. Dylan could have acted as a snobby folkie but he liked The Byrds and joined in.
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
@@91dodgespiritrt lmao okay bud it's not like he changed the entire way people write lyrics
His voice is, not was...Dylan is singing better than ever
@@91dodgespiritrt Controlled opposition.
I'm sorry but Dylan voice in those early recording sounded like a cartoon character.
I'm 62 so lived a bunch of musical history but he was and is a poet
Your episodes leave me astounded. You do excellent and engaging work.
I was 14 when that song came out so it will always be part of my youth. How little we appreciated the musical talent of that time, we expected the hits to go on forever.
The technology and play distribution and marketing of that time gave the music access to audiences not allowed on the later rigid six hour continuous play loop of monopoly corporation syndicated radio.
The Byrds version of the song exposed a generation to Bob Dylan. I was 14 when the song was released, discovered the songwriter, and became a huge Dylan fan, long beyond the Byrds lifespan. But I prefer the Byrds versions of Dylan’s songs, especially My Back Pages.