So You Want To Be A Rock N Roll Star- The Byrds Day-by-Day 1965-1973 The argument can be made that The Byrds were the greatest American rock and roll band. In addition to the recently released Byrds CD box set, we now have a companion book written by rock historian Christopher Hjort who resides in Oslo, Norway. This is a day by day account of the Byrds often tumultuous history. More than 1000 live performances, TV and radio appearances, and recording sessions are documented. Thanks to Christopher's' extensive research, I was finally able to find the exact date of The Byrds concert I attended at Bucknell University (March 18, 1972). Also, many exquisite black and white photos and concert bills are seen for the first time in print.
Beginning with the world wide success of 'Mr. Tambourine Man' in 1965, The Byrds are generally acknowledged as having invented Folk-Rock. Along the way, they became friends with The Beatles, survived a disastrous tour of Great Britain, and numerous departures of band members that would have killed off most other groups. Somehow leader and visionary Roger McGuinn kept it all together.
Find out what caused the ouster of the outspoken David Crosby whose on stage remarks at Monterey Pop Festival in 1967 advocated the use of LSD and his belief that JFK was killed by the CIA. What exactly did Gram Parsons bring to The Byrds sound in his short four month time in the band? Why did Gram refuse to go on tour with The Byrds to South Africa? Who was the amazing electric guitarist Clarence White, called the 'Caucasian Jimi Hendrix' and how was he tragically killed?
Along with basically inventing Folk-Rock, The Byrds pioneered Psychedelia and Country-Rock and were one of the first bands to use synthesizers. The Byrds influence looms large today in the sounds of such artists as REM and Tom Petty. This is the most compelling and complete account of The Byrds ever published.
Christopher Hjort joins us on Contours for this intimate and fascinating look at the Byrds. Date: TBA.
So You Want To Be A Rock N Roll Star- The Byrds Day-by-Day 1965-1973
by Christopher Hjort (Jawbone Press)
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