Favorite Byrd

[manta]

But no vote for Chris?

MMM

[cjj]

OK, I'll vote for Chris, because he played bass and is a serious bluegrass player, both of which I've been playing for many years.

[manta]

Good work CJ! I've always liked his style!

T

[stubby]

I have to go with Crosby. It's probably not fair in the context of this question specifically but I am 40 years old and by the time I was seriously listening to any of this music, Crosby had already established an incredible legacy that for a guy my age is hard to disentangle. In other words, it's hard for me to separate the stuff he did with the Byrds from later works with CSN and CSNY. That voice has been a part of a lot of my formative musical experiences and to me was such a subtle, integral part of the bands he played in. It is so understated but it is always there to surprise you when you actually stop to think and listen more closely to what's happening musically. The same is true of his guitar work. The Byrds are a great band and there's no denying the huge contributions and talents of the others but I think it's Crosby that pushes them over the edge from great to sublime.

[customxke]

I know that we're talking about the original Byrds, but I'm still voting for Clarence. Watch the "Playboy After Dark" footage. They're most definitely NOT Poco. Clarence will melt your face.

[jimk]

The late edition of the Byrds with Clarence has a special place in my heart, too. This was one of the groups that turned me on to country-rock. I only wish that they had made better and more use of Roger's Rick. I sometimes think that was a missed opportunity.

JimK

[libratune]

Gene Clark, who I consider to be a better songwriter than the others, and also underrated compared to his bandmates. McGuinn wrote some great tunes, but to me, there was something about Gene's stuff.

+1. I have been reading up on Gene lately** and listening to his post-Byrds material (e.g., "No Others") which has led me to go back to the early Byrds tunes and listen with a new ear. His strong vocals and fine songwriting make him, IMO, the "unsung hero" (pun intended) of the Byrds. WIthout his vocal and songwriting contributions, I don't think the Byrds material would have had the appeal and staying power that it did. Roger's 12-er and Crosby's harmonies wouldn't have been enough to make the Byrds the force that they were without Gene's contributions.

**"Mr. Tambourine Man -- The Life and Legacy of the Byrds' Gene Clark" by John Einarson

[jimk]

I really should get Einarson's book. It has been thoroughly discussed on the Yahoo Byrdmaniax list.

JimK

[peewee]

I know that we're talking about the original Byrds, but I'm still voting for Clarence. Watch the "Playboy After Dark" footage. They're most definitely NOT Poco. Clarence will melt your face.

Right on.

[kvalois]

Roger has to win. Without his 12-string Rickenbacker and lead vocals, what do you have???

Karl

[rubrsol97]

Clarence White

http://www.clarencewhiteforum.com

[manta]

Gene Clark, who I consider to be a better songwriter than the others, and also underrated compared to his bandmates. McGuinn wrote some great tunes, but to me, there was something about Gene's stuff. Roger's 12-er and Crosby's harmonies wouldn't have been enough to make the Byrds the force that they were without Gene's contributions.

**"Mr. Tambourine Man -- The Life and Legacy of the Byrds' Gene Clark" by John Einarson

Well, Poco or no, it's because of the lack of Gene Clark in the Byrds that I all but quit following them after their first two-three albums. The stuff they did with White made them a whole new band with a whole new kind of music and the only Brydish thing about them was McGuinn, who wasn't really nourished by Clarence White's influence.

With McGuinn fashioning arrangements and Clark's songs and harmony, they were a unique group. That was a short-lived thing and during that time McGuinn was my favorite of the "real" Byrds. "Feel A Whole Lot Better" remains an all-time masterpiece.

Best,

Manta

[revolver323]

Crosby -- for voice, mustache, hair -- in that order

[billydlight]

Gene Gene Tambourine Machine! He was totally cool and out there with nothing but a tambourine.

"feel a whole lot better" need I say more???

[pocaloc]

I'm voting for Spokane's own Michael Clarke.