Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

I recently received the book, "The Guitar & rock Equipment" by Nick Freeth (published 2002) as a birthday present from my 13 year-old niece. It's the basic coffee table book that describes guitars, artists, amps, and other equipment such as pedals, etc.

In describing The Byrds' career it states, "Originally called the Jet Set before arrival of Hillman and Clarke; recorded series of demos for World Pacific, later released in 1969 as "Preflyte". As trio, cut one unsuccessful single for Elektra, "Please Let Me Love You", then signed to Columbia as The Byrds."

My question is, were Hillman & Clarke on the released verision of "Preflyte"?

BTW, the book has some great pictues of various Rickenbackers, including the original maple "Frying Pan" and a 30's amp labeled "Rickenbacher/Electro".

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I've seen the exact guitar book that you're talking about, and yeah, it's a cool book with lots of pics of classic guitars and amps and such.

On whether Hillman and Clarke were on the released "Preflyte", I think they are in fact playing on those "preflyte" sessions that were recorded at World Pacific Studios. If I can remember correctly, I do believe Johnny Rogan's book on the Byrds mentions this too.

The Jet Set was one of the original names that Roger came up with before they became the Byrds. The original three Byrds (McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby) had released a 45 single of "Please Let Me Love You" under the name The Beefeaters, but that single didn't go anywhere, and the group disliked the name "Beefeaters", so that name didn't last. Then, if I can remember correctly, they added Hillman and Clarke and recorded the "Preflyte" sessions at World Pacific Studios. Ravi Shankar was recording at World Pacific Studios around the exact same time as the Byrds, and that's how the Byrds got into his music. Later on, the Byrds introduced Ravi's sitar sounds to the Beatles, and George Harrison really got into it.