Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

As Crosby, Hillman & McGuinn have all said there is only one real Byrds line up, the original one. So who is your favorite and why?

David Crosby for me for a whole variety of reasons but Roger is a very close second........

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.

This one:

I don't think I'm going to vote. Why? Because I think that
1. Roger would get my vote for creative effort, (where would the Byrds' sound be without that Rick 12 string?),
2. Gene Clark would get my vote as best songwriter,
3. Croz would get my vote for most creative harmony arrangements,
4. and I don't think it's fair to leave out Clarence White, the genius of the guitar.

And there has been great debate on the importance of the role Gram Parsons played in his short stint as a Byrd. You can't leave that question out, I think.

As drummers go, I much prefer Gene Parsons to Michael Clarke, although Clarke did have some good moments, e.g. on Eight Miles High

And as far as Chris Hillman goes, fine musician that he is, I feel like he really didn't come into his own until he formed The Flying Burrito Brothers, and later especially with The Desert Rose Band.

So...there you have it. Just my humble opinion.

JimK

jps wrote:This one:

One of my fave Byrds as well, Jeff, and at least you cast a vote, even if it was the wrong species.

I'd have to chime in and say I'd agree that the original 5 are THE Byrds in my mind.

The chicken pickin' country of Clarence White made the Byrds sound more like Poco with a 12-string occasionally thrown into the mix. They had their moments but the original group was something special.

And the McGuinn, Clark and Crosby combination in the early years created some truly unique songs and harmonies that started a new musical path.

But I'd have to give Roger my vote for his arrangements and true mastery of a unique instrumental sound.

Timbo

Roger, by far

buzfluhart wrote:

jps wrote:This one:

One of my fave Byrds as well, Jeff, and at least you cast a vote, even if it was the wrong species.

I may not be as well versed in The Byrds as most around these here parts but, to me, the sum was greater than the individuals; if I had to pick one that most identified them to me, it would me Roger.

jps wrote: ...the sum was greater than the individuals...

Yes, absolutely.

JimK

Chris Hillman zero votes? You guys are a tough crowd.

But alas the King of the 12 string is No: 1 for me too.

Si..........

37012player wrote:Chris Hillman zero votes? You guys are a tough crowd.

But alas the King of the 12 string is No: 1 for me too.

Si..........

Well, he was rather overshadowed by McGuinn, Croz, & Gene-o. And he didn't discover his own songwriting voice until "Time Between." (Younger Than Yesterday). When he joined the Byrds, he was better known as a bluegrass mandolinist, and was talked into playing bass for the Byrds by Jim Dixon, as I recall how the story goes.

Don't get me wrong. Chris Hillman is an incredibly good musician. I just feel like he really blossomed in The Burritos, and the Desert Rose Band.

JimK

I liked Hillman's kind of bouncy bass in "Don't Doubt Yourself Babe". I have to assume it was the studio bass guy who came up with the Mr. Tambourine Man playing, yes?

But I still vote for Jim, er... Roger.

Timbo

Considering the nature of this forum and the guitar that McGuinn made into an icon, this thread topic is a loaded question.

I voted for Mike Clarke because, well, he wasn't getting any votes.

The early Byrds were a unit: it took McGuinn as the "leader" with his 12-er, the songwriting of Clark and the distinct harmonies of Crosby to make it all come together. And Chris got it going after a while (You bass players are a tough crowd! No votes? Where's the love!)

The BYRDS are my favorite Byrd.

Hillman was a significant influence on my bass playing.All in all, the best of the bassists that played in the Byrds.