Gene Parsons
| Gene Parsons | |
|---|---|
| Born |
September 4, 1944 Morongo Valley, Mojave Desert, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Rock, Country rock, Bluegrass, Country |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Songwriter, Engineer |
| Instruments | Guitar, Drums, Banjo, Harmonica, Pedal steel, vocals, percussion |
| Years active | 1966–present |
| Labels | Bakersfield International, Columbia, Warner Bros., Sierra, Stringbender |
| Associated acts | Nashville West, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons Green |
| Website | http://stringbender.com/ |
Gene Victor Parsons is an American drummer, banjo player, guitarist, singer-songwriter, and engineer, best known for his work with The Byrds from 1968 to 1972. Parsons has also released solo albums and played in bands including Nashville West, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Parsons Green. Parsons is credited with inventing the B-Bender (also known as the StringBender) along with Clarence White and the device is often referred to as the Parsons/White B-Bender, a trademarked name.
Gene Parsons was born on September 4, 1944 on his family's farm in Morongo Valley in the Mojave Desert, California. His professional musical career began when he joined up with guitarist and Fiddle player Gib Guilbeau in the duo Guilbeau & Parsons. Later the duo was joined by Clarence White, former guitarist with the Kentucky Colonels, and bassist Wayne Moore to form the band Nashville West, named after a club where the band often performed.
After the dissolution of Nashville West, Parsons was brought in to The Byrds by his friend Clarence White, who had recently become the band's guitarist, to replace previous drummer Kevin Kelley. Parsons remained with the band for four years, principally as a drummer but he also contributed guitar, banjo, harmonica and a number of his own songs to the albums Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde, Ballad of Easy Rider, (Untitled), Byrdmaniax and Farther Along.
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