Skip Battin

Skip Battin
The Byrds in 1970. (L–R) Roger McGuinn, Skip Battin, Clarence White, Gene Parsons.
Background information
Birth name	Clyde Battin
Born	(1934-02-18)February 18, 1934 Gallipolis, Ohio, US
Died	July 6, 2003(2003-07-06) (aged 69) Salem, Oregon US
Genres	Rock, Country rock, Folk rock
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter
Instruments	Vocals, bass guitar
Years active	1956–1991
Labels	Columbia
Associated acts	The Byrds, New Riders of the Purple Sage, The Flying Burrito Brothers, Skip & Flip

Clyde "Skip" Battin (February 18, 1934 – July 6, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, bassist, performer and recording artist. He is best remembered as a member of the Byrds, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. While considered to be a great bass player, songwriter and vocalist, he generally joined bands after their most successful periods.

Battin was born Clyde Raybould Battin in Gallipolis, Ohio. His early musical career began in 1956 when he collaborated with Gary Paxton and formed the Pledges, the same duo later successfully recording as Skip & Flip, enjoying some success with "It Was I", and their cover of "Cherry Pie". After a few years out of the music industry, he led the short-lived folk-rock group Evergreen Blueshoes, starting in 1967. Their one album appeared on the Amos label.

As a musician, Battin is probably best known for his position as bass guitarist and songwriter with the Byrds from 1970 to 1973. He was—by eight years—the oldest member of the Byrds, with whom he recorded three albums and toured extensively. Many of his songwriting contributions were co-written with longtime collaborator and famous producer/songwriter Kim Fowley. After the breakup of the Columbia Byrds, Battin recorded a solo album, Skip. After his dismissal from the group in February 1973, he began work on his Topanga Skyline album (that later saw a release over 40 years later in 2012). The album was shelved, and he was invited to join the country-rock group the New Riders of the Purple Sage, with whom he recorded three albums from 1974 to 1976, whereupon he left to join his ex-Byrd cohort Gene Parsons in the "re-fried" Flying Burrito Brothers.