The Byrds

The Byrds
The Byrds in 1965 From left to right: David Crosby, Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, Chris Hillman, and Jim McGuinn
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Rock, pop, folk rock, psychedelic rock, raga rock, country rock
Years active	1964–73; 1989–91; 2000
Labels	Columbia, Asylum, Elektra
Associated acts	The Jet Set, the Beefeaters, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Manassas, Firefall, McGuinn, Clark & Hillman, the Desert Rose Band, Souther–Hillman–Furay Band
Website	www.thebyrds.com
Past members	Roger McGuinn Gene Clark David Crosby Michael Clarke Chris Hillman Kevin Kelley Gram Parsons Clarence White Gene Parsons John York Skip Battin

The Byrds /ˈbɜːrdz/ were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple lineup changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole consistent member, until the group disbanded in 1973. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of contemporaries like the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and the Rolling Stones for a short period in late 1965, the Byrds are today considered by critics to be one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. Initially, they pioneered the musical genre of folk rock, melding the influence of the Beatles and other British Invasion bands with contemporary and traditional folk music. As the 1960s progressed, the band was also influential in originating psychedelic rock, raga rock, and country rock.

The band's signature blend of clear harmony singing and McGuinn's jangly twelve-string Rickenbacker guitar has continued to be influential on popular music up to the present day. Among the band's most enduring songs are their cover versions of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" and Pete Seeger's "Turn! Turn! Turn! (to Everything There Is a Season)", along with the self-penned originals, "I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better", "Eight Miles High", "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star", "Ballad of Easy Rider" and "Chestnut Mare".