The Byrds

The Byrds (formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1964) were an American rock band.

The Byrds were popular and influential through the latter part of the 1960s and early 1970s.

Lineup:

Jim (Roger) McGuinn - vocals, 12-string guitar

David Crosby - vocals, rhythm guitar

Gene Clark - vocals, tambourine

Mike Clarke - drums

Chris Hillman - bass

This lineup persisted for one year (1965, exactly), after which Clark left for good. Crosby followed suite in 1967, followed by Clarke. Replaced by Gram Parsons (guitar, vocals), Kevin Kelley (drums). Parsons was a good dude and a talented songwriter; unfortunately, taking Hillman with him, he quit in late 1968, after which Roger McGuinn was left as the only original 'Byrd'. Not feeling any particular remorse, he assembled a new gang, among them Clarence White (guitar), Gene Parsons (drums), John York (bass, replaced in late 1969 by Skip Battin). These became the 'Byrds Mark II', and critics usually bash the life out of them. The most interesting thing is that all of the original Byrds re-united in 1973 for an album, but it was panned just as well (unjustly), and that was the last we ever saw of the Byrds. The Byrds disbanded in 1973.