History of THE BYRDS part three |

[@mikecook7334]

The Byrds made country-rock a legitimate concept. They made it cool for hippies to listen to country, and rock musicians to adopt this new style… Whether or not one digs country, you had to give props to the high standard of musicianship in the “Country Byrds”.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I wasn't a fan of this period until I got older. I grew into it.

[@dannymarz2568]

Ho Hum.....

[@davidcollin1436]

Moby Grape also had some country rock songs.

[@ryetim32]

I love Gram Parson and I love the Byrds. Too bad it didn't work out.

[@valentinius62]

Nashville had many great songwriters over many decades. I always felt the problem was that performers and record companies felt compelled to force many of those songs to sound "country", especially when they stuck a steel guitar into the song, just to make it sound "country". But, at the end of the day it's all about mass consumption.

[@benedictweisser3086]

While Sweetheart of the Rodeo didn't sell well, a year later everyone was doing the same thing and country rock soon became the dominant style. This is one reason why this album always receives such critical praise.

[@docsavage8640]

If only it were as good as hipsters later claimed it to be once it was cool to like it. It's pretty dull for the most part.

[@seanwelch71]

I've always liked it. It's great to hear these famous players as young people discovering how their tastes can change their music. "If the Circle Be Unbroken" by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band" is similar quality.

[@american_cosmic]

@@docsavage8640 As a Gram Parsons fan, I think it's a good album. Some years back they re-released the album with GP's vocals added back in, and it really added a lot to the album... gave it more authenticity, more sincerity. Especially on The Christian Life... GP's vocals are so much better on that than RM's.

[@jayburdification]

Their version of “it’s all over now baby blue“ from Ballad of Easy Rider is criminally underrated. Thanks for giving it some recognition.

[@peterhess2610]

My first band in high school played mostly all byrds and Dylan stuff. Every Saturday afternoon there was a club in Greenwich village where bands like ours could show our stuff. We were the byrds, another group was the Beatles and we’d slug it out there. The crowd of teens who would come to hear the music was 50/50 divided between us and the Beatles band. Such great times-so much innocent fun. Not like today😢

[@scottmcgregor4829]

I am one of the few people that really fell in love with The Sweethearts of the Rodeo without really (at the time) liking country music at all. Having said that, at that time, younger jazz musicians were starting to warm up to rock musicians. I was always a little disappointed that they did not fratenize in jazz a bit more. Once again, a stellar example of Pop goes the 60s. Hoping to see Chad and Jeremy future installments. Cheers.

[@h.markhorton8188]

Bring on ChadandJeremy vs. Peter and Gordon.

[@kjking3087]

Poco

[@londomolari5715]

It would be later that Fusion took off.

[@robertblumrick8123]

"Wasn't Born To Follow" is my ringtone. Met up with Chris Hillman and Herb Perderson at Dosey Doe's here in Houston (Woodlands) and brought ALL of my Byrds albums for Chris to autograph, which he did with a big wide SMILE! Next time he's in town, I'll bring him my mandolin.

[@andygaines9686]

Love this series!! It has got me rediscovering The Byrds and some of their solo stuff.. Love Gene Clark!! Thank you

[@popgoesthe60s52]

My pleasure, Andy!

[@neilsmith6952]

I found the Byrds, because of Gram Parsons, I get that he changed everything, but it's stunning music

[@docsavage8640]

😆 🤣 😂 he's underwhelming to anyone who actually knew country music

[@margaretross9150]

@@docsavage8640 Jim Lauderdale refers to him as a "great, great singer-songwriter." Emmylou Harris calls him very gifted and talented and says without what she learned from Gram no-one would have been interested in anything she did. Dwight Yoakam says his career wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for Gram Parsons. Ian Tyson switched from folk to country because of Gram. So, I think their words have some weight even if you don't agree.

[@normatible9795]

I never liked gram parsons singing fir tbe byrds. Gene can sing. Hillman is a bettwr country sjnger and musician

[@shedbythetracks]

These "deep dives" into the groups of my youth have made me realize what a child of top 40 radio I was. A lot of that was the fact that albums were expensive and 45s were cheap, so you had to save your pennies for the Abbey Roads of music, not a band searching for a "sound" I was lucky to grow up when music was great, and when it wasn't great, I was ignorant of it.

[@michaelolz]

Gosh. This band was so incredible. It’s heartbreaking to watch the wheels falling off and falling off and falling off for so long.

[@briangarrett6510]

18:13 'Drug Store Truck Driving Man' is epic! I can't believe you think that was weak. It was based on an actual story when they played at Grand Ole Opry. Another great episode. Your knowledge and delivery are easy to watch.

[@thomasrobinson182]

Actually it's about their interactions with DJ Ralph Emery during his show on WSM. McGuinn and Parsons wrote it in their hotel room in London one night.

[@strose2002]

This isn't one of the best channels on KZbin, it is the BEST! Great info Matt. I always thought Jesus Is Just Alright was a big hit. I was wrong, but I love that song. Love the cover of the LP too. I'm also going to revisit Dr. Byrd & Mr. Hyde. Thanks Matt. Super job!

[@briangonigal3974]

Your probably thinking of the later Doobie Brothers cover of Jesus Is Just Alright, which was a moderate hit and the version you might occasionally still hear on the radio (The Byrds' identical-sounding version was also a cover, but it was the "original" cover, the first major artist to record the song.)

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks St. Rose!

[@thomasrobinson182]

Dr. Byrds has some of the best material on a Byrds album. Hard rock meets Country. This is my favorite album after the debut.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

I like to call it Cosmic Country. Love that record

[@kebcarter4752]

Sweetheart of the Rodeo was popular as I went into high school and it's what my best friend called me. Your presentations are very good. Thanks! 🍀

[@saml302]

Easy Rider is one of my all time favorite films. First time I heard Wasn't Born to Follow.

[@amandagerrish5892]

In my adolescence, I was a big fan of the Byrds during their folk-rock + psychedelic periods, but I have to confess that the band kind of fell off my radar in the late 60s. It's fascinating, and kinda sad, to learn what happened to the band. I remember that most rock music fans I knew at the time looked down on country music. I guess it was partly the "generation gap": my father listened to country music a lot, so naturally, I hated it! LOL Anyway, Matt, another fascinating history edition on Pop Goes the 60s. Much appreciated. Personally, I'm hoping to see a Small Faces installment in the future -- a greatly under-appreciated band in the U.S.

[@Beerning]

Love this series so amazing to have a laid back person give a in-depth history on one of the most psychedelic groups of a all time

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Berning!

[@michaelrochester48]

I am a big fan of obscure albums like Dr. Byrd and Mr. Hyde, especially lover of the Bayou

[@robertlagan8441]

Agree. Have you listened to TPs Mudcrunch version of the song ?

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

I saw Tom Petty on tour with Dylan in Germany late 80's. He had McGuinn on stage and did several Byrd songs. Years later he did acouple albums as Mudcrutch and did Lover Of the Bayou!! Great song! There's a video of McGuinn with Tom and Mudcrutch doing Lover Of the Bayou!!

[@michaelrochester48]

@@robertlagan8441 yes a great version

[@danielschear556]

My local Cincinnati band "East Orange Express" opened a concert at Cincinnati Gardens for "Three Dog Night" and "The Byrds" on August 8, 1969 ironically the same date as the Manson Murders in L.A. This country rock version of "The Byrds" included John York on bass. That concert was the absolute peak of my musical performance career as I soon moved on to a career in TV News production. Three members of my band "East Orange Express" became longtime integral members of "Pure Prairie League" in 1972.

[@danoblue]

I saw that Byrds concert. Very good, especially 'Jesus is Just Alright' which had a slower, different arrangement to the album version. Preferred the live one. McGuinn, I remember, wore sunglasses and brown leather pants. Clarence White played brilliantly but barely moved a muscle. John York was the second lead singer (after McGuinn) and I wish he had stayed in the band. Gene Parsons was pretty much in the background--his talent showed up in later live shows. It was the only timne I ever saw the Byrds, although I did see McGuinn, Clark and Hillman in San Diego in the late seventies. These men made some very fine music over the years.

[@MrPhilfridge]

Pure Prairie League were a wonderful country rock band , sadly by the end of the 70's they were imho finished though i know they had commercial success . You must be a decent musician to have played with those guys

[@JaySpangler]

Great stuff! Excited now to get to the early 70's. I love all stages of the Byrds, but I have a guilty-pleasure soft spot for the early 70's period! (even including Farther Along, and the 1973 5-Byrd reunion album which often get maligned but I have a really big lust for.)

[@briangonigal3974]

I've always found Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde to be severely underrated, even here. Love the "heavy" version of "This Wheel's On Fire" and "Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man" (""Truck Store Drivin' Man""?) as well!

[@beechwoods1969]

I was just about to say the same. Drug Store Truck Drivin' Man, Nashville West and one of my all-time favourite Byrds tunes, Old Blue. Better than Ballad of Easy Rider in my opinion. I'm looking forward to seeing Part 4. 'Untitled' is a great album, and I probably listen more to the later ones more than the earlies... with the exception of the Reunion album, which is weak... I suspect that I may have more love for the country Byrds than this channel does!

[@brucemason8390]

Be well, my

[@surfwriter8461]

I totally disagree. It's a mediocre album, at best, with a laughably bad title and cover art, featuring only one of the founding Byrds and unworthy of holding the band name. The "heavy" version of "This Wheel's on Fire" is downright leaden, with a brain-numbing fuzz tone guitar overwhelming it. A much better version was done live at, of all places, the Playboy mansion for a small party and can be found on this site. There, the elements mesh so much better and serve the song properly. But the album itself is a travesty that spoils the Byrds' legacy.

[@williambill5172]

Such a great history of The Byrds...thank you. As a side note, I always loved the way Mac Davis covered Lay Lady Lay...thanks always, my friend!

[@andrewarthurmatthews6685]

Excellent , well paced informative video and hugely enjoyable. Well done you !

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Andrew!

[@jts3339]

Thank you for another great video in the Byrds series. I was a huge Byrds fan who stuck with them in every incarnation. I think the addition of Clarence White and Gene Parsons at that time made them a really solid live act with Gene taking up singing duties (while drumming) and Clarence adding virtuoso B-Bender licks in songs like “Jesus is Just Alright”. Another of my favorite songs that you didn’t seem to like was “Drugstore Truck Driving Man” with the closing comment, “This one’s for you, Ralph (Emery), who treated the Byrds with disdain until Emery invited McGuinn onto his cable show “Nashville Now” 17 years later for a “reconciliation” - of sorts. In any case, the Drug Store Truck Driving Man story is interesting enough to include in any Byrds history. This is not a criticism, because I’m really enjoying this series and all of your fine work. Again, thank you!

[@MrPhilfridge]

Love that clip from Nashville Now , Emery 'how's Gram Parsons ' McGuinn 'still dead'

[@Mr.-J-2024]

It's amazing how much information you put into a short 26 minutes, Matt. This has been a great series and looking forward to part four. I find it incredible how a band can lose 4/5ths of its original members, still be called by their original name AND be so good and appreciated throughout all its incarnations. Teriffic band. Really enjoying this series. :- )

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks, Mr. Joe!

[@danoblue]

Look at the current Eagles and you'll find a similar phenomenon.

[@bucksdiaryfan]

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is one of my all time favorite albums. I love artists who try to meld different styles

[@thomasrobinson182]

As a footnote, Roger once referred to the Byrds albums as electronic magazines, with 'Sweetheart' being a special issue on Country music.

[@bucknbronx13]

i remember reading that way back when, and it kinda made sense especially in the "Ballad of Easy Rider" album... songs about traveling... whether a road trip(B. o E. R.), (Tulsa County Blue) or sailing the seas (Jack Tar), or going to the moon ( A., A, & C....weak as it is). Even Dylan's "Baby Blue" has that line "the highway is for gamblers, better use your sense.... etc. Overall a very good album with some tasty guitar playing from Clarence.

[@jsmith294]

What a great series from one of the best channels on KZbin!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, jsmith!

[@bucknbronx13]

Matt, this is a great series, nice going!! I've been a Byrds fan since the mid-60s. My very first concert ever was in '67 @Fordham U. in the Bronx, w/Buffy St. Marie opening. I'll bet i've seen them 25-30 times in all their incarnations after that. Every lineup had something(s) good going for it. McGuinn's vocals/guitar was the one consistent element throughout but Clarence White's guitar work starting with the Younger than Yesterday album was unique and stellar. C.W's lead vocals were damn good too, as were Gene Parsons'. Looking forward to part #4. Thank you !!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks, Claude!

[@bucknbronx13]

@@popgoesthe60s52 Yeah man, looking forward to part IV. thanks.

[@BeatlemadMike9]

All of your band histories are very well done and i look forward to them. First time I heard "SweetHeart" a few years ago was on a hot sweaty summer day. So now, on the first hot summer day of the year, I play it. It sets a certain mood

[@joelsdiy9469]

I think the Byrds were a very important band as far as influence and inspiration. They also sound like they had a lot of turmoil those last years. Always have to wonder how good these bands might of been if they stayed away from drugs. Thanks Matt for another great video!

[@travisjohns744]

Gram left this world to soon. Just imagine how different music would be if Gram would have lived. just like Curt Cobain he died at 27

[@Tapp-Mourningwood]

I hated country music until I heard Gram. His version of it made me appreciate and like other artists like Hank Williams and George Jones. I first heard Gram on college radio from Humboldt State University back in the late 80s. The DJ gave an interesting back story including Gram being in the Byrds and his death and it's bizarre aftermath. The DJ played "Grievous Angel" then "$1000 Wedding" and the Flying Burrito Bros. version of "To Love Somebody". I was into Metal and Punk and still am, but his heartbreaking voice made me a fan. I heard of the Byrds and liked their songs such as "Three Miles High", "Turn Turn Turn", and "Wasn't Born To Follow". I seeked out Sweetheart of the Rodeo because it was the only album Gram did, and thought it was strange the DJ didn't play any Gram era Byrds after mentioning it on the radio show.

[@SteppesTV]

Just blasted through The Byrds parts 1 to 3...need 4.....of course!!!...carry on, good Sir!

[@gregmullanax4986]

Great video series. The Byrds were a great band. Thank you for these videos!!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Greg!

[@RP-zr9rw]

Byrds will always have a place in rock/pop history. Inventive and original sound. In this period they appeared disjointed and at loose ends. Sweetheart Rodeo is a welcome find and with opening Dylan cover track. Easy Rider “comeback” worked out. Thanks again.

[@michaelrochester48]

This Wheels on Fire Later got recorded by Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll of the British group the Trinity and later became the theme song for the UK series absolutely fabulous

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

So far so good!! SHOTR is actually pretty good. I got the legacy edition. You get bonus cuts like the songs where Gram Parsons sang lead. I recorded a cd version inserting the Parson lead vocals songs the way the album was intended. I have the book Timeless Flight that came out in 2011. 1200 pages!! Trying to keep up with there history is something!! Looking forward to part 4!! SHOTR did open the door for country rock bands that followed. Poco, Flying Burrito Brothers, Eagles, Pure Prairie League, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airman to name a few. Even the Grateful Dead.

[@750drums]

I did the same as you. It's a much better album that way, isn't it ?

[@oldermusiclover]

that B Bender is the most beautiful sounding guitar I ever heard in my 60 some years so glad Clarances wife let Marty have it

[@petergrattan3509]

...watched all three, excellent.

[@namesameasu]

Long time Byrds fan, but first time hearing many of these facts. Thanks for the in-depth info.

[@Porter_Strange]

Best band of all time. I was also wondering do you think you'll ever look at the Velvet Underground? Lou Reed was a big fan of McGuinn

[@rjpg]

of all time?!? ok, yeah right

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Yes, I do plan on a VU series at some point. They are on my very long list!

[@CaptainCharismaY2J]

Where is the evidence of Lou Reed speaking highly of the Byrds? I would be interested in reading up on it.

[@Porter_Strange]

@@CaptainCharismaY2J he never said much but he did think highly of McGuinn

[@danielschear556]

I liked Lou Reed's portrayal as a staff recording studio producer in Paul Simon's 1980 movie, "One Trick Pony."👍👏🤗

[@knightvisioniixv]

Sweetheart is a great album. I have no qualms about admitting that my preference is for every release preceding it; I still love the album nonetheless. Agree with Matt that most of the album seems proportionally higher on the Country side of things than rock (or country rock), which, understandably, alienated The Byrds' staunch rock fans. The Flying Burrito Brothers' formation can be traced right back to this album (with Parsons' departure as starting point.) I haven't gone beyond FBB's first two albums, but those are good. That, of course, is another story. Matt had more criticisms concerning the band's output this time around; He made me laugh with the 'Awful gospel vocals' comment. I've always thought that Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde was underrated, if not spectacular. Same goes for Ballad of Easy Rider. Looking forward to the concluding part of this excellent series!

[@bjornerikroth]

The Sweetheart of the rodeo 50th anniversary tour is probably the best I've heard McGuinn (and Hillman!) sound in many years! Lots of clips here on YT, like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/p3bSo5ilqNKIg7c

[@dennisdemark8151]

The Byrds FOREVERMORE 🎤🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🎸🥁

[@groverbaker6404]

Great job Matt!! Every byrds lps is great to me..even the asylum and together stuff..they really are the best band in America! Awesome..thanks

[@soulagent79]

It took me a while to get into it, but through "Sweetheart Of The Rodeo" I discovered Gram Parsons and Clarence White. Especially Parsons has a very interesting background. Oozing talent, while coming from a rich but highly disfunctional family.

[@docsavage8640]

He was a poseur. His talent seldom made it onto the vinyl to back up his pose.

[@margaretross9150]

@@docsavage8640 Yours is a minority opinion. He wasn't posing; he truly loved country music. Jock Bartley called him a musical encyclopedia and a very nice person.

[@Nazz1967]

Love the Sweetheart of the Rodeo line up ,so cool looking .

[@robert-jeanray2701]

Really enjoying this ride. On to the next segment.

[@tomgebarowski8156]

Sweetheart of the Rodeo wound up being a classic...the album that ushered in country rock! Gram Parsons was very influential...

[@docsavage8640]

False: it isn't country rock, it's just country; also other acts were already doing country rock. The Byrds themselves had already done country rock as well

[@michaelrochester48]

One of the songs on “Dr Byrds” (Drug Store Truck…) included a diss to Nashville disc jockey Ralph Emery…Host of the 1980s TNN show Nashville Now, for attacking Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Coincidentally Roger McGuinn appeared on the Nashville Now show back in the 80s and they discussed that song where Ralph Emery was given the bird!

[@wonsworld61]

Brilliant as ever, thank you Matt. I never knew that the characters of Wyatt and Billie were based on McGuinn and Crosby. That lil tid-bit has managed to by-pass my knowledge for decades. I guess we are always learning. :)

[@Jakelyn7133]

I ❤️ The Byrds, Hillman and McGuinn.

[@benmercadante5774]

Great job parsing out all these details, an excellent job documenting such a seminal band and history of exceptional musicians. It was the Byrds cover, 'My Back Pages' that spun my young head around for the first time, realizing what was in the air at that time. I was into their music, but being a bit younger than that movement, it was bands like Spirit, Doors, Cream, JA, Hendrix etc. that caught my full attention. But originally, it was 5 D and Byrds Greatest hits that kicked it all off. Later, i would get back to their country sound, and further realize the roots aspect of their music, and this commentator is very good at following down the iconic influences, over their history. One thing I was somewhat unaware of, was the depth of corporate control that they, and i assume many young artists had to deal with, yet still producing incredible sounds. It's like when you hear the length of the minutia surrounding it all, puts it in a different light. Nevertheless, it was true that some of the corporate people were of exceptional talent also, and enhanced production and process many times. Also the hierarchy of control and funds sounded out of hand at times, which as all these stories come out years later, and with many other bands of that era...seems contrary to the perceived laid -back communal ideology that was depicted in the music, such is the nuts and bolts of real life.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you for watching this series, Ben!

[@davidg2122]

Great mini series

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, David - I hope you tune in for part 4!

[@1rwjwith]

Amazing historical video! I admit I was a huge Byrds fan through YOUNGER THAN YESTERDAY then I pretty much checked out on them till UNTITLED (album) which I am sure you will cover in part 4! I loved the band on that album, Clarence White was incredible , died much too young in 1973. Anyway your video filled in a lot of the gaps! I liked a lot of Sweetheart Of The Rodeo but then the next 3 Albums I kind of avoided, though there were a few great things in retrospect and a Lot of filler. In reality McGuinn is an incredible innovative musician but not in songwriting terms but he had his great moments! Thanks look forward to part 4.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for watching the first three!

[@denisrodrigues1455]

In my opinion, from the last Byrds' career years, in the seventies, there's a special song called "Chestnut mare" and that 1973's original band return album. Of course, in this album, there's not that first years' air anymore, but, anyway, it is special to listen or "see" Roger, David, Chris, Gene and Michael together again.

[@djs5074]

Thanks for another brilliant installment of the Byrds history. I'll be looking into the Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde album.

[@RecessMonkeys]

Now I'm looking up the Mexicali Brass. Thanks for all you do.

[@EdKazO-Vision]

I live for Sweetheart and Ballad. Ballad always transports me to a better place. Great report sir. Thanks.

[@kirklynde3810]

What masterful, balanced and informative presentations on the Byrds! I have gained a great deal of insight into that chameleon of a band - the Byrds, through watching this series. I am another fan who wasn't born to follow the band into the more countrified incarnation.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thanks for watching, Kirk!

[@john_milner]

Here we leave The Byrds at the very end of the 60s ... Like so many great 60s bands ... will they evolve or disappear with the new decade ... you left us hanging Matt ... looking forward to your take on the 70s Byrds ... ☮✌

[@BaconTomatoCheese]

I have to admit, I wasn’t much of a fan of the later “country” Byrds at first, but it did grow on me eventually - especially after I heard “Untitled”-which doubtless will be discussed in part four of this series. Great job as always - taking a deep dive on these albums, lots of details that I hadn’t heard before. Keep it coming!

[@edwardmulholland7912]

You have done it again, great video. I’ve had over 25 years of listening to “Sweetheart of the rodeo” and I’ve grown to truly love the album - to the point where I hold it as part of my own personal holy trinity of the band that includes “Younger than yesterday” and “Notorious Byrd Brother”. “Sweetheart of the rodeo” is today (bizarrely) the most acclaimed Byrds album for many outside of their first album and compilations - probably because it’s been promoted the most and because of the Gram Parsons “legend”, and also because of that 50th anniversary tour McGuinn and Hillman did 4 years ago. I think that the original album got the mix of singers correct. There has been a ton of Parson’s lead vocal outtakes released on box sets and other release’s of the “Sweetheart” album - and that’s great. Gram Parsons was good - but he got well above his station, at one point he wanted to fire McGuinn! McGuinn was understandably weary after his experiences with Crosby and I think McGuinn probably used the lawsuit from Lee Hazlewood to his own advantage on the album - thank God he did! It’s The Byrds gone country, not a Gram Parsons album. After 6 groundbreaking albums in a row it was always going to be a struggle for the band, but they came up with what I consider their most underrated album “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde”. Yes there is some filler, but all their albums have their fillers except for “Notorious Byrd Brothers”. For me “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” is almost as strong as “5D” - except for the fact that there was no “Eight miles high” on it. Another thing was the fact that Gary Usher didn’t produce it. Gary was the best producer The Byrds ever had, I like what Bob Johnson did - but it just wasn’t as good as Gary Usher. A guy who’s channel I like - Richard McCook - said that if they had replaced the last song on “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” with the outtake “Stanley’s Song” it would have been a far stronger album. He’s right. “Ballad of Easy Rider” was the same story as “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde”, some of the outtakes were stronger than what made the album, but it’s still a wonderful album in it’s own right - and at least the production was better than “Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde” - and Clarence White was an astonishing musician who made a huge difference on those 2 albums and suddenly they became a shit hot live band as “Live at the Fillmore - February 1969” proves. Even at their worst The Byrds were still doing good work. Enjoyed this, Thank you.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate the comments, Edward!

[@chrismcgovern1647]

LUV the videos on The Byrds, Matt! Great to learn details I never previously knew!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Chris! I'm working on part 4 now!

[@gamoonbat]

You are very charitable to Roger McGuinn about recording over Gram's vocals on "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." Roger was really pissed at Gram for walking out on their tour, though. That was the explanation I am familiar with.

[@syater]

Not a favorite period of the Byrds, but as you indicate, Clarence White's playing always pulled the band up a few notches. Quite a few years ago (pre-Internet) a friend sent me a video of the Byrds live, I'm guessing 1971-1972, with Skip Battin on bass, Gene Parsons on drums and Clarence White, the three of them playing intense, longish instrumental jams that absolutely cooked. Not a side of The Byrds I was familiar with, but it was fun to watch. It must be on KZbin somewhere. Looking forward to part 4. Thanks !

[@Thadmotor1044]

With Altamont , then Sweethearts that blew the roof off . Jackson Browne , Working mans Dead , Dylan's Nashville Skyline and Country rock that followed is still favorite listening today . Led to the Eagles and so many great artists too numerous to mention . Stones Sticky Fingers still country rocks us .

[@shaynebarr3971]

Another very interesting installment Matt, nice work. SOTR was the album that really opened the door for me to country music, something that i was not a fan of at all. Clarence White's guitar style was a big reason for this. Consequently i then ended up exploring the Burritos work which i am a big fan of now, then naturally Gram Parsons solo work.. The Byrds1997 CD reissues are great for the extra tracks and the production is great with a nice sound, i have all of those from Tambourine Man to Dr Byrds and would highly recommend these to anyone who doesn't already have them in their collection. If you let the disc's keep playing after the last track there are hidden interviews and studio chatter that appear after a short pause.

[@spaclynotorious3288]

This particular chapter of the Byrds history connects the dots for me in terms of the transition in their musical direction. I actually saw them during their promotion of "Dr. Byrds and Mr. Hyde" and they were tight with flawless harmony. I wonder if "Wasn't born to follow" was one of the last songs Carole King wrote with her ex- husband and lyricist Gary Goffin. "Goin Back which appeared on the same album as you noted was also theirs and was indicative of a stylistic change as well, especially after a string of successful brill building hits;"Up on the roof", "Will you love me tomorrow, ect.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I didn't consider that those 2 songs were possibly the last songs King and Goffin wrote together. Thanks for the comment!

[@OutOnTheTiles]

Oh man I’m loving these Byrds episodes. Learning a lot about them. Thanks to easy access using Spotify I’ve become a huge Byrds fan over the past 3 years. When I was growing up in the 80/90’s and collecting records/CDs I just had their greatest hits. But they are so much more then that. I really like all their later stuff from 68-73…. I’ve come to really appreciate it along with the early stuff of course. The Byrds made some terrible discussions along the way and it makes me appreciate a band like Zeppelin who had an incredible manager in Peter Grand and such a great producer in Jimmy. Page and Grant had a vision for Zeppelin and they stuck to it. It’s hard to find a better organized band like Zeppelin. They did it the proper way right from the start. Cheers

[@MrKaywyn]

A remarkable episode.

[@martinsplichal1581]

Cheers Matt. Some good material from those years. I always enjoyed Ballad of Easy Rider and I wasn't Born to Follow is a stand out for me, even on the Easy Rider soundtrack. I remember buying Preflyte in the early 90's used at the old Academy book shop on 17th St, just West of Broadway. They had some bins of used stuff in the back that were always worth checking. Thanks.

[@johncampbell1152]

Matt, I couldn’t love your work more!

[@Benji306]

Matt, thank you for making the effort and putting all these vids together. I know so many appreciate them and learning more about bands/music we thought we knew so much about but are learning more as a result. Cheers!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Much thanks, Junior!

[@AndrewBell]

Dr Byrds is the best late-era Byrds album - no filler at all

[@wyliesmith4244]

While to my ears the Byrds stopped making great music, you, Matt, are still making great podcasts. I bought "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" when it came out late in the summer of '68 and instantly refretted it. Personal taste of course, but generally speaking I loathe steel guitar (unless someone like Rusty Young is changing the sound to fit into a rock band), and I traded this one in pretty quickly - pasrticularly given that debut albums by Steve Miller, QMS, Spirit, Steppenwolf, and others came out that summer and fueled my r & r craving. Nonetheless, I bought "Cr. Byrds" when it came out. I found it a bit spotty, but songs like 'King Apathy' and 'Bad Night at rhe Whiskey' are still favorites of mine, and I quite like the country-ish 'Old Blue' as well. And I agree with your assessment of the cover: unlike covers of the first five albums which were worth ogling, this cover is kinda repulsive. Speaking of covers, the cover for "Ballad of Easy Rider' is worse to my eyes. The beige is blah at best and the picture of a motorcycle rider would only work if you could recognize the rider as someone from "Easy Rider." But I really like this album. To my surprise, songs like 'Gunga Din,' 'Fido,' 'Jack Tarr,' and 'There Must Be Someone' all touched my musical soul. I enjoy this record, CD actually, every time that I put it on. And Speaking of CDs, Bob Irwin's remastering of the Byrds' catalogue, complete with bonus tracks, enhances my enjoyment of the band. But "Preflyte" was my favorite issue of this time period. Even though a lot of it sounds a bit thin, the thinness emphasizes how good gene Clark's songwriting was, and I find it stronger, songwise, than the first two official releases. But mine is only one opinion.

[@blackpeach]

YESSSSS! PART 3! Salute to the upcoming part 4!!!!!!

[@gaspersignorelli3724]

From Lloyd Green's opening riff on You Ain't Going Nowhere I loved Sweetheart of the Rodeo. It was as strange, exotic and shocking to me as first hearing BB King, Hendrix, the Beano album and Muddy Waters. Everything latently country in me came to the fore and it changed, opened up, how I looked at America.

[@msfl54]

I grew up in the country but was big Beatles/Stones Byrds and Dylan fan, but I got back into Country when Dylan did, so I naturally took to Rodeo. But I wouldn’t trade the Easy Rider movie Byrd songs for anything done at that time.

[@BobJones-dq9mx]

Excellent tutorial! Thanks for not speaking so fast! I purchased "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" in 1968. Yes it is an excellent album, but for some reason it has never worked for me.I have listened to many country songs which I have found to be more entertaining.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Bob - stay tuned for part four!

[@MaureenDeVries-wd9mh]

There's a lot of filler on the Byrds' 21:29 music .

[@Aceface101]

these videos are a priceless contribution, Matt. Thanks for your thorough research and your engaging presentation, love your work.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Much appreciated, Aceface!

[@Flibbybibby]

Wile'll meet again is not a weak song in my opinion, it's actually one of my favorites.

[@michaelolz]

How many musicians have covered "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue"??? I keep running into them!

[@That_Boi_E]

Thanks for another great video Matt I never knew about the Live 1968 in Rome I’ll have to check it out soon!

[@yarazooom]

LOVING THIS so mush. GREAT JOB. did you research Johnny Rogan for all your great details? or Pamela Des Barres? I learned that ALOT of radio songs were Byrds but I didn't know it. they lucked out from EASY RIDER by using former Byrds & Hendrix songs on the sound track. when we went to see it at theater, it was devastating. after the last scene when hippies got killed, the whole theater jump up screaming ''F-YOU' man'' It was depressing & freaked out that 'flower children' were hated that much

[@billleary5779]

Great series Matt! Love this period of the Byrds. There are definitely some weak spots on these records but they are outweighed by the strong material in my opinion. Looking forward to your next video on this topic. Thanks for sharing!

[@abbdabs67]

really enjoying this series the byrds going through a period of reconstruction

[@terryprill2510]

Ralph Emery buried them in Nashville. His word put a knife in the back of Nashville acceptance and it would take years later for the Nashville industry to really appreciate what this album did to promote other cross over to non-country radio play.

[@paulcarpenter999]

McGuinn was a guest on Emery's TV Talk show in 1990, and they seemed to have buried the hatchet by then.

[@terryprill2510]

@@paulcarpenter999 Yes it would take this long for Emery to bring Roger on his show. In contrast Emery offered earlier appearances to Gene Clark who stayed true to his style.

[@Lee.Higginbotham]

They got even with Ralph with there song Drug Store Truck Driving Man. At the end they say this one's for you Ralph!! 😂😂😂

[@terryprill2510]

@@Lee.Higginbotham A lot of anger in that song toward Ralph. Well deserved for sure. Thank for sharing the background to this song.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Terry for that excellent addition to this segment. The Byrds put a lot on the line to "go Nashville" at the height of hippiedom. They didn't deserve the criticism.

[@nickwebb9290]

Absolutely fascinating video. Having lost faith when their ‘Sweetheart’ album came out, I found you’re taking us through these later works has been interesting and educational. Thank you 🙏

[@popgoesthe60s52]

I appreciate you watching, Nick!

[@myoungk]

Props to you for finding pictures of every one of those short-lived 1968 lineups!

[@tiptopdadddy]

Ballad Of Easy Rider is the album Melcher was working on during the Manson murders. Tom ONeil talks about it in his book Chaos but I’ve never heard any of The Byrd’s mention it.

[@cultfilmfreakreviews]

Clarence White, to me, was the Mick Taylor of The Byrds... he gave them a shot of virtuosity... my favorite countryish guitar player..... RIP

[@davidwysocki1004]

Another illuminating episode (part 3) of the History of the Byrds. Illuminating for me because I was totally unaware of this "phase" of the Byrds. All of my favorite Byrd songs were those singles and albums that preceded the period represented by this part 3 History. I did not recognize any of the songs in Matt's narrative and must have tuned out those songs in the late 1960s, or maybe just never heard any of them on the local rock and roll AM stations of the time. Thanks, again, Matt, for a very entertaining presentation. I am looking forward to your final History of the Byrds installment.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, David!

[@donkeyboy585]

I was looking forward to hearing your take on this era of the Byrds. One of the great stories (whether it’s true or not) was Keith Richards supposedly Telling Graham to take it easy with the drugs. When Keith Richards tells you to slow your drug roll…(unfortunately he didn’t listen)

[@christopher9152]

Sweatheart was a classic for anyone who even remotely appreciates country music. And again, the Byrds were leaders in moving in that direction. By all accounts, too, they were never much of a live band until most of the original members were gone and they added Clarence White, etc. in the late 60s/early 70s

[@docsavage8640]

😆 🤣 😂 anyone who appreciated country music would hear Sweetheart and say, "eh, pretty good impression of the real thing"

[@MarkP]

I was waiting for this video. Sweetheart of the Rodeo is my favorite Byrds album. I love their earlier hits but to me this album is great from start to finish. It also got me into Gram and Hillman's band The Flying Burrito Brothers which is also some really good country-rock music.

[@scottbrown4361]

I’ll have to look into the string bender - sounds neat

[@sledzeppelin]

Another excellent series. Super informative and fun to watch. You're doing great work!

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Thank you, Sled!

[@leperelamisere1368]

I largely prefer the movie version of "Ballad of Easy rider" than that off the Byrds' LP. And "It's alright Ma" is a stunning piece of guitar playing by Mc Guinn. Byrdfans may have been discontent with the musical turning point that "Notorious" represented, but they had had warnings on the previous two LPs, with such titles as "Time between", "The girl with no name", "Old John Robertson", etc ... In fact it was mainly Bluegrass, and Hillman's influence must have weighed far more than what is usually related. The man was discrete, but efficient ... 😶

[@thesurfhotrodscene4060]

No mentioning of Gary Usher here ? He played a main role in making these albums great. Check out the 2 Gary Usher Byrds interviews on KZbin. Superb stuff.

[@popgoesthe60s52]

Of course I mention Usher. What video were you watching?

[@thesurfhotrodscene4060]

The Unique Gary Usher Byrds interviews part 1 and 2. Don't miss them. Gary was the real hero (according to me), a fantastic guy).

[@popgoesthe60s52]

@@thesurfhotrodscene4060 Yes, those are very good!