The Byrds and The Zombies Tell the Story of a 60s Psychedelic CLASSIC | Professor of Rock

[@rubicon-oh9km]

This piece means a lot to me for several reasons Adam: I love the Byrds so much and 8 Miles High might be my favorite song from them. You spoke about you and your father sharing this brought tears to my eyes because I also shared this song with my 17 year old son a few years back and he loves it as well. I hope one day when I'm gone he can look back at that memory like you do with your father.

[@brucewightman5168]

HEART WARMING BUDDY ROCK ON

[@Thadmotor1044]

so much more than 8 miles high

[@lumbertiger27]

You ever listen to the Byrds live with an entire vinyl side playing 8 Miles High?

[@rubicon-oh9km]

@@lumbertiger27 Yep! Amazing.

[@Wonderhussy]

Awww I love you and your son!! May your relationship thrive ❤️❤️❤️

[@jimlowell5251]

With all the reportedly bad blood between Crosby and McGuinn over the years, it's good to hear them speak so highly of each other's musical talent.

[@MsThebeMoon]

Crosby has bad blood with a few legends, doesn't he? Gotta luv him.

[@patricias5122]

Pity they downplayed Gene Clark's contributions, though.

[@normatible9795]

​@@MsThebeMoon yes. With neil young and graham nash

[@bySterling]

Lord how does Roger look so young?! Music my friends MUSIC

[@brucewightman5168]

who says drugs/alcohol are bad lmao

[@mathewfullerton8577]

@@brucewightman5168 Just look closely at Crosby. THAT says it. 😂

[@brucewightman5168]

@@mathewfullerton8577 ok what are you guys sayn yeah they were wild till about 35 40 who cares .. Crosby has done rehab .. .. THE GUY is going to be 80 yrs old aug 14/21 .

[@brucewightman5168]

@@mathewfullerton8577 you mean IF I told you,,, you could be a rock'n roll star AT 19 money ,babes ,toys , everything ,take care of ALL FAMILY MEMBERS .. BUT,, YOU WILL DIE AT 45 from self destruction lol WHAT SAY YOU ... DON'T LIE LOL

[@MrLefrog1]

@@brucewightman5168 And Roger will be 79 in July.

[@nicolesaunders2312]

Yeah my dad graduated high school in 1966 and my mom 1968 so growing up i got to hear some of their music and really enjoyed it. And then i myself was lucky enough to grow up during all the great 80s music so i got to hear the best of both worlds 😊👍🏻

[@submandave1125]

Glad you hit on the harmonies, as this is an example of a song where the harmonies are as central to the sound as the melody, to the point where it's almost impossible to tell where the actual melody lies. This is the same dynamic that makes so many songs on Grateful Dead's seminal albums "Working Man's Dead" and "American Beauty" so engaging. I dare anyone to sing the actual melody to "Uncle John's Band."

[@allenf.5907]

You captured both Rod Argent and David Crosby talking about the labeling of music - which is what puts it into a box. The best groups were out to experiment and see where they could go with things. While some of that may be returning with musicians, now the "producers" think that they are the stars and thus everything more-or-less sounds the same. You had some GREAT interviews here. Well questioned and you don't talk over them. Cheers.

[@raccoonlittlebear6476]

Leo Kottke has an excellent version of Eight Miles High, that I would highly recommend.🎸🎶🎵🎼🎶

[@MrMoggyman]

Absolutely beautiful Adam. Beautiful. The harmonic melody in 8 Miles High is an experience that takes you onto another dimensional plane musically. So interesting to hear Roger McGuinn tell where the meld came from, and David Crosby is right, the meld of other musical forms generates a new originality that takes you on a journey to another place musically. The Byrds found that place. My goodness what a superb job David Crosby did of the melody in 8 Miles High. Astonishingly beautiful. The work of a creative genius. That song carries you on a musical journey to create a musical experience of mind and body. Close your eyes, and listen to it. How does it make you feel? It is something beyond what you hear, it is inside.....a sense of joy. Hendrix was the same, but subtly different to The Byrds. All these artists reached beyond your ears with the music to touch your soul. It was the same with much of 60's and 70's music. No commercialism, but each group and even individual artists sharing and developing musical forms and sounds that would be with people all of their lives, young and old, creating new and incredibly diverse musical masterpieces. It was a melting pot that created a multitude of expressions of sound that captivated society. So glad I was alive in that time to witness it. Truly the time of my life, and the musical experience of a lifetime. We may never see its like again, mores the pity.

[@professormacdeezy]

Gene Clark wrote great songs, McGuinn had the guitar sound, Crosby the harmonies

[@donaldkress5760]

And that is exactly why they were so great.

[@maureendevries1904]

I agree

[@frankdevries6962]

Grew up with that music, the best of the best.

[@MichaelDoherty1981]

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is beyond brilliant

[@RickNowels1]

Great piece on a great song. One of my favorites. Otherworldly.

[@jamesmcgrath1952]

I'll be 69 in June. Lol I feel so damn old watching this.

[@timbradley135]

Have you done anything on Moby Grape? I had such high hopes for them. Great songs, great playing, great singing. What else do you need? Oh, yeah-harmony and stability within the group!

[@robertshapiro3733]

Moby Grape laid down that great song “Omaha”.

[@louisymavine4908]

Hi profassor what is the origin of what you call rock. I listen to rock and most of the time what i hear is blues do please tell me. Uk

[@alansilverman8500]

Listen to the REST of the lyrics...!

[@NavyVetJack]

I’m 72 yrs. old and grew up with this music. I know I sound like an “Old Man”, but the 60’s & 70’s had the best music ever. I was 15 when the Beatles came to the U.S.! What a Great time to be alive. Sorry about your Dad passing, Great that he got to see your success. This was Great.

[@bellinghammond]

"the 60’s & 70’s had the best music ever." That's all you had to say...cuz it's true

[@georgesotiroff5080]

Dear Jack Erie, I’ll be 72 in six more weeks. Yes, the 60s and early 70s had the best music. I grew up on the northern side of Lake Erie.

[@kenf5189]

Soon to be 72 and it's true we had great music from many genres, Folk. Rock, Doo Wop all being played on the radio.It was an explosion of music and we all were so lucky to be hit with it. Remember getting your first transistor radio? Mine was a Toshiba.

[@pwk22]

I'm 65, so I'm not far behind you. Here's my formula for when music peaked: "The best music ever made was in (year I was a high school senior). It was pretty good for 6 or 7 more years. Since them, everything has been unlistenable crap". Plug and play.

[@jameslingle4275]

71. 14 when Beatles on ES. So many great songs! To me Satisfaction was a monumental turning point. Influence of this song can’t be overestimated.

[@unclejustin7267]

Try to interview the Moody Blues if possible. They were a defining influence on my life.

[@QueerAndUnplugged]

David Crosby is the absolute MASTER of harmonizing. His eclectic harmonies is what made Crosby, Stills & Nash so incredibly beautiful to listen to.

[@weedywet]

while there's no question George Harrison loved The Byrds, Roger McGuinn has said he got the Rickenbacker 12 string after seeing George Harrison with one, not the other way round.

[@andyinoregon]

Yep, McGuinn says he got one after seeing Harrison playing it in the 1964 film "A Hard Day's Night."

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

A lot of guys started wearing turtlenecks and blazers after seeing George and John wearing them in A Hard Days Night. That movie was actually hugely influential.

[@LightningDogg]

In public I stated running away from mobs of screaming girls after I saw that movie.

[@brianbiechele1958]

Always loved Crosby's telling of the band leaving the theater after seeing AHDN. Swinging around a light pole and dreaming of the r&r life.

[@brianbiechele1958]

Turtleneck dickie. My brother had them.

[@LivingOnCash]

I just watched Rick Beato's video of the current top ten hits. Then I watched this one. While watching Rick's video I kept think that these songs while pleasant enough, were totally forgettable with meaningless lyrics. No one will be talking about them 50 years from now. When I think about music from the 60's and 70's I really believe that it was a period that can never be duplicated because there was so much creation going on. Like Crosby said, music that took you on a journey. Today's music is pretty much just background noise. I still have my stereo system from the 70's and my album collection. I will still take out an album and sit in a chair listening to the music and reading the liner notes or just close my eyes and the music carry me away somewhere. I don;t think you can do that with today's music. Partly because they don't make albums anymore but also I think because people have a much shorter attention span.

[@Mrbeahz1]

Excellent! I too just went from Beato's Top Ten review to this. I agree 100% - no-one will be listening to "Driver's License" in 50 years.

[@patriciamillin1977]

Today’s music is mostly short-lived, like most other products in this fast-living throw-away consumer society. Everything is kept as temporary as possible, so that people just keep on buying. There are a few outstanding artists today who have survived the test of time, as well as a few good songs that might last into the future, but a lot of the time it’s just record companies churning out forgettable songs by forgettable artists. There’s nothing new anymore. The 60s were an exciting time because everything was new: music, fashion, attitude, ideology. Like Chris Hillman once said “it was like everything just exploded onto the scene” (paraphrasing, I don’t remember it verbatim).

[@steveneardley7541]

There's a lot of people reconnecting with the music of the 60s and 70s. It is amazing to me that most of it isn't at all dated. For instance, all these people are listening to Sounds of Silence, and its message is more relevant now than ever. Then I listened to the Disturbed version--plodding, emotionally dead, the lyrics submerged beneath all this ugliness. And people were comparing the two??? Who are you kidding?

[@tessjuel]

@@Mrbeahz1 Keep in mind that we only remember the highlights of the past. "Driver License" isn't likely to become a classic but it's certainly better than most of the Top 10 hits from the 1970s and 1980s. Even so, there are a lot of reasons why it's so much harder to create a classic today. I could list a lot of them but that would be a very long post. There is one factor though that I notice so well myself all the time. It's the background noise. 20 years ago I could easily do a fully acoustic gig in a room big enough for a 200+ audience. Today that's simply not possible, I need a small PA to be heard. Maybe my voice has lsot some power (I don't think it has) but my guitar sure hasn't. Back then it could make itself heard in such a setting, today - no way. You don't usually notice how the background noise has gradually increased everywhere you go but when you play it's easy to notice how much less dynamic range you can use. So you have to flatten out the music, loosing much of the contrast between soft and loud that used to be such a vital part of what made music exciting. It's not jsut me btw, just google "Loudness war" and you'll get a ton of information. There's nothing us musicians or the music industry can do about it unfortunately. Whether we are old survivors of the past or new wannabes, we jsut have to try to adapt and make the most of what we still have.

[@WeatherWeasel66]

@@tessjuel if you say music of the 60's and the 70's and lump them together, i would not disagree. But trying to lump the 70's with the 80's is as grievous a foul as it would be to offer a guest either a slice of chocolate frosted cake or a slice of fecal covered cake.

[@AlbertNurick]

Another tremendous show. You do a wonderful job of making me want to re-explore music I’ve been hearing my entire life. Well done, Professor.

[@Williamgarity]

I am almost 70 years old and can remember the night I heard this ''Brand new song by the Byrds" on the radio, the day it came out. I still play it, on my stereo, my guitar, and even on my ukulele.

[@brucegwynn8509]

I think you were born to do this, you connect well with all artist and you let them talk and share their story , cool beans

[@BitcoinWillFixEverything]

I agree, he is a very likeable chap as well

[@steveclarke1764]

Adam is the best rock journalist ever. He comes prepared to every interview and regularly has interviewees blown away at his depth of knowledge about their material.

[@jamessydnor7591]

What Bruce said

[@impalaman9707]

When Pink Floyd came out with "Interstellar Overdrive", I thought that was a further progression on "Eight Miles High"--more like "Eight THOUSAND Miles High", because now were REALLY leaving the earth's atmosphere and doing some real exploring, and just hope that we don't get burned on re-entry

[@geoffpollock6892]

As maybe, but having first heard it way back then Interstellar Overdrive consciously or sub consciously ripped its main riff off the theme to the BBC tv comedy series Steptoe & Son. It has always been my belief and recently Waters stated it had similarities. Probably the closest Rob Grainer is going to get to having a credit. Mind you, fantastic comedy series, "Piper ATGOD" still one of the best Floyd albums and I haven't heard 8 Miles High for decades but really, really enjoyed it at the time!

[@donolinger6904]

More like "2,000 Light Years From Home." Distance wise anyway not that they sound alike.

[@samdill36]

50's, 60's and 70's were a golden age of music

[@brahmburgers]

You Really Got Me by the Kinks was, to me, the first punk song. honorable mention: 96 Tears (which annoyed me). Oh, and Louie Louie, of course.

[@VallinSFAS]

The Byrds were also a huge influence on Jon Anderson and Chris Squire in forming YES!

[@kudzu01]

Still gives me chills to listen to this masterpiece. The Byrds were ahead of their time, but just far enough ahead to take the rest of us with them. Thanks for this video.

[@judithrix-brown8790]

Gene Clark never got the recognition he deserved. His voice still haunts me.

[@peach495]

"No other" is one of my favorite albums.

[@Thadmotor1044]

I loved his solo LPs . booze , many good soldiers do fall

[@rogermurray8553]

You knew there was a time limit on this great band after Gene left. A genius of a lyricist/vocalist, it was like losing John AND Paul. Amazing they stayed at a high creative level through Notorious Byrd Bros but as they flew headlong into the 70's and losing altitude , The Byrds evolved into something truly horrific, a kind of Ten Years After, American-style! PS. Eight Miles High was written by Gene Clark and Brian Jones. Crosby, according to Gene's autobiography, wrote one line.

[@scottmckenna9164]

I spent a couple nights in Bonner Springs, Kansas (Gene's hometown) He has a relative that worked at O'Riley auto parts apparently. I love the Byrds. I grew my hair at Millbrook N.Y. high school and wore it like the drummer's.

[@edwardmulholland7912]

Gene is finally starting to get the recognition that his work demands and his stock will continue to grow.

[@TacoKicker]

The Zombies are so great. "Odessey and Oracle" is a phenomenal record.

[@ericdailey8587]

Nice video. I saw McGuinn - I think in 2015 - doing a solo show. He told stories, and quite frankly, that was the best part of the show. Before the rest of the icons of the 60s pass away, it would be great to document their stories about the songs and albums they made, plus of their experiences as music artists. Some great and interesting stuff out there. Thanks for what you do.

[@daf827]

Excellent documentary. Terrific interviews with McGuinn, Crosby, and the Zombies. I love hearing the stories behind the music, as they used to say on VH1.

[@SatansSimgma]

Even the bubble gum music of the era was more imaginative, explored different ideas, played with chords, and rhythms more then top 40 musicians now.

[@edryba4867]

...And they knew the difference between “then” and “than”!

[@adamziolkowski2549]

@@edryba4867 I agree, but older people suck at grammar. But I guess people my age do too….

[@Flibbybibby]

Good point, however the Byrds were certainly not bubblegum music then or now.

[@joebloggs8636]

@@edryba4867 You are a child, simple minded,but ,still a child.

[@scottmatznick6461]

That story about your dad, no lie, made me cry. I'm going through a divorce right now, and my dad is in Colorado from Illinois helping me through it, and it's been really nice to share music with him again. I will make this as good of a memory with my dad as I can with him in memory of your dad, as well as for the sake of the memory itself.

[@brahmburgers]

Some of my best memories of my dad (born '07) were listening to music together, including going to some live shows (Persuasions, stick out). He had a 78 record of Jellyroll Morton. Top that! ha ha ha.

[@ingrainedsea381]

I for one love McGuinn and Crosby's praise for one another

[@patriciamillin1977]

It was good to hear, after all these years.

[@paulgentile1024]

I dig McGuinn... Not too much the other guy

[@TheSwedeMcCoy]

Yes, Crosby is a great singer but he can be very rude and blunt towards others. And there's a slim chance of any more CSN&Y epicness ever again thanks to David Crosby...

[@keng.4566]

In fairness, David is, by his own admission, nearly broke. The only way for him to make big money quickly is to tour with one of his two Rock and Roll Hall of Fame bands. CSNY isn’t going on the road with him probably ever again but certainly not anytime soon so that leaves the Byrds. He’s been putting the full court press on Roger and Chris Hillman (the only Byrds left) to do a Byrds tour, particularly in light of Roger and Chris doing the complete “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” album live on stage a few years back. In David’s mind, it’s a no brainer, but, again, he is literally broke and on the verge of selling off his guitars in order to eat. It seems like Roger, in particular, is an old hippie who doesn’t like conflict so he won’t tell David to his face that life is too short for him to waste even a minute of it bickering with David over the minutia of a Byrds’ tour.

[@ChorusArtists]

Wow, what an awesome episode. I saw Roger McGuinn live in the early 90's on his Back From Rio comeback tour, and I'm so glad I did. The Byrds were iconic among musicians and this song is so important. The musical dialogue between The Beatles, Dylan, Beach Boys and The Byrds shaped decades of music to come. What a treat to get Crosby's recollections as well. Great job, Adam.

[@glennweaver3014]

I saw McGuinn on that same tour. It was fabulous.

[@davidchase-lopes8413]

Adam, this episode was simply terrific. Bravo to you for getting RM & DC to speak and hat's off to your song choice. I saw Husker Du cover this song in 1985 in Boston and hearing their version was off the charts. Your love of music is genuine and this show is a delight.

[@allenf.5907]

I heard R. McGuinn perform a few years back in a very small theater. It was like the professor here sitting down and listening to him. Fascinating individual. His wife sells the merch.

[@28if]

Beatles (Harrison) "If I Needed Someone" as to the Byrds influence from "Bells of Rhymney" would have been a much better example

[@landlinesandpercolators8822]

Funny how McGuinn still doesn't want to cop to any drug allusions, but Crosby's like "yeah." Anyway -- well done. And it is an absolutely classic, epic track. In the highest stratosphere so to speak.

[@BigBri550]

Really? It seemed the other way around to me. David Crosby said that "psychedelic" had nothing to do with the content 14:45 which implies that it was not a drug-inspired song. On the other hand, Roger McGuinn admitted that they did acid during that time period 14:33 so it getting labeled as "psychedelic" seemed "fair enough" to him- not that he agreed with it, but he seemed to understand why it happened.

[@shawnerz98]

Wait! Are you trying to imply that David Crosby did drugs? ;) :P

[@BigBri550]

@@shawnerz98 Some experimented with drugs; others were into full scale research.

[@taknothing4896]

If you lived through that time, you'd realize that the psychedelic experience permeated just about everything, all the time, so trying to parse things out like that is pretty much meaningless.

[@BigBri550]

@@taknothing4896 It was also a classification in the music industry, and that's what David Crosby was talking about there. "Eight Miles High" was composed from the influence of jazz and eastern music, not so much pop psychedelia. In fact, to me the Colombia recording sounds like they tried to back away from the heavier, reverb-rich tone of the RCA recording.

[@rickg8015]

Even the Byrds influenced the Velvet Underground.. Lou admitted..

[@greganderson8374]

I remember when 8 Miles High came out on the radio, and was blown away on how different it was from the the typical Rock'N'Roll that was on at the time. I didn't think of it as "psychodelic" rock, I thought it was outside the mainstream and loved it. I grew up in California (the Bay Area and LA) in the 60's so I have been blessed with growing up in an era of new and inspirational Rock. I still listen to 60', 70's & some 80's music to this day. There is no reason to listen to anything else.

[@brucewightman5168]

GOSH DARN RIGHT BUD LOL GREG AT 6 PM EST I WQILL TIP MY GLASS TO YA LOL

[@barsixful]

Greg Anderson I'm with you buddy. I live in 70's 80's music bubble.....anything after the 90's is a waste of time..

[@lilivonshtup3808]

@@barsixful As much as I hate to say it, I've heard no new true musicians in this century either.

[@donolinger6904]

- I grew up listening to that and I'll always love it but good music is still being made. Check out Fantastic Negrito for some newer bad@$$ music.

[@unstrung65]

The only part missed by the 'professor' & 'Rod Argent - was that it was the piano break in The Zombies ' She's Not There' that influenced Roger , And the clip of 'She's Not There' stops just short of that break . But still a great review of my favorite song of all time . And I was 17 when The Byrds came out in '65 ! -- very touching about your father .

[@michaelmertens813]

Turn, Turn, Turn.The first album I ever bought. What a brilliant record.

[@TomStokes]

Great interview - I was a little worried when I saw David and thought oh man here we go lol Thank goodness he kept politics out of it. Music is the one thing we should be able to count on to bring us together everything else is bullshit. #RIPSteveReader He's right, bro... you were made to rock these interviews.

[@brucewightman5168]

WELL WRITTEN KUDOS TOM

[@michaelmcdonald8452]

Does Crosby often bring up politics on interviews?

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

Probably heavily edited

[@RichWhiteUM]

@@michaelmcdonald8452 Always!

[@jasontaverner391]

David Crosby hated the Byrds drift toward toward country on the transitional "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" and jumped ship. He knew he was the odd man out.

[@drsimple]

Another great episode. You choked me up a bit with the tribute to your dad. All that being said, I wish Chris Hillman would get more recognition in interviews about The Byrds.

[@mattymac1399]

Agreed, Hillman is a badass.

[@theWARMJET]

Love his songs in the band

[@danielwillette3895]

I love 60's music, I gotta thank my parents for that!

[@michaelb8133]

How do you always know what music I am listening to?!

[@TheHuckster100]

The song also name drops one of my favorite bands, Small Faces. "In places small faces unbound".

[@tonymurphy6227]

Correct Chuck, in his autobiography Ian McLagen (SF keyboard player) said Crosby caught him at an airport and told him that the Byrds loved the Small Faces, and wrote them into the song.

[@georgebarry8640]

@@tonymurphy6227 Maybe true..but can we believe anything he says?

[@tonymurphy6227]

@@georgebarry8640 I get where you're coming from, but they would have HAD to have noticed the Small Faces in the UK at that time, they were really big at the time and the name was unique. Incidentally I just happen to be watching Crosby the documentary 'Remember my name' this very moment, weird eh?

[@bioux101]

@@georgebarry8640 why wouldn't you trust what Ian McLagen says?

[@georgebarry8640]

@@bioux101 I guess if you have 2 accounts..Id buy into it. I am just saying, Crosby talks circles and has for years. It's a shame it takes away from all the music he has made. I've seen it. Shame. But hey, if Ian sez so..maybe THIS TIME its the truth. Ya know...even a broken clock is right..2 times a day.

[@Twomidgetsonahorse]

Don't forget the hat tip to the Byrds from the Mamas and Papas in their song Creque Alley. Line in the song "McGuinn and McGuire just a getting higher in LA you know where that's at"

[@MagruderSpoots]

I always think of that when I hear McGuinn's name.

[@georgerussell9525]

And McGuire being Barry McGuire, of "Eve of Destruction" fame.

[@Twomidgetsonahorse]

@@georgerussell9525 Yep, McGuires voice always reminded me of what years of drink and smoke could accomplish.

[@stanleycrim]

And nobody's getting fat except Mama Cass

[@Poconobuc]

McGuinn and McGuire had been part of the Village scene but had split for LA - good choice, and also the reason for the line in Creeque alley.

[@donaldkress5760]

Adam, first, I am very much enjoyed your presentation. Second though, I am once again disappointed how little Gene Clark comes through. With his subsequent material, I often think of him as the missing link between folk rock and the maturation of country rock. Although Sweetheart of the Rodeo and the Burrito Brothers deserve they are due, Gene Clark barely gets mentioned. So I have to say, as good as your presentation was, you missed a vital element of the song. I’ve heard various stories of this song and McGuinn and Crosby do little here again to support their former bandmate. As great musically as McGuinn was, Clark was the driving force of the deeper meaning behind their songs. And as good musically as Crosby was, it’s pretty clear that he was an egotistical brat. It should also be mentioned that they were so lucky with their association with Dylan. Listen to a Gene Clark solo version of the song and you will hear it in a completely different way. Like many of his songs it is dark and forlorn.

[@MrPhilfridge]

Well said, essentially this was Gene's song, McGuinn arranged it and Crosby , a line, 'rain grey town known for its sound' but as the years have gone by McGuinn and Crosby have taken more credit than they deserve as to its composition. To be fair McGuinn does most definitely deserve credit as it is a brilliant arrangement. but Crosby , well we all know how he likes to big himself up and his attitude towards Gene when he was in the Byrds, no m ore than a bit part on the song.

[@davidmurray2539]

Eight Miles High written by Gene and Brian Jones but appreciate you, Don, for sticking up for The Byrds' most wide ranging talent. Clark's songwriting brilliance alone was essential to the group even getting to and past album three and in the undistinguished descent of The Byrds post-Notorious Byrd Bros, McGuinn must've many a time wished he'd had a tenth of his former bandmate's creative prowess, especially on the lyrical side.

[@MrPhilfridge]

@@davidmurray2539 I think you're pushing it a bit claiming Brian Jones was involved in the writing process of Eight Mile High. I've read Einarson's biog and Rogan's in Timeless Flight 2 plus a number of interviews/articles and no where is Jones credited. Gene did say he showed a rough sketch of the song to Jones prior to the Byrds retun to the US in Aug'65 , and he was encouraging , and that's it . He then showed the song to Crosby and McGuinn on the flight back and Crosby contributed a couple of lines and McGuinn worked out the arrangement and suggested using 'eight' as opposed to six or seven miles high.

[@davidmurray2539]

@@MrPhilfridge You may be right. Can't think of the title of the Gene Clark bio I read but Gene reportedly said he and Jones had written the song in a hotel room in Pittsburgh. One man was truly a noted poet. The other looked like one.

[@maxmerry8470]

Good to hear McGuinn making it fairly clear that Coltrane's "Africa" was a more obvious influence than "India". Also great to hear from an unassuming Rod Argent.

[@davidellis5141]

I really enjoy the Roxy Music cover of 8 Miles High on Flesh & Blood. Brian Ferry has such a great voice.

[@nota8386]

Agree, a great cover

[@brucewightman5168]

BRIAN FERRY'S ROXY MSIC SUCH A GRETA LOST NAME DAVE ..

[@lilivonshtup3808]

I agree, it's a great version. Ferry's got one of the sexiest voices, too.

[@ColtraneTaylor]

Why? I love Roxy Music but it's almost a disco rendition.

[@leonardjohnny67]

8 miles high is astonishing, Roxy were awesome, but that cover? I don’t think so.

[@liamgillespie3407]

“What You’re Doing” by the Beatles was recorded in September 1964, the Byrds released their debut album in June 1965. Both songs have a Rickenbacker 12 string so that’s the only similarity, it wasn’t the Beatles giving a nod to the Byrds.

[@latinology]

Actually the Byrds were certainly inspired by the Beatles on that one. The riff from Mr. Tambourine Man is basically identical to What You're Doing

[@mikebloomfield2147]

The George Harrison written ‘If I Needed Someone’ is definitely influenced by The Byrds rendition of ‘The Bells of Rhymney’.

[@theWARMJET]

Roger said he played the 12 strings Ric because of the Beatles

[@docsavage8640]

If anything, it's what McGuinn was inspired by with the 12-string.

[@eddieshaw2401]

One of the greatest songs...EVER !!! Imagine it's potential impact if this song been allowed to climb the charts the way it should have been. I DIG THE BYRDS !!!

[@Galantski]

The Byrds did Dylan better than Dylan.

[@walterfechter8080]

So did The Chocolate Watchband ("It's All Over Now, Baby Blue")

[@Galantski]

@@walterfechter8080 Thanks a lot, Walter, I never heard it before now, and have to say I'm amazed at how much it sounds like a long lost Rolling Stones' recording from the Brian Jones era. There's even what sounds like a recorder being played in the background, ala Brian, and the lead vocalist, David Aguilar's voice is a dead ringer for Mick Jagger, not only the sound of it, but the phrasing is also spot on. I researched the group a little and found that many music critics of the time were calling them America's answer to the Stones, and if this is indicative of the Watchband's sound, it's easy to see why. Thanks again.

[@walterfechter8080]

@@Galantski -- You're welcome. Though The Chocolate Watchband went through a few incarnations (personnel changes) I followed them from the start. Yes, David's voice certainly has that Jaggeresque quality to it. I have relatives and friends who lived in San Francisco and in LA during the entire decade of the 1960s. They were always giving me a heads-up as to what was going on musically on the West coast (way back then).

[@Galantski]

@@walterfechter8080 I found a video of TCW's version of "Come On", the Chuck Berry song that was the Stone's first single, then I compared the two, and I think it would be next to impossible to say which is which (they're more or less identical, including the harmonica fills), unless someone really knows The Chocolate Wristband inside out. I know I can't hear an appreciable difference.

[@lilivonshtup3808]

The Byrds took Dylan's songs to the musical stratosphere. Pun intended.

[@tonymurphy6227]

The Byrds influenced The Beatles a lot, George rang Crosby and said "we've done our own 'Bells of Rhmney', it's called 'If I needed someone'. Both great bands.

[@91dodgespiritrt]

"The Byrds influenced The Beatles a lot" But, the Beatles influenced the Byrds - and everyone else whoever called themselves a "band" or played contemporary music - A WHOLE LOT MORE.

[@garthfarkley]

David Crosby: "We took our guitar cues from The Beatles - I had the Tennessean, the Country Gentleman, and Roger had the Rickenbacker. My whole attitude was, 'If it's good enough for George Harrison, it's good enough for me.' I wanted to be like George, but I couldn't play like him. He was a great, great guitar player.  The Byrds, 1965 (from left): Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark. © Hulton-Deutsch Collection/CORBIS "We became friends with The Beatles when we went over to England. We had a horrible promoter, who was trying to sell us as 'America's answer to The Beatles,' which was nonsense. There was no answer to The Beatles. Nobody could cut it with them - nobody. But they liked American groups. They liked the Beach Boys, and they loved The Byrds. They told us so.

[@tonymurphy6227]

@@garthfarkley Obviously The Beatles influenced every band in the world. I have every Beatles album, and every Byrds album. I saw the Beatles live in England in 1965 (they played If I Needed Someone). One month later in the US the Byrds were recording Eight Miles High in LA, a massive leap forward in music at the time (too much of a leap for the record buying public). I love both bands, but I still play my Byrds stuff more often.

[@garthfarkley]

Listen to George's jangly Rickenbacher intro to "What You're Doing." October 64. McGuinn, Clark & Crosby listened carefully, loved the sound and worked hard to copy it. They build their own band and a entire genre around it. I adore the Byrds but George got there 1st.

[@DZobe-nz7dl]

@@91dodgespiritrt well no shit sherlock..I think more than enough has been said bout the beatles influence on music but they had to steal their ideas too and the byrd's were much respected by the beatles

[@mojorisin369]

Eight Miles High is absolutely one of my all-time favorite songs! Definitely in my top ten; brilliant perfection.

[@davidwise3426]

Terrific interviews, enjoyed them. The Byrds and The Zombies made some classics, deservedly in the Hall of Fame.

[@timothyorie7021]

I was lucky enough to see The Zombies get inducted ..what a beautiful moment

[@mattbelinski7760]

Odyssey and Oracle!! Due a vid on that classic!!!

[@robertcarter9350]

I know that there is probably a good explanation for it, but I’m always a little surprised that ( in the case of the Zombies interview ), four dudes pitch up, and then one guy kinda hogs the spokesperson duties. I wonder what goes through the other three dudes heads. Do they ponder why they are there at all?

[@jefffinkbonner9551]

@@robertcarter9350 They probably preferred their guy fielding the questions and not having to themselves. I’ve seen the Rolling Stones interviewed, and it was just Mick Jagger acting as spokesman while Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood just stood there quietly.

[@robertcarter9350]

@@jefffinkbonner9551 Agree with you Jeff. That was definitely one of the thoughts that crossed my mind. Thanks for your input.👍

[@jjs490]

I knew it was special the first time I heard it with those beautiful melodic harmonies of David Crosby. The overall melody was very good but the harmonies really put it over the top. And the electric Guitar was outstanding. I can remember driving my father 66 Bonneville with a reverberator listening to it and feeling out of my head at 17 years old. Wow it was beyond far out .

[@kahmusicaustralia]

One of the greatest songs ever and fascinating mini doco. Keep up the great work mate :-)

[@chaos1961]

The zombies are one of my all-time favorite bands, she's not there is one of my all-time favorite songs. Can't wait to see the whole interview. Keep up the great work I'm still addicted.

[@hagbard72]

Weird, I was just looking into the Byrds today. Looks like McGuinn went very conservative, big transission for the hippy era. Not that there's anything wrong with that. GTW, Turn Turn Turn was written by God (lol).

[@artjacobson101]

True, Robert, my mom set me straight years ago on where the lyrics came from: Turn! Turn! Turn! From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia This article is about the song. For the Byrds album, see Turn! Turn! Turn! (album). For other uses, see Turn, Turn, Turn (disambiguation). "Turn! Turn! Turn!", or "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season)", is a song written by Pete Seeger in the late 1950s and first recorded in 1959. The lyrics - except for the title, which is repeated throughout the song, and the final two lines - consist of the first eight verses of the third chapter of the biblical Book of Ecclesiastes. The song was originally released in 1962 as "To Everything There Is a Season" on folk group the Limeliters' album Folk Matinee, and then some months later on Seeger's own The Bitter and the Sweet.[1] The song became an international hit in late 1965 when it was adapted by the American folk rock group the Byrds. The single entered the U.S. chart at number 80 on October 23, 1965, before reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on December 4, 1965. In Canada, it reached number 3 on November 29, 1965, and also peaked at number 26 on the UK Singles Chart. Lyrics The lyrics are taken almost verbatim from the book of Ecclesiastes, as found in the King James Version (1611) of the Bible,[2] (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) though the sequence of the words was rearranged for the song. Ecclesiastes is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon who would have written it in the 10th century BC, but believed by a significant group of biblical scholars to date much later, up to the third century BC.[3] To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, a time to reap that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; A time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to gain that which is to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time of love, and a time of hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. The Biblical text posits there being a time and place for all things: birth and death, laughter and sorrow, healing and killing, war and peace, and so on. The lines are open to myriad interpretations, but Seeger's song presents them as a plea for world peace because of the closing line: "a time for peace, I swear it's not too late." This line and the title phrase "Turn! Turn! Turn!" are the only parts of the lyric written by Seeger himself.[1] In 1999, Seeger arranged for 45% of the songwriting royalties for "Turn! Turn! Turn!" to be donated to the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions.[4] He kept 50% of the royalties for his own music and took a further 5% for the lyrics because, in Seeger's own words, "[in addition to the music] I did write six words and one more word repeated three times."[4][nb 1] Seeger's handwritten lyrics to the song were among documents donated to New York University by the Communist Party USA in March 2007.[5] The song is notable for being one of a few instances in popular music in which a large portion of the Bible is set to music, other examples being the Melodians' (and Boney M's) "Rivers of Babylon", Sister Janet Mead's "The Lord's Prayer", U2's "40", Sinead O'Connor's "Psalm 33" and Cliff Richard's "The Millennium Prayer". Since Ecclesiastes is traditionally ascribed to King Solomon in the 10th century BC, the Byrds' 1965 recording of the song holds the distinction in the U.S. of being the number 1 hit with the oldest lyrics.[citation needed] The song was published in illustrated book form by Simon & Schuster in September 2003, with an accompanying CD which contained both Seeger's and the Byrds' recordings of the song. Wendy Anderson Halperin created a set of detailed illustrations for each set of opposites which are reminiscent of mandalas. The book also includes the Ecclesiastes text from the King James version of the Bible.

[@alvanwalls8371]

63 years old I listen to the Byrds every day in 2021

[@iancurtis1152]

Hi prof, just found your channel, loving it. Can you do one on “ miss heard lyrics” . The miss heard lyric I mostly think of is The Rolling Stones “Satisfaction” forever I thought Mick was singing “ I can’t get no girly action” instead of him actually singing “ I can’t get no girl reaction”. I think girly action sounds better and should have been THE lyric. Be great to hear your take on that. Apart from that, The Beatles “dug the well” that all the other Brit Invasion groups drank from. Keep up your channel. Cheers from down in Sydney Australia!

[@montydaniels1054]

That was back when Jagger & Bowie were sleeping together. That puts a spin on the song...

[@susanhays5994]

I didn’t know it wasn’t girly action, lol. You just informed me.

[@montydaniels1054]

@@susanhays5994 Funny isn't it. I've been corrected from time to time when I didn't have the lyrics right from a song 40-50 years old....

[@micpoc4597]

The Beatles' "If I Need Someone" is WAY more Byrds-esque than "What You're Doing".

[@davidsquonkbreeds8568]

Besides the fact it was recorded before the Byrds made their first record

[@mfeltes]

@@davidsquonkbreeds8568 _Mr. Tambourine Man_ was released in June 1965. _Rubber Soul_ came out in December 1965.

[@davidsquonkbreeds8568]

@@mfeltes I was referring to What you're Doing which was released in 1964

[@ricknbacker5626]

Excellent interviews POR. The section about your father is wonderful. George Harrison stated that his song 'If I Needed Someone' was directly influenced by The Byrds 'Bells of Rhymney'. Keep up the fine work, RNB

[@CoffeeTimeBrian11]

I loved the "Byrds". They went way beyond answering the Beatles. Really cool that they used American Jazz to pull off this song; beautiful! My favorite titles of thiers where The "Chimes of Freedom" and "I was So Much Older Then." To me, these songs really spoke to the times.

[@komitkazi7520]

I was so much older then is cslled My Back Pages. One of my favorite

[@jackwalker1822]

When I think of jazz influences I think of the Grateful Dead. Phil Lesh especially was into jazz.

[@389383]

A great companion to the Byrds "Eight Miles High" is the Yardbirds "Happenings Ten Years Time Ago", also 1966.

[@NoviJimB]

The Beatles' 'What You're Doing' was written and recorded before the Byrds had released anything. Not even sure they were a band yet. Roger McGuinn was inspired by them and the 12 string Rickenbacker that George used, thus Roger's 12 string. And on a side note, the main riff from 'What You're Doing' is very similar to the riff from Jackie DeShannon's 'When You Walk In The Room', which came out in early 1964, before 'What You're Doing' had been written. So if anything, Paul was influenced by Jackie when he wrote that song. kzbin.info/www/bejne/o4emc4Z_o8RkoJI

[@hbofbyu1]

What better person to dissect the lyrics of American Pie than the professor. I'm looking forward to that.

[@alanevans9903]

This is the very first episode of Professor of Rock I've watched! What a great indoctrination. Keep up the good work!

[@aarfeld]

Roger McGuinn really put his finger on it when he described the song as "early Jazz Fusion." Many musicologists have identified the song as the first recorded instance of Jazz Rock Fusion, based upon that break in the middle.

[@broncodeviltexas]

Was alive when the Byrds flew. They were really hot and considered a cool hippyish American band. Wonder what Crosby thinks of that pancho now !?😄

[@TheCheeseandrice1]

A good watch is The Byrd Who Flew Alone. It's a DVD on the tortured soul, Gene Clark. He was a prolific songwriter who composed the vast majority of Byrd songs up until his departure.

[@drc1883]

I'm a child of the 60's and dig all the music you review. I especially like your interviews with the people who made this generation musically beyond compare. Keep up the good work!

[@andrewvillarrealable]

I've always wondered if groups that were accused of recording drug songs, at least had a double meaning in their music. Like, maybe the Byrds really did write this song about their plane ride. And maybe the Beatles really did write about John's sons childhood fantasy. (Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.) But at some point you wonder. Did they at least have a double meaning in the lyrics? Were they really singing about getting high too? But never admitted it? As Roger McGuinn says, they were taking LSD at this time. (1966.) So were the Beatles. (1967) So why wouldn't they ever express their experience in songs? At least in code? Because of censorship? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

[@markspitzok3064]

I was about 12 yrs old when this tune came out. To bad the crappy transistors radios we had could not decifer the intracity of the arrangements in many of the songs of this erra.

[@brucegwynn8509]

I seen Roger McGwen, not sure I spelled his name correct but seen him in roanoke va at the Jefferson center 3 years ago and he's a great storyteller and his band was tight

[@TheObservationlounge]

Cool beans! And just to let you know, the correct spelling of Roger M's name is 'McGuinn' (2x 'n)'. Found that out from spending lots of time 'hanging out in' my album collection, looking at album notes and artwork, Lol! 😂

[@brucegwynn8509]

@@TheObservationlounge appreciate the correction, I just knew that I had it wrong, he's excellent in concert , if you haven't, I hope you get to see him, bob dylan came through roanoke in 2018 , tickets 78 dollars to 400 , I love Dylan but no wonder it didn't sell out

[@markkindermannart4028]

@@TheObservationlounge and the correct grammar is 'I saw...'

[@Frank-n-Sense]

Was totally digging Roger said about jazz fusion with ragas and David's knack for harmonic voicing and sequences of intervals that challenge the ear. Then David, after your reflection about making people think, continuing where he left off about being a 'very good at it' but a singer-songwriter band, got to the essence of where his heart was/is, "...if you can. You want to take people on a little emotional voyage if you can. That's really where the fun is." (Mic Drop) Jazz fusion & Folk rock done well? Check.

[@larrymiller4]

Gene Clark can claim the bulk of the songwriting credit, though McGuinn and Crosby also made contributions to the song. Every Byrds and Gene Clark fan/aficionado should go to Gene's YT version of EMH, where he introduces the song with his original intent on how the song should be played, and then he sings it, and it is truly haunting, moving, and extraordinary.

[@brendakrieger7000]

I shared lots of great music with my parents too. I understand your loss. Absolutely nothing beats the iconic sound of a Rickenbacker🎸 How cool To have the privilege to interview legendary Roger McGuinn

[@rbilleaud]

Man, I have to tell you, 9 times out of 10 I totally disagree with some song you find significant. But I keep coming back. You know why? Because I always learn something new. Your show is NEVER boring. For example, this psychedelic stuff never really moved me, but Roger Mcguinn's and David Crosby's views were very interesting. That's what separates a good KZbin channel from an average one. Keep up the great work.

[@commonsense1012]

Any song that has anything to do with John Coltrane makes it special...the ascending chord changes the vocal harmonies and the whole vibe of the song is awesome

[@Doones51]

McGuinn said something about music that i think is one of the most sage things i have heard. He said that music imitates the sounds of the era. In earlier centuries, orchestral music ruled and imitated the sounds of nature. Then in the early 1900's, the clarinets in swing jazz imitated the sounds of the cars, beep beep. Then after WW2, the sounds of hot rods (Beach Boys), and the jet sound (Byrds) hit in the Sixties. Now we have the sounds of inner cities and the harshness of the concrete jungle, and heavy metal of industrialization, but still some country for those in rural settings. Look up what he said exactly as i am only approximating it.

[@kirstenanderson7313]

Your dedication to your dad was so special, and personal. Thank you for sharing this with us. I am so sorry for your loss, I am very glad that you had a good relationship with your dad, and that he was so proud of you; with good reason. I too am thankful to my dad for the music he introduced me to. Music like The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield, CSNY, Joni Mitchell, and dozens more. David Crosby has such a beautiful voice. The song "The Lee Shore", on CSNY's concert album, "4 Way Street", is so beautiful.

[@Fatfingertunes]

A unique 'one-off', "Eight Miles High". Impossible to duplicate, just pure curiosity and genius combined. The comments about record companies reminded me of Zappa's comments. When the cocaine-addled banker's kids took over the business was ruined.

[@davidedmundson8402]

Another great episode. Thanks! 1966 was a great year, but 1967 was even better, with Light My Fire, White Rabbit, Somebody to Love, Sunshine of Your Love, Purple Haze, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (album), Nights in White Satin, Soul Man, Time Has Come Today, Happy Together, You Keep Me Hangin' On, Get Together, Groovin', San Francisco, Incense and Peppermints, Alone Again Or, Let's Live for Today, Ode to Billie Joe, By the Time I Get to Phoenix, Itchycoo Park, Summer Rain, Just Dropped In & Green Tambourine.

[@wallacethomas9844]

The country rock element of the Byrds is to the credit of Gram Parsons, not Roger McGuinn.

[@rogermurray8553]

Chris Hillman introduced country rock to The Byrds a couple of years before Gram joined the band. Listen to his contributions to the Younger Than Yesterday. Personally I wish the band had kept pursuing the jazz/electronica creations they'd explored on 5D.

[@jamesfitzgerald6636]

Byrds covered country on 2nd album

[@rick4electric]

According to Gene Clark he wrote it with Brian Jones! Since he left the band before 5th Dimension came out he had little to say about the credits which is par for the course with Rodger who stole credits from many people including Gram Parsons.

[@maxmerry8470]

Not strictly the case. The single was, I believe, released just before Gene left. The three-way writing credit was fair enough (with Gene's name first). What did McGuinn nick from Gram Parsons? That Brian Jones story has become part of the myth as well. No concrete evidence either way, although Hillman reckons Gene did co-write Get To You with McGuinn.

[@BeachJazzMusic]

Wow, that was an amazing story! I had no idea they were influenced by John Coltrane. I could hear Ravi's influence in so many groups of that era. I'm 68 so I grew up in that time.

[@andyandcallie]

I never liked the Byrds. Too lame. Just like the Eagles. Both bands put me right to sleep. Even "8 Miles High"--I like Lighthouse's version better. Gene Clark's "Spanish Guitar" was lovely, though. Sorry about your dad but I know he's very proud of you. :)

[@vivajay]

They were too stoned to even realize their own drug song. NOW THAT’S SOME GOOD SHIT!!!

[@rdaw33]

Call it what you want, flying, drugs, whatever, bla, bla, bla.......I have loved this song from the first time I heard it!!!!....(in the 60's)...........By the way, I do love songs about drugs!!!!!!

[@walterfechter8080]

"I See You," "Why" "Captain Soul," "She Don't Care About Time" (gorgeous Gene Clark tune) "Mr. Spaceman" (which should have gone to "Easy Rider") "Renaissance Fair" "Turn, Turn, Turn," "Fifth Dimension," "Goin' Back" (written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King) "Mr. Tambourine Man" -- on and on....

[@brocluno01]

Graduated HS in '66. Was in SF, on & off, from that fall to the early '70s. Free concerts at Speedway Meadows in GG Park, and meeting what are now legends, as just one more cool person on the streets ... The slip from 39,000 ft to Eight Miles High doomed the song from the viewpoint of the "elders", cause the only planes flying 8 miles high were military. And the Byrds were not singing about anything military ... The WAR was heating up and the fault-lines in society were coming into stark focus. The Byrds were just out of reach from the mainstream listener. The 'Heads' got it, but that reinforced the point about what this music was discussing ...

[@ehcmier]

I also remember seeing Roger McGuinn and a grinning Tom Petty hanging out in the studio during the Traveling Wilbury's sessions.

[@adamoremusic]

thanks for a good story! i quite prefer the RCA version to the album version - luckily all these alternate versions have been released too these days. don't miss Gene Clark's masterpiece 'No Other', especially the title track. also, note McGuinn's signature Martin 7-string guitar, where the G string has a high octave added - very cool!

[@tung-x]

Some of my favorite things about this, my favorite Byrds track, are 1) parallel motion in the vocals at the first line of verses 1 and 3, contrary motion (one going up, one going down) in the first line of verses 2 and 4, and also oblique motion (one moving and one staying on same note).. and that 12-string guitar and the variety of things Roger is doing... oh, and the drumming is great, too!

[@syater]

Love the Byrds. Love "Eight Miles High." But when McGuinn demonstrates his improvised solo on the song, naming Coltrane and Shankar as inspiration, sorry to say, I just can't make the leap with him. Sadly, it doesn't even sound like McGuinn much less Coltrane or Shankar.

[@alansmith4734]

LMAO. Just like the myth that The Beatles - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, was about LSD!