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Line diagram

The Byrds

1964 to 1973, a reunion in 1989 to 1991

The Byrds' stationSee Folk rock on the network

The line diagram

Each member is a lane on the year axis, in the colour of the line the band was on. A filled station marks a joining, an open one a departure, a square a death. The dotted rail is a reunion. A dotted branch leads to a band that grew out of this one, or in from a band its members came from. The table below lists the same spells.

Members

MemberRoleYears
Gene Clarkvocals, tambourine1964 to 1966
David Crosbyrhythm guitar, vocals1964 to 1967
Michael Clarkedrums1964 to 1967
Chris Hillmanbass, vocals1964 to 1968
Roger McGuinnlead guitar, vocals1964 to 1973
Gene Clarkvocals, tambourine1967 to 1967
Gram Parsonsguitar, vocals1968 to 1968
Kevin Kelleydrums1968 to 1968
John Yorkbass1968 to 1969
Gene Parsonsdrums1968 to 1972
Clarence Whiteguitar1968 to 1973
Skip Battinbass1969 to 1973

The lines

  1. Folk rock1965 to 1968

    Mr. Tambourine Man to The Notorious Byrd Brothers

    Formed in Los Angeles in 1964 around Roger McGuinn's twelve-string Rickenbacker. "Mr. Tambourine Man" in 1965 named folk rock. Gene Clark, who wrote most of the early songs, left in early 1966; David Crosby was fired and Michael Clarke left in late 1967, after the band had already turned towards the studio and the country.

    Key album: Mr. Tambourine Man, 1965

    Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Byrds (opens in a new tab)

  2. Country rock1968 to 1973

    Sweetheart of the Rodeo and the Clarence White years

    Gram Parsons joined in 1968, steered Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and quit before the year was out; Chris Hillman followed him to the Flying Burrito Brothers. McGuinn rebuilt the band around guitarist Clarence White, and after a reunion album with the original five in 1973 dissolved it.

    Key album: Sweetheart of the Rodeo, 1968

    Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Byrds (opens in a new tab)

Sources

  1. Wikipedia, The Byrds (opens in a new tab)
  2. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Byrds (opens in a new tab)
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica, The Byrds (opens in a new tab)

Cite this page

The Metro Map of Music, ‘The Byrds: line diagram’, /line-ups/the-byrds.