The Byrds Trivia

1. The lead guitar player and singer for the Byrds came from the Chad Mitchell Trio, where he was a session musician. Who was he?

From Quiz A Byrd in the Band

Answer: Roger McGuinn

McGuinn first played with the Chad Mitchell Trio as Jim McGuinn; his full name is James Joseph McGuinn III. He was a founder of the Byrds in 1964. The harmonies he and his band mates produced helped define folk rock, as did McGuinn's Rickenbacker guitars which had a distinct sound due to recording studio tricks McGuinn learned from recording engineer Ray Gerhardt. Among many personnel changes in the band McGuinn was the constant and remained in the Byrds until they broke up in 1973.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: Bob Dylan

"Mr. Tambourine Man" written by Bob Dylan was number one for one week on the US pop chart in 1965. It was number one for two weeks on the UK chart the same year. It was The Byrds only UK number one and it was Bob Dylan's first number one as a songwriter. The Byrds were only the fifth US group to top the UK chart since 1960. The other four were The Marcels with "Blue Moon" number one for two weeks in 1961, The Highwaymen with "Michael" number one for one week in 1961, B. Bumble and the Stingers with "Nut Rocker" number one for one week in 1962 and The Supremes with "Baby Love" number one for two weeks in 1964.

From Quiz Byrd Songs

Answer: be wandering

"Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me, I'm not sleepy and there is no place I'm going to. Hey! Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me, In the jingle jangle morning I'll come followin' you. Take me on a trip upon your magic swirlin' ship, My senses have been stripped, my hands can't feel to grip, My toes too numb to step, wait only for my boot heels To be wanderin'. I'm ready to go anywhere, I'm ready for to fade Into my own parade, cast your dancing spell my way, I promise to go under it. (chorus) Though you might hear laughin', spinnin', swingin' madly across the sun, It's not aimed at anyone, it's just escapin' on the run And but for the sky there are no fences facin'. And if you hear vague traces of skippin' reels of rhyme To your tambourine in time, it's just a ragged clown behind, I wouldn't pay it any mind, it's just a shadow you're Seein' that he's chasing. (chorus) Then take me disappearin' through the smoke rings of my mind, Down the foggy ruins of time, far past the frozen leaves, The haunted, frightened trees, out to the windy beach, Far from the twisted reach of crazy sorrow. Yes, to dance beneath the diamond sky with one hand waving free, Silhouetted by the sea, circled by the circus sands, With all memory and fate driven deep beneath the waves, Let me forget about today until tomorrow. (chorus)" Recorded in January 1965 and released the following June, "Mr Tambourine Man" shook the foundations of music and ushered in the era of folk rock.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: Cher

"All I Really Want To Do" was a number 40 hit on the US pop chart for The Byrds in 1965. It reached number four on the UK chart the same year. Cher's version entered the US chart on the same day as The Byrds version and reached number 15 on the US chart in 1965. It reached number nine on the UK chart the same year. "All I Really Want To Do" was The Byrds second consecutive single written by Bob Dylan.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: The Kentucky Colonels

White also worked with Nashville West and Muleskinner in addition to The Kentucky Colonels. The Kentucky Colonels was originally known as The Country Boys before becoming the Kentucky Colonels in the early sixties. They recorded five albums and appeared on episodes of "The Andy Griffith Show", but the emergence of the British Invasion and Folk Rock scene had an impact on the popularity of their acoustic sound. Clarance opted to head to Los Angeles and became a session player. Among the sessions he was hired on were "The Girl With No Name" and "Time Between" for the Byrds' "Younger Than Yesterday" LP. He also worked on the "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" and "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" albums before being asked to join the band following personnel changes in 1968. White was killed by a drunk driver in 1973.

From Quiz Byrd Songs

Answer: black limousines

"Eight miles high and when you touch down You'll find that it's stranger than known Signs in the street that say where you're going Are somewhere just being their own Nowhere is there warmth to be found Among those afraid of losing their ground Rain gray town known for it's sound In places small faces unbound Round the squares huddled in storms Some laughing some just shapeless forms Sidewalk scenes and black limousines Some living some standing alone" Recorded on 22 December 1965, this song heralded the psychedelic scene; many thought it was about drug use, but it (apparently - see wikipedia!) is about a tour of England and the flight there.

From Quiz The Byrds & Roger McGuinn

Answer: Mr. Tambourine Man

According to McGuinn, the Byrds' first record contract was only for a single, so they had to make it work. They got "Mr. Tambourine Man" from Dylan, but David Crosby hated it. McGuinn sped up the timing, made some other changes, and added what would become his trademark sound -- his 12 string electric Rickenbacker guitar. The single hit #6 on the U.S. charts, and the Byrds were off! Over the years, the Byrds would record numerous Dylan songs (including all of those listed as possible answers to this question). In fact, McGuinn has been quoted as describing the Byrds as "Dylan meets the Beatles."

From Quiz The Byrds

Answer: three

The first two, 'Mr. Tambourine Man' and 'Turn! Turn! Turn!', and the 'Byrds' reunion album.

From Quiz A Byrd in the Band

Answer: Michael Clarke

If you were setting up a band why would you hire someone as a drummer whose only drumming experience was playing congas in a semi-professional group? I don't know either but that's what the Byrds did when Michael Clarke came on-board. He didn't own a drum set at the time; rather, it was because of his Brian Jones-style (Rolling Stones) haircut. By 1967 the band members had numerous personality conflicts and Clarke left to join another band, later joining a group named Firefall; their biggest hit single was "You Are the Woman" in 1976.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: sad

"The Bells Of Rhymney" was track six on side one of The Byrds first album "Mr. Tambourine Man". It reached number six on the US Billboard album chart in 1965. It reached number seven on the UK album chart the same year and was their only UK Top 10 album. Written by Pete Seeger, adapted from the poem "The Bells Of Rhymney" which was written by Welsh poet Idris Davies and published in 1938. Pete Seeger first recorded the song live at Carnegie Hall in New York.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: John Guerin

John Guerin was born in Hawaii then raised in the San Diego area. He took drumming lessons and relocated to Los Angeles where he soon found work as a session player. He worked with such diverse artists as George Harrison, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra and Linda Ronstadt. He later toured with LA Express and the band became the backing band for Joni Mitchell in the seventies. John Guerin was asked to join The Byrds in the early seventies and the only recordings to feature him were live versions of "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Roll Over Beethoven" that were done for the soundtrack to "Banjoman". Ironically, John Guerin was a session player on the soundtrack of Clint Eastwood's 1988 film biography of Charlie Parker, "Bird". John Barbata played for The Turtles and other sixties bands. Jerry Edmonton was with Steppenwolf. Hal Blaine was one of the busiest session drummers in the recording business.

From Quiz The Byrds

Answer: Jacques Levy

Kim Fowley frequently co-wrote with later-era Byrd member Skip Battin. Herb Pedersen, later in the Desert Rose Band with Chris Hillman, was a member of the Dillards on their two best albums--'Wheatstraw Suite' and 'Copperfields.' Levy also wrote with McGuinn during McGuinn's solo years.

From Quiz A Byrd in the Band

Answer: Gram Parsons

Parsons is considered a pioneer of country rock music although he claimed he didn't like the title. He did help move the Byrds to more of a country music sound, writing some of the songs for the "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" album. Parsons flew off in 1968, working with other artists including Emmylou Harris and befriending Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones. Some of the Stones' attraction to country music in the 1970s can be attributed to Parsons. Although some of Parsons's lyrics speak of the dangers of drugs, he died of a drug overdose in 1973.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: David Crosby

David Crosby (rhythm guitar & vocalist from The Byrds) joined Stephen Stills (multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from Buffalo Springfield) and Graham Nash (multi-instrumentalist and vocalist from The Hollies) to form Crosby, Stills and Nash. CSN's biggest hit in the US came in 1977 when "Just A Song Before I Go" reached number seven on the US pop chart. It did not chart in the UK. Steven Stills once made an unsuccessful attempt to join The Monkees but recording contract commitments foiled the attempt.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: Skip Battin

Skip Battin had already known chart success in 1959 when he released "It Was I" as half of the duo, Skip and Flip. Singer Gary S. Paxton was Flip. Battin toured with The Byrds and played on three albums, leaving the group in February, 1973. He released a solo album called "Skip" before signing on with The New Riders of the Purple Sage in 1974. Randy Meisner played bass for Poco and The Eagles. Canadian bassist Bruce Palmer played for Buffalo Springfield. Dave Shogren was one of the early drummers for The Doobie Brothers.

From Quiz The Byrds

Answer: David Crosby

Add to that the drooping mustache, and Crosby looked like he was auditioning for 'The Brothers Karamozov.'

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: Eight

The Byrds had a number 14 hit on the US pop chart with "Eight Miles High" in 1966. It reached number 24 on the UK chart the same year. Written by Gene Clark/Roger McGuinn/David Crosby the song was banned by US radio stations over the drug related lyrics. The group at first denied there was any drug connection but later admitted some of the lyrics were inspired by their use of drugs.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: If I Could Only Remember My Name

Members of The Grateful Dead, Santana and Jefferson Airplane played on Crosby's debut solo album, "If I Could Only Remember My Name". Joni Mitchell also contributed tracks as a backing vocalist. David's brother, Ethan, made his only appearance on any recording on the album. The album peaked at Number 12 on the US album charts, but his singles did not fare as well. The first single release, "Music Is Love", only reached Number 95 and the other release, "Orleans", had limited chart success. Crosby wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the album except "Orleans". "Another Stoney Evening" and "Whistling Down the Wire" were duet albums with David Crosby and Graham Nash. "Daylight Again" was a 1982 CSN album.

From Quiz Byrd Songs

Answer: rolling down the road

"If your memory serves you well We were going to meet again and wait So I'm going to unpack all my things And sit before it gets too late No man alive will comfort you With another tale to tell But you know that we shall meet again If your memory serves you well This wheel's on fire Rolling down the road Best notify my next of kin This wheel shall explode If your memory serves you well I was going to confiscate your lace and wrap it up in a sailor's knot And hide it in your case If I knew for sure that it was yours But it was oh so hard to tell But you knew that we would meet again If your memory serves you well This wheel's on fire Rolling down the road Best notify my next of kin This wheel shall explode If your memory serves you well You'll remember you're the one That called on them to call on him To get your favors done And after every plan had failed And there was nothing more to tell You knew that we would meet again If your memory serves you well This wheel's on fire Rolling down the road Best notify my next of kin This wheel shall explode" The first track on the "Dr Byrds and Mr Hyde" album was written by Bob Dylan and Rick Danko. This might seem heresy to most Byrds lovers, but an even better version was recorded by Julie Driscoll, Brian Auger and the Trinity. (I just know I'm going to get a LOT of mail now!)

From Quiz The Byrds & Roger McGuinn

Answer: My Back Pages

The words "My Back Pages" never appear in the song, which was written by Bob Dylan. The first line of the song is "Crimson flames tied through my years," and the other two choices are from the well-known refrain.

From Quiz The Byrds

Answer: Michael Clarke

McGuinn and Hillman are sitting down and Crosby is kneeling.

From Quiz A Byrd in the Band

Answer: David Crosby

Crosby stayed with the Byrds long enough to be part of their first five albums. He co-wrote "Eight Miles High", "Why" and many others for the Byrds. Over time, though, tensions among the band members increased and Crosby was fired from the Byrds in 1967, being charged with trying to dictate the band's musical direction. He went on to be a founder of Crosby, Stills and Nash, with Neil Young later joining in.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)

The Byrds had a number one for three weeks on the US pop chart with "Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is A Season)" in 1965. It reached number 26 on the UK chart the same year. Pete Seeger adapted the lyrics and wrote the song in 1959 but did not record it until 1962. It must hold the record for a number one song with the oldest lyrics. All the alternative song titles were included on The Byrds second album "Turn! Turn! Turn!" which reached number 17 on the US Billboard album chart in 1966. It reached number 11 on the UK album chart the same year.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: The Flying Burrito Brothers

Hillman had played mandolin with Bluegrass groups before becoming one of the original members of The Byrds. He left The Byrds in the late sixties to join The Flying Burrito Brothers. Their 1969 debut album was titled "The Gilded Palace of Sin". The album was a critical success, but not as commercially successful as their 1970 follow-up album, "Burrito Deluxe". The group underwent several changes in membership which featured Bernie Leadon and future singer for Firefall, Rick Roberts, among others. Hillman left The Flying Burrito Brothers to join Stephen Stills' group, Manassas, in 1972. The self-titled debut album by The Souther-Hillman-Furay Band was released in 1974. The Desert Rose Band formed in the eighties.

From Quiz Byrd Songs

Answer: vagabond

"You must leave now, take what you need, you think will last. But whatever you wish to keep, you better grab it fast. Yonder stands your orphan with his gun, Crying like a fire in the sun. Look out the saints are comin' through And it's all over now, Baby Blue. The highway is for gamblers, better use your sense. Take what you have gathered from coincidence. The empty-handed painter from your street Is drawing crazy patterns on your sheets. This sky, too, is folding under you And it's all over now, Baby Blue. All your seasick sailors, they are rowing home. Your empty-handed armies, they are going home. The lover who just walked out your door Has taken all his blankets from the floor. The carpet, too, is moving under you And it's all over now, Baby Blue. Leave your stepping stones behind, there's something that calls for you. Forget the dead you've left, they will not follow you. The vagabond who's rapping at your door Is standing in the clothes that you once wore. Strike another match, go start anew And it's all over now, Baby Blue." Bob Dylan recorded this song on his "Bringing It All Back Home" album, and the song has also been extensively covered.

From Quiz The Byrds & Roger McGuinn

Answer: Ecclesiastes

Pete Seeger wrote the music for and adapted the verses from Ecclesiastes for "Turn! Turn! Turn!" He also adapted "The Bells of Rhymney" (from a work by Welsh poet Idris Davies), which the Byrds recorded for their first album, "Mr. Tambourine Man."

From Quiz The Byrds

Answer: All I Really Want to Do

From the 'Mr. Tamborine Man' album, written by Mr. Dylan.

From Quiz A Byrd in the Band

Answer: Fever Tree

Kelley was Byrd's bass player Chris Hillman's cousin. When the Byrds needed a drummer in 1967, they called on Kelley, who was between bands and working in a men's clothing store. After touring with the Byrds he had a personality conflict with another new Byrd and was fired in 1968. After being with Fever Tree Kelley worked as a session musician for a few years before retiring from music in 1973.

From Quiz The Music of The Byrds

Answer: You Ain't Goin' Nowhere

"You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" reached number 74 on the US pop chart in 1968.n It reached number 45 on the UK chart the same year. The song was written by Bob Dylan during his seclusion after his motorcycle accident in July 1966. Although recorded by Dylan and others The Byrds version was the first to be released. A later version of the song was released by Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman in 1989.

From Quiz Byrds Alumni

Answer: Drums

Michael Clarke was the original drummer for The Byrds. He joined when they were considering The Jet Set as their name in 1964. Clarke remained with the band for three years, leaving in 1967 while the band was recording "The Notorious Byrd Brothers" album. Drummer Jim Gordon replaced him to complete the album. When the band went on tour in support of the album Chris Hillman's cousin Kevin Kelley briefly took over playing drums until Gene Parsons was invited to join the group. After working with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers Gene released a solo album titled "Kindling" in 1973 and a second solo album, "Melodies" in 1979. He also continued to work as a session player.

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