The Byrds & Roger McGuinn Trivia Quiz

Answer: The Yardbirds

The original line up for the Byrds was Gene Clark, Michael Clarke, David Crosby, Chris Hillman, and Roger (Jim) McGuinn. The Yardbirds were a guitar-based rock group that (at various times) featured guitar legends Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, and Jeff Beck, but never one of the original Byrds. Hillman formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons, who was briefly a member of the Byrds ("Sweetheart of the Rodeo"). Crosby left the Byrds because of differences with McGuinn and went on to form Crosby, Stills & Nash.

The New Christy Minstrels was the group that Clark performed with before co-founding the Byrds. Some other performers to come out of the Minstrels are Kim Carnes, John Denver, Barry McGuire, and Kenny Rogers.

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."

Answer: No

Despite the numerous connections between the Byrds and the Beatles, the Byrds did not cover any Beatles songs on their albums. A few of the Byrds/Beatles connections: the "misspelling" of "Byrds" was supposedly an homage to the "misspelling" of "Beatles"; McGuinn was inspired to play the Rickenbacker by George Harrison; the publicist for the Byrds (Derek Taylor) previously had done publicity for the Beatles and he introduced the bands, who often spent time together; supposedly, David Crosby introduced the Beatles to sitar music; and the Beatles were quoted as saying the Byrds were their favorite musical group.

Answer: Easy Rider

Peter Fonda screened "Easy Rider" for Bob Dylan in the hopes that Dylan would write a song for the movie. At the end of the screening, Dylan supposedly handed Fonda the following scribbled notes -- "The river flows, It flows to the sea, Wherever that river goes, That's where I want to be, Flow river flow" and told him to give them to McGuinn who would know what to do with them. McGuinn used Dylan's notes as the springboard for his song "Ballad of Easy Rider."

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.

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."

Answer: Get an electric guitar, take some time, and learn how to play

This song was written in response to the creation and success of the Monkees. If the choice "Learn to play the guitar, learn to play the drums" sounded familiar that's because it is a paraphrase from the song "Money For Nothing" by Dire Straits.

Answer: True

"Eight Miles High" was written by Gene Clark, David Crosby, and Roger McGuinn, in part about a flight to England for a tour. Clark was afraid of flying and that was part of the reason that he eventually left the Byrds.

Answer: Janis Joplin

Dylan's "Rolling Thunder Revue" started in 1975, five years after Joplin's early death. McGuinn's time with the Revue lead to one of his most successful solo albums, "Cardiff Rose."

Answer: 1991

The musical influence and legacy of the Byrds is enormous. Just a few of the artists influenced by the Byrds are R.E.M., Elvis Costello, and Tom Petty.

I hope you enjoyed the quiz!