They essentially bridged the electrifying pop studio sound of the Beatles with, literally at times, the lyrics and “edge” of Bob Dylan and other folk musicians. The Byrds became, in fact, a key element in the early flourishing of the “folk-rock” sound. One month later, the band’s manager, Jim Dickson, got the band an audition with Columbia Records, where they signed as the Byrds and would soon be billed as “America’s Beatles.” Initially playing under the name the Beefeaters, the young musicians released two singles, “Please Let Me Love You” and “Don’t Be Long” in October 1964. Soon after, Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke would join the trio on bass guitar and drums, respectively. In early 1964, McGuinn and Clark worked together as a Peter and Gordon-type duo, but began to assemble a band-once David Crosby was recruited-known as the Jet Set. I wanted to be a part of it.”Ĭlark moved to Los Angeles where he met fellow folk musician and Beatles-convert Jim (later Roger) McGuinn at the Troubadour Club. Clark found his calling, saying, “I knew, I knew, that this was the future, this was where music was going and. Like many musicians of the time, a major turning point came in 1964 when Clark came across the Beatles’ songs “She Loves You” and “I Want to Hold Your Hand” on a jukebox while in Canada. Clark played and worked as a backing-vocalist for two albums with the New Christy Minstrels, before leaving the band in early 1964, disillusioned with the musical approach. However, his trio would be short-lived.Ĭlark would go on to play in many aspiring folk groups in the early 1960s, including most prominently Michael Crowley’s the Surf Riders and later the New Christy Minstrels led by Randy Sparks. He began writing songs as early as nine years old-his first song being, “Big Chief Hole in Pants.”ĭuring Clark’s school years he would join various bands with schoolmates, play his guitar and sing for fellow students and form his own folk trio called the Rum Runners, inspired by the popular Kingston Trio. His father subsequently introduced him to Hank Williams and taught him to play the mandolin, harmonica and guitar. Besotted by Presley, Clark developed a deep interest in the music.

However, in 1954, Clark’s parents saved enough money to purchase a television, through which the young Clark would be introduced to Elvis Presley. In 1949, the Clark family moved to Kansas City, Missouri, living much of the time in abject poverty. Harold Eugene Clark was born in the small, working-class town of Tipton, Missouri, November 17, 1944, the third of 13 children. He also had an intriguing solo career in its own right, before his life was tragically cut short.

Clark was a key figure in the brief, but influential early period of the Byrds, who played a significant role in the expansive and electrified “pop” turn of folk music in the mid-1960s. 2021 marks 30 years since the passing of folk-rock pioneer and co-founder of the Byrds (formed in 1964), Gene Clark.

Lay down your weary tune the byrds