Don Henley is without a doubt one gifted artist, singer, and songwriter. He's also got an ego as big as Texas, the state he's from. Congratulations to the Byrds.
Yeah well, Don can back up that ego with his gifts as a drummer, a singer, a song writer, an artist and entertainer. Not to mention a legacy of being in Linda Ronstadt's first touring band and oh yeah, as a founding member of one of the most famous and best bands in the history of bands, not to mention a part of THE best selling album of ALL TIME. Iike the Eagles but I'm not what you would call a die-hard fan. Their body of work is HUGE. These are just the facts. Given those kinds of accomplishments in a hit and miss business would cause anyone human to have an inflated ego. Jus sayin.
I have to applaud Don Henley for that induction speech that incorporates his personal experience of The Byrds while he was a teenager with a powerful description of their sound and their influence. I don't think you can say it better than he did, speaking for all of us who treasured the band and continue to revel in their music.
Roger and Chris are still to this day 2 of my favorite people in music. They are still vital to my ears whom have heard an awful lot having worked on Sunset Blvd for years and years where band after band came from around the world to give it a go. Substance never wears thin and the Byrds in every era of their existence never lost that gift.
What a time it was back then to be alive growing up in the 60s ... the incredible rock music, freedom and creativity of expression... young attractive healthy svelte people with long manes of hair... no cameras monitoring everyone...living was easy and the cost of living was affordable... only one parent needed to work.. kids were raised by their mother, nature was a place to vacation and play in.. no Lymes disease, fresh air with no chemtrails... everyone had lots of free time.. no fast paced stressful cut throat world...the kids of today have no idea how great it once was to be a kid growing up in America.
Totally agree. Folks who weren't around, during the 60s, have little or no real comprehension over just how electric, fresh and exciting that decade was. Creativity was present and accounted for in every aspect of life. Whether it was music, fashion, food, automobiles, architecture, art, technology or social politics. The push for groundbreaking innovations generated a pace of change unmatched today, where change is mostly measured by technological progression. Music has taken a back seat to technology, and it shows. People today, are obsessed with new fangled gadgetry and gizmos. Even much of the music now has a canned, formulaic, quality to it. The 60s was very much a young decade, because a good section of society in the West was much younger then what exists today. The coalescing of so many influential and inspirational cross currents of minds and endeavours happens only once in a while. I'm thankful to have had been given the experience of growing up during that period.
Great personal speech from Don Henley, it captures the Byrds importance to rock music. They also had some great producers, especially Gary Usher who lifted them to incredible hights !
Many here have said many touching things about my favourite band. I was 13. Had not yet learned to play. I heard Mr. Tambourine Man on the radio and bought the album - in mono-in Houston, Texas. 8 miles High blew my mind but was banned from the radio "BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT DRUGS!" What are those? And it wasn't. It was about traveling to England . Fast forward 4 years later and I have been living in London for several years. Been playing the guitar for 2 and saw The Byrds at the Albert Hall. What a memory. I have now been playing and writing for over 50 years. My instrument? A 12-string stereo Yamaha .And I love the first 3 albums as much now as then. That is the soundtrack to my life. Thank You.
Chris inspired me to become a bassist at age 9. I loved it. His wife is also a wonderful person. The Byrds were and continue to be the most inspiring band in my life. If anyone thinks they can play a 12 string just watch Roger. You’ll want to turn yours into a coffee table.
McGuinn is an absolute American treasure. As important as Clapton and Hendrix, for me. No one had ever made THAT sound before. His 12-string became ringing church bells.
IT'S ABOUT TIME. In my opinion, The Byrds were among the most seminal, influential rock groups in history, and I'll tell you why. As a musician myself, I have always believed that the true greatness of any group or performer can be measured by something called, "INNOVATION." In other words, what new things did they leave their fellow musicians to emulate and build upon that didn't exist before them, and lasted long after they're gone? Let me give you just a small sampling of the creative innovations that The Byrds left us: 1) They were the first group to coin the term, "Folk Rock." It didn't exist before then. 2) They were the first American rock group to use four-part harmony in all their songs. 3) They were the first group to use creative, individual clothing on stage (just check out David Crosby's custom green leather cape. Individualized "rock clothing" was unheard of in those days. Most wore matching suits, or nothing special at all). 4) Roger McGuinn was the first to popularize tinted sunglasses, with his signature blue "Granny glasses." Even Hollywood movies began to emulate this style, with Peter Fonda wearing fashion eyewear in films like "The Wild Angels and "Easy Rider," to even Elvis Presley, and the trend never faded, even to this day. 5) McGuinn was also the first to popularize the use the twelve-string guitar, making it the backbone of their entire sound. Before then it was only used by folk music acts, then in later years even by Led Zeppelin. In fact, Roger singlehandedly put Rickenbacker on the map, eventually having a signature guitar created in his name. 6) The Byrds were the first rock group to use a TAMBOURINE as an integral part of their music, Gene Clark's headless tambourine becoming as much a part of popular bands at the time than any other instrument outside of the electric guitar. NO ONE used a tambourine in a rock band before The Byrds, and as a 74-year old drummer, I should know. 7) The Bryds were the first rock group to introduce the music of BOB DYLAN to the entire world. Before that, he was just a "'NYC folk singer" (Dylan owes them... BIG). 8) The Byrds were the first to use "message songs" to express their opposition to the Vietnam War. In my opinion,this was one of their *most* important contributions (like Pete Seeger's, "Turn, Turn, Turn"), and should never be forgotten, especially today. 9) Many of the Byrd's original lineup started great, groundbreaking bands of their own, including David Crosby and bass player Chris Hillman. I hope this illustrates their many contributions and lasting legacy to the entire music industry. In closing, if you can give me the name of even ONE American band that was responsible for as many new and exciting innovations that would change the entire face and sound of music in the 60's and 70's, I'd like to know their name.
Great analysis, appear to be right on all accounts. The major points would be electrifying folk, putting 'message' music in rock and roll, and putting Dylan's work on the national stage. Unique sound ("jangle"); launched an entire genre of music. Groundbreaking, they are.
Byrds were good, used to blast them on my father's Zenith stereo in the mid-sixties. Until they came home of course. Saw them too. Worcester, Ma. Auditorium 1967 & Keene State College N.H. 1970!
I remember seeing the Byrds on TV in '65 or whenever. Like everyone, I loved the Beatles, but seeing an American band looking and sounding so cool was a revelation. I was 18 then, and we were all in the very early stages of the musical explosion caused by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Stones, the Byrds, and many others.
l am now a young 75 and as a teen through the1960s I enjoyed the London club scene big time and all my pals thought The Byrds outstripped the likes of The Beatles and The Stones by miles! Hanging on the wall in my studio, in a place of honour since 1965 after I obtained it during my first visit to Arlington Virginia is an album cover containing a vinyl LP of Mr Tambourine Man signed by the entire group which I treasure to this day. When I met Mick Jagger in Mustique in 1988, as we both shared the same Italian architect Mario Spinella, when we built our villas on Mustique and St Vincent I showed him the signed LP which he would have bought at any price, but was not for sale and remains priceless to this day. At least then I got Mick to sing at my Norwegian wife's 40th Birthday party celebration's in January 1989 on Basils Bar in Mustique and Ringo Star and Barbara Bach turned up so a great party that finished at 8 am the following morning! I still listen to the Byrds at least 2 or 3 times a week. They were then and to this day remain the best Folk Rock group EVER!!!
One of the most creative and enormously talented bands America has ever produced. To suggest that they did nothing but recycle Bob Dylan is an utterly stupid statement that could only be expressed by someone who never heard "Fifth Dimension" or " the Notorious Byrd Bros". And Gram made but one album with The Byrds so it was inappropriate for him to be an inductee on this occasion. Besides, he was at his peak as a Burrito Bros. Parsons supporters should be screaming for THEIR induction into the Hall. The Flying Burrito Bros.' contribution to country rock far eclipsed that of The Byrds.
+David Murray I would disagree on two counts. I think Byrd's popularity sprung from those dull Dylan takes; second, Gram Parsons took over the Byrds and made the seminal Sweetheart of the Rodeo. To credit the Byrds without acknowledging Parsons is just ignorant. To make my point on the first item, I just have to watch Roger McGuinn in his chronic replays on PBS where all he seems to do is the Dylan stuff, as trite as ever. Further, listen to the Parson's versions of the songs McGuinn deleted (vocals) on Sweetheart and hear what I am talking about. These guys really could have benefitted from professional management at an early stage.
Sweetheart At The Rodeo, despite being a commercial failure at the time, is arguably the most influential record the Byrds ever recorded due to it's pioneering of country rock. That being said, Gram Parsons should being inducted as a solo artist and as a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers simultaneously, kind of like how the Small Faces and The Faces were both inducted together.
I agree with the first part of your statement about the originality of The Byrds and their stellar production well beyond covers of Bob Dylan songs that they brought to a new and richer life with their sound. But I disagree somewhat with your statements about Gram Parsons. He had an important role in the "Sweetheart" album to take country rock to a new place, but you seem to overlook the influence of Chris Hillman in the band, who introduced country influences through many songs he wrote much earlier for the band. They were already doing country rock well before Gram Parsons joined for a brief stint. By the way, so was Richie Furay and Buffalo Springfield.
@@paulkrupa Noticed your comment "somewhat" belatedly! I would argue quite the opposite. First, Gram Parsons was no more a Byrd than he was a Rolling Stone because he knew Keith Richards, wrote melodies with him during the lengthy course of the recording of Exile On Main Street in the south of France, and provided a strong "country" ambience that can be heard and felt all over that brilliant album. Second, there was no Byrds after Notorious Byrd Bros. as any true fan knows. Sweetheart was Byrds' remnant players Hillman and McGuinn with extras joining in, playing Christians and cowpokes music. The album itself was, to my mind, one of the most overrated, overacclaimed things the publicity department at Columbia Records ever nurtured! As you likely know, Hillman and Parsons bolted from the compulsively controlling McGuinn, formed The Flying Burrito Bros' and on their first try, produced an album, The Gilded Palace of Sin, that in its high lyrical and musical quality, brought a new genre of music in to being and made Sweetheart sound fraudulent, lazy and laconic. Not being critical of Gram Parsons one bit. Love his music. Love his soul. He was a genius and I certainly separate the beautiful Hickory Wind and Dylan's You Ain't Goin' Nowhere from my criticism of Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Unclear who you're referencing when you brought up the issue of management woes. We're not talking about Moby Grape here. The post Notorious Byrds were stricken with musical and lyrical "challenges"and management, as far as I can discern, has no blame for where McGuinn, after losing the flight plan and as The Byrds, led himself into the abyss. Only my opinions. Not meant to offend. PS. And yes, Clarence White was every bit as brilliant as his fans say he was and they won't let you get away with an omission whenever The Byrds are discussed. Peace.
If I wasn't already familiar with the sound of his voice from the turn of the 2000s, watching Don Henley give this induction would have totally knocked me off guard. The sound of his talking voice is adverse to the sound of his singing.
You couldn't be more right. One of my younger sisters recently acquired a turn table in order to play vinyl records. She played an LP from Monkees the other day, and she was surprised at how good many of the songs are. Even if the material had been written by other various songwriters, as far as pop music goes, it sure beats what is currently on the charts.
I could not have said it better, even though it was from Mr. Ego himself. The Byrds were everything to all kinds of music. What a band they were. I also wore out two Mr. Tamborine Man albums.
The bass player is the one and only Chris Hillman, who was one of the most inspired musicians of the Desert Rose Band with John Jorgenson and the rest of the greats, check out Austin City Limits Desert Rose Band.
Hillman also wrote or co-wrote more Byrds songs than Crosby and stayed longer. Of course, it was also his decision (with McGuinn) to fire Crosby; ANOTHER reason Hillman is great!
I thank God for the byrds and for allowing me to dream I can remember when I first heard the byrds I thought you was the most beautiful sound I ever heard and we're talking about someone who love the Beatles but the byrds we're a whole different animal they were angelic and they were magnificent I thank God everyday that I grew up with all this music all around me The Beatles and the byrds The Beach boys the stones all where the soundtrack to my life and let's not forget steppenwolf and led Zeppelin okay but I love the byrds you could always count on them delivery quality folk rock the country rock even when it was a little rough on the edges they were experimenting and creating something new but let's not forget Bob Dylan Bob gave the world head music that was more than just feeling from the heart no patting your foot but you could actually experience thought and I will forever be grateful to Bob Dylan and thank God that he linked up with the byrds and had an outlet through them because the byrds took that rough rural old sounding music of Bob Dylan and made it sound angelic and he will live forever I believe ten thousand years from now maybe even a million years from now they will be playing the music of the1950"s 1960s 70s and 80s because it was the Golden age of rock and roll.
You got the decades right, in regards to the golden era of rock music. As for the Byrds, I liked them immensely when I first heard them, back in the 60s. The opening strains of "Turn,Turn, Turn," is still powerful enough to command a listen, and "8 Miles High, " can never be heard enough. These are benchmarks of a great band.
It's not self-indulgent to frame The Byrds music and legacy by giving his personal inspiration and then describe in vivid terms the impact that the band had on music and culture. I think it was a very effective strategy using that kind of segue rather than just praising a band with something that anyone with writing ability could create. You don't like Henley, that's your choice. But don't distort the induction speech to make it sound like something it's not.
He may be a bit of a dick, but he is up there with McCartney and who else as living legends. Let me think about that for a while. Maybe Jimmy and Robert. Who else?
5 of the orignal byrds . they were together on stage.i heard a recording on u tube mike clark would never be in a band with roger any more .well he did. He did not care for roger .he didn't have many kind words to say about him.its to bad things turned out the way it did.they were so good when they played together.
Ol’ Don is a bucketful of fun. Hell, he should host a comedy roast. Don’t know how anyone this dry and utterly bereft of anything resembling warmth be such a gifted artist?
They were all Byrds & contributed to the legacy. To say the musicians who came after the original 5 weren't really Byrds is an insult to their hard work & dedication to their craft.
Hard work and dedication may be admirable but have nothing to do with originality, creativity, innovation, distinguished music or lasting impact. That would be the original Byrds, not the later version of the band that McGuinn created. Sure, Clarence White was a great guitar player, and others in that later iteration were talented enough, but they were not the magical chemistry, creativity or sound that we associate with The Byrds with three or more of their original members together.
I agree with that - it was the original lineup that invented what was called folk-rock, and influenced musicians all over the world with that sound, and sold millions of records. McGuinn, Clark, Hillman, Crosby and Clarke...forever known as the Byrds.
the group that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, is The Wrecking Crew, sometimes called The click, the real musicians, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Danny Tedesco, and others, who were the REAL musicians, who played on those records and created that sound, and with the beach boys, and many other hit songs, Dave Mcguinn, was apparently the only one who played on most of the records, and did he write any of this music?
Hal Blaine did play on one song "Mr. Tambourine Man"; Jerry Cole (Jerald Kolbrak), Leon Russell, Bill Pittman, and Larry Knetchel were the other session players of the Wrecking Crew who played on the previous mentioned song not the ones you listed. As good as the Wrecking Crew was, they only played on a single Byrd song.
+bird zone I believe that would be Tommy Tedesco. Also, Glen Campbell was a plank holder with the Wrecking Crew. Gram Parsons had worked under contract with Lee Hazelwood who also employed several of the Wrecking Crew on his productions.
Jim McGuinn (now he is Roger McGuinn) and the other Byrds were not songwriters until they saw Gene Clark spending his monies. I personally felt that Gene Clark was a lyrical Savant and a genius in blending multiple styles of music into an album, he had a "typical" education yet Chris Hillman said Gene did very little reading and was just a natural when it came to writing. The album "No Other" was such a departure from most of the music at that time, it was unfortunately overlooked. It could also have been that the album was over budget and Gene was not the easiest to work with... hence a different record label for each solo album.
The Wrecking Crew was sometimes called "The Clique". They were real musicians, who played on Mr. Tamborine Man. So were the Byrds who played on all other Byrds records. "Dave" McGuinn was actually Jim [and then Roger] McGuinn. Yes, he wrote a lot of the music including 5D (Fifth Dimension), Mr. Spaceman etc. & co-wrote others.
Love the Byrds. A seminal band. But to be clear, they did NOT invent "Folk Rock". They may have "pioneered" Folk Rock, however Bob Dylan invented "Folk Rock". The Byrds first album was "Mr. Tambourine Man" which was released in June of 1965. On that album they recorded several Bob Dylan songs including the title track "Mr. Tambourine Man" as well as "All I Really Want to Do" and "Chimes of Freedom". Dylan released his album "Bringing It All Back Home" in April of 1965. On that LP were the songs "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and "Maggie's Farm" which were both electrified "Folk Rock" songs. Just saying for clarity.
I have always thought of Don Henley as somewhat dry and overly serious. I was clearly wrong. In that intro, he is funny and he nails it. That's the way it was in '65.
The Byrds came to Cape Town SA in 1968... Alhambra Theatre... Apartheid Nazism was in full bully boy operation... getting steadily worse by the day... Vorster (Chief Nazi) & PW as his Defence Minister (Narcissistic evilness at it's most powerful)... Supporting Acts were Staccatos (SA mediocre pop group) & British female singer who really was'nt appealing to rude young crowd at all....in fact yheir insidious comic comments made her run off stage crying...Then quite a while later a dramatic pause - crowd getting restless and suddenly... "Mr Tambourine Man" started...strobe lights flashing - CURTAINS NOT OPENING...went on for quite a few numbers...crowd shouting... about 15 min later curtains opened - ALL BAND MEMBERS HAD THEIR BACKS TO THE AUDIENCE except David Crosby - he stood sideways and dedicted all the songs to OTIS REDDING - Black Soul Singer - vocally stating : "but you lot wouldn't know who he is..." boos & "Yanks Go Home!!!" were shouted to the group... this was more exciting than if it'd been concert with no drama... Politics ruled the day... they weren't allowed to play to multi-racial audience and the Byrds were p****d... and so they shld've been - my friends and I were totally in agreement with them and just became bigger fans... they played for half an hour then said due to laryngitis they cldn't go on... crowd cld get their tickets refunded... SO glad to have seen them - their influence was brilliant... always admired them... and their music... phew!!! Thanks for the greatest music guys... thanks...
*WTF?* *'Dylan 'influenced' the Beatles?* According to whom?* *As Lennon said "I don't believe/in Zimmerman"* *Why in fuck am I hearing Henley's 'musical bona fides' rather than that of Hillman and McGuinn?*
McGuinn was playing acoustic 12-string before The Byrds. He is on a 1963 compilation album of 12-string guitar with Mason Williams, Joe Maphis, Glen Campbell, and others. He also played 12-string guitar on Judy Collins' 3rd album (1963). This was before The Beatles swept America.
You know that is true and it's ironic that they would say that because the eagles took what Crosby stills and Nash and Young did and polished it all up and gave the world quality reproducible music it sounded perfect every time and this was the immense respectable musicalintegrity that people yearned and look for but was always falling short with Crosby stills and Nash and young because they were loosly an act who jammed and never practiced that much then came out and sorta shot from the hip and thought that was good enough but the Byrds tried to give you the same performance every time and I think the eagles looked at that and said yes that's what we need to do the eagles gave you the written song perfect every time note-for-note you could trust that what you fell in love with is what you would hear and there's nothing wrong with that and turns out that musicianship was very appealing to the masses because they gave you everything that a band should deliver a good song structure a good vocal a good backup vocal a good guitar lead and overall quality I'll musicianship that had to be respected.
@@HD35MAN Don't compare the Byrds with CSN, never could stand that act. The Eagles were all about slick and commercial, especially anything Henley or Frey had anything to do with.
Crosby has a greater ego than Henley, though not nearly as much songwriting talent. By all accounts he was a real *sshole and very difficult to work with.
David Shakespeare ' I read Don Felder's book---seems like Henley (and Frey) should have had mental health therapy. Really outsized egos, controlling, petty, demeaning in little ways....the types of guys that if you had to deal with them, you'd shrug they were jerks.
You're right, but I've noticed these days that most people live life on their smart phone with its tiny screen and googling is just too much of a hassle for them. They continuously ask others for a link to something they could have easily found themselves. It's de-evolution in progress.
Don Henley is without a doubt one gifted artist, singer, and songwriter. He's also got an ego as big as Texas, the state he's from. Congratulations to the Byrds.
Henley is a hack.
of course he does
Yeah well, Don can back up that ego with his gifts as a drummer, a singer, a song writer, an artist and entertainer. Not to mention a legacy of being in Linda Ronstadt's first touring band and oh yeah, as a founding member of one of the most famous and best bands in the history of bands, not to mention a part of THE best selling album of ALL TIME.
Iike the Eagles but I'm not what you would call a die-hard fan.
Their body of work is HUGE.
These are just the facts.
Given those kinds of accomplishments in a hit and miss business would cause anyone human to have an inflated ego. Jus sayin.
Henley’s introduction was actually well thought out and delivered respectfully.
The Byrds to me were one of the most influential bands ever to come out of the 60's ...long live the Music and Legacy of the Byrds 🎶🎶🎶🎸🎸🎸🥁
Agree 👍
Totally agree
It was a heavenly treat to experience the Byrds(& Dylan) as they were happening..it was 'a magical time', as Don said
The Byrds and Eagles are legendary. Great speech, Don 👏👏
The Byrds sound was unique, they made music that made history.
I have to applaud Don Henley for that induction speech that incorporates his personal experience of The Byrds while he was a teenager with a powerful description of their sound and their influence. I don't think you can say it better than he did, speaking for all of us who treasured the band and continue to revel in their music.
What a brilliant speech. Great job Henley.
I couldn't think of a more suited person to do the honours. Cheers to the Byrds - certainly one of my most favourite bands of all time!
Roger and Chris are still to this day 2 of my favorite people in music. They are still vital to my ears whom have heard an awful lot having worked on Sunset Blvd for years and years where band after band came from around the world to give it a go. Substance never wears thin and the Byrds in every era of their existence never lost that gift.
What a time it was back then to be alive growing up in the 60s ... the incredible rock music, freedom and creativity of expression... young attractive healthy svelte people with long manes of hair... no cameras monitoring everyone...living was easy and the cost of living was affordable... only one parent needed to work.. kids were raised by their mother, nature was a place to vacation and play in.. no Lymes disease, fresh air with no chemtrails... everyone had lots of free time.. no fast paced stressful cut throat world...the kids of today have no idea how great it once was to be a kid growing up in America.
Totally agree. Folks who weren't around, during the 60s, have little or no real comprehension over just how electric, fresh and exciting that decade was. Creativity was present and accounted for in every aspect of life. Whether it was music, fashion, food, automobiles, architecture, art, technology or social politics. The push for groundbreaking innovations generated a pace of change unmatched today, where change is mostly measured by technological progression. Music has taken a back seat to technology, and it shows. People today, are obsessed with new fangled gadgetry and gizmos. Even much of the music now has a canned, formulaic, quality to it. The 60s was very much a young decade, because a good section of society in the West was much younger then what exists today. The coalescing of so many influential and inspirational cross currents of minds and endeavours happens only once in a while. I'm thankful to have had been given the experience of growing up during that period.
Great read
I for one was a huge Byrds fan back in the 60's. Still love them to this day from 65 to 71 on "Farther Along".
WHAT???? I didn't know they did that - my favorite gospel song. Just RUclipsd it - beautiful.
Great personal speech from Don Henley, it captures the Byrds importance to rock music. They also had some great producers, especially Gary Usher who lifted them to incredible hights !
...."something sadly missing from the airways today'...26 years later, we're still waiting!
Many here have said many touching things about my favourite band. I was 13. Had not yet learned to play. I heard Mr. Tambourine Man on the radio and bought the album - in mono-in Houston, Texas. 8 miles High blew my mind but was banned from the radio "BECAUSE IT WAS ABOUT DRUGS!" What are those? And it wasn't. It was about traveling to England . Fast forward 4 years later and I have been living in London for several years. Been playing the guitar for 2 and saw The Byrds at the Albert Hall. What a memory. I have now been playing and writing for over 50 years. My instrument? A 12-string stereo Yamaha .And I love the first 3 albums as much now as then. That is the soundtrack to my life. Thank You.
Chris inspired me to become a bassist at age 9. I loved it. His wife is also a wonderful person. The Byrds were and continue to be the most inspiring band in my life. If anyone thinks they can play a 12 string just watch Roger. You’ll want to turn yours into a coffee table.
McGuinn is an absolute American treasure. As important as Clapton and Hendrix, for me. No one had ever made THAT sound before. His 12-string became ringing church bells.
IT'S ABOUT TIME. In my opinion, The Byrds were among the most seminal, influential rock groups in history, and I'll tell you why. As a musician myself, I have always believed that the true greatness of any group or performer can be measured by something called, "INNOVATION." In other words, what new things did they leave their fellow musicians to emulate and build upon that didn't exist before them, and lasted long after they're gone? Let me give you just a small sampling of the creative innovations that The Byrds left us:
1) They were the first group to coin the term, "Folk Rock." It didn't exist before then.
2) They were the first American rock group to use four-part harmony in all their songs.
3) They were the first group to use creative, individual clothing on stage (just check out David Crosby's custom green leather cape. Individualized "rock clothing" was unheard of in those days. Most wore matching suits, or nothing special at all).
4) Roger McGuinn was the first to popularize tinted sunglasses, with his signature blue "Granny glasses." Even Hollywood movies began to emulate this style, with Peter Fonda wearing fashion eyewear in films like "The Wild Angels and "Easy Rider," to even Elvis Presley, and the trend never faded, even to this day.
5) McGuinn was also the first to popularize the use the twelve-string guitar, making it the backbone of their entire sound. Before then it was only used by folk music acts, then in later years even by Led Zeppelin. In fact, Roger singlehandedly put Rickenbacker on the map, eventually having a signature guitar created in his name.
6) The Byrds were the first rock group to use a TAMBOURINE as an integral part of their music, Gene Clark's headless tambourine becoming as much a part of popular bands at the time than any other instrument outside of the electric guitar. NO ONE used a tambourine in a rock band before The Byrds, and as a 74-year old drummer, I should know.
7) The Bryds were the first rock group to introduce the music of BOB DYLAN to the entire world. Before that, he was just a "'NYC folk singer" (Dylan owes them... BIG).
8) The Byrds were the first to use "message songs" to express their opposition to the Vietnam War. In my opinion,this was one of their *most* important contributions (like Pete Seeger's, "Turn, Turn, Turn"), and should never be forgotten, especially today.
9) Many of the Byrd's original lineup started great, groundbreaking bands of their own, including David Crosby and bass player Chris Hillman. I hope this illustrates their many contributions and lasting legacy to the entire music industry.
In closing, if you can give me the name of even ONE American band that was responsible for as many new and exciting innovations that would change the entire face and sound of music in the 60's and 70's, I'd like to know their name.
"ONE American rock band who created as many new things that changed the entire face and sound of music in the 60's and 70's"
Black Sabbath
they look basically Beatles' replica to me
I think that the Beach Boys are more original, longer lasting, and produced a far superior amount of hits.
I love the effort you put in this post man! The Byrds are the best !
Great analysis, appear to be right on all accounts. The major points would be electrifying folk, putting 'message' music in rock and roll, and putting Dylan's work on the national stage. Unique sound ("jangle"); launched an entire genre of music. Groundbreaking, they are.
Byrds were good, used to blast them on my father's Zenith stereo in the mid-sixties. Until they came home of course. Saw them too. Worcester, Ma. Auditorium 1967 & Keene State College N.H. 1970!
I remember seeing the Byrds on TV in '65 or whenever. Like everyone, I loved the Beatles, but seeing an American band looking and sounding so cool was a revelation. I was 18 then, and we were all in the very early stages of the musical explosion caused by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, the Stones, the Byrds, and many others.
The Byrd’s and the Beatles became very close friends and each loved each other’s music . There was great chemistry between them all.
@@flip3114 Yeah thanks! Why would it be otherwise? They both knew they were making great history.
2022, the Byrds are still all good.
Excellent induction ! Well said and done, Sir!
l am now a young 75 and as a teen through the1960s I enjoyed the London club scene big time and all my pals thought The Byrds outstripped the likes of The Beatles and The Stones by miles! Hanging on the wall in my studio, in a place of honour since 1965 after I obtained it during my first visit to Arlington Virginia is an album cover containing a vinyl LP of Mr Tambourine Man signed by the entire group which I treasure to this day. When I met Mick Jagger in Mustique in 1988, as we both shared the same Italian architect Mario Spinella, when we built our villas on Mustique and St Vincent I showed him the signed LP which he would have bought at any price, but was not for sale and remains priceless to this day. At least then I got Mick to sing at my Norwegian wife's 40th Birthday party celebration's in January 1989 on Basils Bar in Mustique and Ringo Star and Barbara Bach turned up so a great party that finished at 8 am the following morning! I still listen to the Byrds at least 2 or 3 times a week. They were then and to this day remain the best Folk Rock group EVER!!!
Byrds flopped in England on their first tour..Crosby admitted it..!
One of the most creative and enormously talented bands America has ever produced. To suggest that they did nothing but recycle Bob Dylan is an utterly stupid statement that could only be expressed by someone who never heard "Fifth Dimension" or " the Notorious Byrd Bros". And Gram made but one album with The Byrds so it was inappropriate for him to be an inductee on this occasion. Besides, he was at his peak as a Burrito Bros. Parsons supporters should be screaming for THEIR induction into the Hall. The Flying Burrito Bros.' contribution to country rock far eclipsed that of The Byrds.
+David Murray I would disagree on two counts. I think Byrd's popularity sprung from those dull Dylan takes; second, Gram Parsons took over the Byrds and made the seminal Sweetheart of the Rodeo. To credit the Byrds without acknowledging Parsons is just ignorant.
To make my point on the first item, I just have to watch Roger McGuinn in his chronic replays on PBS where all he seems to do is the Dylan stuff, as trite as ever.
Further, listen to the Parson's versions of the songs McGuinn deleted (vocals) on Sweetheart and hear what I am talking about.
These guys really could have benefitted from professional management at an early stage.
Sweetheart At The Rodeo, despite being a commercial failure at the time, is arguably the most influential record the Byrds ever recorded due to it's pioneering of country rock. That being said, Gram Parsons should being inducted as a solo artist and as a member of the Flying Burrito Brothers simultaneously, kind of like how the Small Faces and The Faces were both inducted together.
I agree with the first part of your statement about the originality of The Byrds and their stellar production well beyond covers of Bob Dylan songs that they brought to a new and richer life with their sound. But I disagree somewhat with your statements about Gram Parsons. He had an important role in the "Sweetheart" album to take country rock to a new place, but you seem to overlook the influence of Chris Hillman in the band, who introduced country influences through many songs he wrote much earlier for the band. They were already doing country rock well before Gram Parsons joined for a brief stint. By the way, so was Richie Furay and Buffalo Springfield.
@@paulkrupa Noticed your comment "somewhat" belatedly! I would argue quite the opposite. First, Gram Parsons was no more a Byrd than he was a Rolling Stone because he knew Keith Richards, wrote melodies with him during the lengthy course of the recording of Exile On Main Street in the south of France, and provided a strong "country" ambience that can be heard and felt all over that brilliant album. Second, there was no Byrds after Notorious Byrd Bros. as any true fan knows. Sweetheart was Byrds' remnant players Hillman and McGuinn with extras joining in, playing Christians and cowpokes music. The album itself was, to my mind, one of the most overrated, overacclaimed things the publicity department at Columbia Records ever nurtured! As you likely know, Hillman and Parsons bolted from the compulsively controlling McGuinn, formed The Flying Burrito Bros' and on their first try, produced an album, The Gilded Palace of Sin, that in its high lyrical and musical quality, brought a new genre of music in to being and made Sweetheart sound fraudulent, lazy and laconic. Not being critical of Gram Parsons one bit. Love his music. Love his soul. He was a genius and I certainly separate the beautiful Hickory Wind and Dylan's You Ain't Goin' Nowhere from my criticism of Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Unclear who you're referencing when you brought up the issue of management woes. We're not talking about Moby Grape here. The post Notorious Byrds were stricken with musical and lyrical "challenges"and management, as far as I can discern, has no blame for where McGuinn, after losing the flight plan and as The Byrds, led himself into the abyss. Only my opinions. Not meant to offend. PS. And yes, Clarence White was every bit as brilliant as his fans say he was and they won't let you get away with an omission whenever The Byrds are discussed. Peace.
@@davidmurray2539 bro coulden't say it any better then you did. I love the byrds. To me the orignal five byrds was the best.
Love! This guy is very sincere. I checked out the Byrds, when I was watching the "British invasion" on "CNN" I could not believe what I had missed.
I always loved the Byrds.
If I wasn't already familiar with the sound of his voice from the turn of the 2000s, watching Don Henley give this induction would have totally knocked me off guard. The sound of his talking voice is adverse to the sound of his singing.
Today, and for the last 20 years, pop music all sounds the same. I'm glad that we can still listen to the 60s, 70s and 80s.
You couldn't be more right. One of my younger sisters recently acquired a turn table in order to play vinyl records. She played an LP from Monkees the other day, and she was surprised at how good many of the songs are. Even if the material had been written by other various songwriters, as far as pop music goes, it sure beats what is currently on the charts.
Con un sonido diferente, pioneros del folk-rock, como dicen un tiempo mágico, Bravo por su ingreso al salón de la fama del rock!!!!!
I could not have said it better, even though it was from Mr. Ego himself. The Byrds were everything to all kinds of music. What a band they were. I also wore out two Mr. Tamborine Man albums.
The bass player is the one and only Chris Hillman, who was one of the most inspired musicians of the Desert Rose Band with John Jorgenson and the rest of the greats, check out Austin City Limits Desert Rose Band.
Hillman also wrote or co-wrote more Byrds songs than Crosby and stayed longer. Of course, it was also his decision (with McGuinn) to fire Crosby; ANOTHER reason Hillman is great!
@@THEScottCampbell lol
Great speech Don Henley. You have a way with words, ever tried song writing ........ ? :)
They should have inducted Parsons and White as members as well.
Absolutely
I thank God for the byrds and for allowing me to dream I can remember when I first heard the byrds I thought you was the most beautiful sound I ever heard and we're talking about someone who love the Beatles but the byrds we're a whole different animal they were angelic and they were magnificent I thank God everyday that I grew up with all this music all around me The Beatles and the byrds The Beach boys the stones all where the soundtrack to my life and let's not forget steppenwolf and led Zeppelin okay but I love the byrds you could always count on them delivery quality folk rock the country rock even when it was a little rough on the edges they were experimenting and creating something new but let's not forget Bob Dylan Bob gave the world head music that was more than just feeling from the heart no patting your foot but you could actually experience thought and I will forever be grateful to Bob Dylan and thank God that he linked up with the byrds and had an outlet through them because the byrds took that rough rural old sounding music of Bob Dylan and made it sound angelic and he will live forever I believe ten thousand years from now maybe even a million years from now they will be playing the music of the1950"s 1960s 70s and 80s because it was the Golden age of rock and roll.
You got the decades right, in regards to the golden era of rock music. As for the Byrds, I liked them immensely when I first heard them, back in the 60s. The opening strains of "Turn,Turn, Turn," is still powerful enough to command a listen, and "8 Miles High, " can never be heard enough. These are benchmarks of a great band.
The end of the year 1999 was bad for the Eagles. Byrds and Eagles forever!
Why?
Henley didn’t come right out and say so, but if there hadn’t been a Byrds, there never would have been an Eagles.
Magically time in the music it has been...
I endured for five minutes this self indulgent monologue in the expectation that I would see the byrds and it finished just as he was introducing them
Was he running for office
It's not self-indulgent to frame The Byrds music and legacy by giving his personal inspiration and then describe in vivid terms the impact that the band had on music and culture. I think it was a very effective strategy using that kind of segue rather than just praising a band with something that anyone with writing ability could create. You don't like Henley, that's your choice. But don't distort the induction speech to make it sound like something it's not.
You dont like Henley. Ok, your choice. But this speech is pure class and btw: and induction held by one is always a monolog.
a beautiful message by don henley, congrats.
Don Henley is the GOAT.
He may be a bit of a dick, but he is up there with McCartney and who else as living legends. Let me think about that for a while. Maybe Jimmy and Robert. Who else?
Hard to believe that was 30 years ago!
5 of the orignal byrds . they were together on stage.i heard a recording on u tube mike clark would never be in a band with roger any more .well he did. He did not care for roger .he didn't have many kind words to say about him.its to bad things turned out the way it did.they were so good when they played together.
As well as Batten and York....that 2nd/3rd incantation of the Byrds were phenomenal muscians....
Funny how Don made the induction mostly about him.
Wow, such a grasp of what was happening, then and even now.
Gene Clark was great....Just listen to "I'll Feel A Whole Lot Better"....Rock and roll before the music really died.
Ol’ Don is a bucketful of fun. Hell, he should host a comedy roast. Don’t know how anyone this dry and utterly bereft of anything resembling warmth be such a gifted artist?
God forbid that Don Henley doesn't make everything about him.
What'd they cut off the video for. I wanted to see the Byrds! Dang!
This night in 1991 bush announced we were sending troops to Iraq, set a somber tone on the evening
Not Iraq, Kuwait.
Don Henley got his hair done at Douche Cuts. At least he didn't seem as bitter as he does now.
LOL!
They were all Byrds & contributed to the legacy. To say the musicians who came after the original 5 weren't really Byrds is an insult to their hard work & dedication to their craft.
Hard work and dedication may be admirable but have nothing to do with originality, creativity, innovation, distinguished music or lasting impact. That would be the original Byrds, not the later version of the band that McGuinn created. Sure, Clarence White was a great guitar player, and others in that later iteration were talented enough, but they were not the magical chemistry, creativity or sound that we associate with The Byrds with three or more of their original members together.
Thank you Mr. Henley, for such an inspired and touching speech. I couldn't have expressed my thoughts and feelings any better.
No Byrds in this video. It’s all Don Henley, too much of him!!
1991. Hell still hadn't frozen over.
Now thats a speech mama
all you Eagles groupies make me puke.
👍 😘
I agree with that - it was the original lineup that invented what was called folk-rock, and influenced musicians all over the world with that sound, and sold millions of records. McGuinn, Clark, Hillman, Crosby and Clarke...forever known as the Byrds.
I'm not much of a fan of Don Henley but he did a phenomenal job with this induction
Where's the band members portion?
As if the piece is about him, so self indulgent.
the group that should be in the Rock and Roll Hall of fame, is The Wrecking Crew, sometimes called The click, the real musicians, Carol Kaye, Hal Blaine, Danny Tedesco, and others, who were the REAL musicians, who played on those records and created that sound, and with the beach boys, and many other hit songs, Dave Mcguinn, was apparently the only one who played on most of the records, and did he write any of this music?
Hal Blaine did play on one song "Mr. Tambourine Man"; Jerry Cole (Jerald Kolbrak), Leon Russell, Bill Pittman, and Larry Knetchel were the other session players of the Wrecking Crew who played on the previous mentioned song not the ones you listed. As good as the Wrecking Crew was, they only played on a single Byrd song.
+bird zone I believe that would be Tommy Tedesco. Also, Glen Campbell was a plank holder with the Wrecking Crew.
Gram Parsons had worked under contract with Lee Hazelwood who also employed several of the Wrecking Crew on his productions.
Jim McGuinn (now he is Roger McGuinn) and the other Byrds were not songwriters until they saw Gene Clark spending his monies. I personally felt that Gene Clark was a lyrical Savant and a genius in blending multiple styles of music into an album, he had a "typical" education yet Chris Hillman said Gene did very little reading and was just a natural when it came to writing. The album "No Other" was such a departure from most of the music at that time, it was unfortunately overlooked. It could also have been that the album was over budget and Gene was not the easiest to work with... hence a different record label for each solo album.
The Wrecking Crew was sometimes called "The Clique". They were real musicians, who played on Mr. Tamborine Man. So were the Byrds who played on all other Byrds records. "Dave" McGuinn was actually Jim [and then Roger] McGuinn. Yes, he wrote a lot of the music including 5D (Fifth Dimension), Mr. Spaceman etc. & co-wrote others.
Does anyone Remember Bill Aiken?
Begifted speech.Thanks rockhall for sharing.
Gram ❤
That suit is ridiculous....you could fit ten of him in there
I like nothing by Gram Parsons. Try Graham Parker (with or without the Rumor) for some great songs.
same old award show. I came here for the byrds got a ? speech only
Ego with a suit to match.
Love the Byrds. A seminal band. But to be clear, they did NOT invent "Folk Rock". They may have "pioneered" Folk Rock, however Bob Dylan invented "Folk Rock". The Byrds first album was "Mr. Tambourine Man" which was released in June of 1965. On that album they recorded several Bob Dylan songs including the title track "Mr. Tambourine Man" as well as "All I Really Want to Do" and "Chimes of Freedom". Dylan released his album "Bringing It All Back Home" in April of 1965. On that LP were the songs "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and "Maggie's Farm" which were both electrified "Folk Rock" songs. Just saying for clarity.
I have always thought of Don Henley as somewhat dry and overly serious. I was clearly wrong. In that intro, he is funny and he nails it. That's the way it was in '65.
Not for me in 65...
Too much talking from Henley and no Byrds appear. 👎
And Don thought the world was badly in need of some optimism then!
What about Gram?
He sounds like Bill Murray's character from caddy shack.
So, where the hell are the Byrds¿☆?
Why wasn't Gram Parsons and Clarence White included in that?
The Byrds came to Cape Town SA in 1968... Alhambra Theatre...
Apartheid Nazism was in full bully boy operation... getting steadily worse by the day... Vorster (Chief Nazi) & PW as his Defence Minister (Narcissistic evilness at it's most powerful)...
Supporting Acts were Staccatos (SA mediocre pop group) & British female singer who really was'nt appealing to rude young crowd at all....in fact yheir insidious comic comments made her run off stage crying...Then quite a while later a dramatic pause - crowd getting restless and suddenly... "Mr Tambourine Man" started...strobe lights flashing - CURTAINS NOT OPENING...went on for quite a few numbers...crowd shouting... about 15 min later curtains opened - ALL BAND MEMBERS HAD THEIR BACKS TO THE AUDIENCE except David Crosby - he stood sideways and dedicted all the songs to OTIS REDDING - Black Soul Singer - vocally stating : "but you lot wouldn't know who he is..." boos & "Yanks Go Home!!!" were shouted to the group... this was more exciting than if it'd been concert with no drama... Politics ruled the day... they weren't allowed to play to multi-racial audience and the Byrds were p****d... and so they shld've been - my friends and I were totally in agreement with them and just became bigger fans... they played for half an hour then said due to laryngitis they cldn't go on... crowd cld get their tickets refunded... SO glad to have seen them - their influence was brilliant... always admired them... and their music... phew!!!
Thanks for the greatest music guys... thanks...
RIP Clarence White
That boy's name was Mitch Cumstein.
*WTF?* *'Dylan 'influenced' the Beatles?* According to whom?*
*As Lennon said "I don't believe/in Zimmerman"*
*Why in fuck am I hearing Henley's 'musical bona fides' rather than that of Hillman and McGuinn?*
and what about their genius, Clarence White ?
Great player but he wasn't really a part of their HoF-worth albums. Bluegrass HoF for sure.
Clarence PLAYED on every Byrds album since "Younger Than Yesterday", far more albums than Crosby, but dead men don't attend awards ceremonies.
Roger mcguinn got the 12 string guitar idea from George Harrison
George Harrison
McGuinn was playing acoustic 12-string before The Byrds. He is on a 1963 compilation album of 12-string guitar with Mason Williams, Joe Maphis, Glen Campbell, and others. He also played 12-string guitar on Judy Collins' 3rd album (1963). This was before The Beatles swept America.
I am a huge Henley fan but he needs to get a better tailor. That suit jacket is huge.
Any mention of the Wrecking Crew on all those records that made the R and R Hall of F?
Good point because I know Leon Russel was on Tambourine Man (the album) and Glen Campbell may have been too. Mcguinn was the only one they let record.
@@nealjones2901 Only on the Mr. Tambourine Man single. The band played all the other tracks.
His own memories.
"On to Britain and other parts of Europe"
Just for the record (as Don would say) Britain has never been part of Europe!!!
"i hate the fuckin Eagles, man!"
***** Yeah? Well, that's just like....your opinion, man...
Ditto
Who is this a tribute to? Henley or the Byrds?
Interestingly...Crosby tended to put down the Eagles
You know that is true and it's ironic that they would say that because the eagles took what Crosby stills and Nash and Young did and polished it all up and gave the world quality reproducible music it sounded perfect every time and this was the immense respectable musicalintegrity that people yearned and look for but was always falling short with Crosby stills and Nash and young because they were loosly an act who jammed and never practiced that much then came out and sorta shot from the hip and thought that was good enough but the Byrds tried to give you the same performance every time and I think the eagles looked at that and said yes that's what we need to do the eagles gave you the written song perfect every time note-for-note you could trust that what you fell in love with is what you would hear and there's nothing wrong with that and turns out that musicianship was very appealing to the masses because they gave you everything that a band should deliver a good song structure a good vocal a good backup vocal a good guitar lead and overall quality I'll musicianship that had to be respected.
@@HD35MAN Perfect every time, eh? Apparently you're a stranger to the Eagles' bootleg catalog...
@@HD35MAN Don't compare the Byrds with CSN, never could stand that act. The Eagles were all about slick and commercial, especially anything Henley or Frey had anything to do with.
Crosby has a greater ego than Henley, though not nearly as much songwriting talent. By all
accounts he was a real *sshole and very difficult to work with.
@@HD35MAN Another contender for Worlds Longest Sentence!
Wow, what a friggin' ego. All about him...
David Shakespeare ' I read Don Felder's book---seems like Henley (and Frey) should have had mental health therapy. Really outsized egos, controlling, petty, demeaning in little ways....the types of guys that if you had to deal with them, you'd shrug they were jerks.
Yep ...hair was growing..ha ha ha
The goofball took forever to introduce the Byrds.
yeah Byrds and Eagles
freighttrainsahpassing .....”8 Miles High”.....
Why is he speaking in the third person
Lets see…Don Henley or Mike Love…?
Where did all the talent go?I mean NEW talent.
great speech
That's a pretty baggy suit!
he got that from David Byrne. lol
Don's speaking voice was deep, but he had an impressive vocal range when he worked with the Eagles and on his solo albums.
What is Henley refering to in the begining?
Himself, of course.
whats the bass players name?
There is no bass player in this video.
+mellotron i ment the bass player of the byrds... obviously!
It was Ozzy Osbourne.
Seriously? googling it would be a lot faster
You're right, but I've noticed these days that most people live life on their smart phone with its tiny screen and googling is just too much of a hassle for them. They continuously ask others for a link to something they could have easily found themselves. It's de-evolution in progress.