Why did David Crosby leave the Byrds?

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The Byrds were a key band in shaping the music scene of the 1960s. While their impact may not have resonated as deeply as that of the Beatles, Stones, and Beach Boys, it was the Byrds who successfully introduced folk rock to the masses.

Throughout the heart of the decade, they ruled the music charts, and a significant factor contributing to their popularity was the harmonious vocal blend of band members Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby. On stage, their voices blended beautifully in recordings, although it’s said that harmony sometimes eluded them off-stage.

During his tenure with the band, Crosby was an emerging songwriting prodigy; however, Terry Melcher, the Byrds’ producer (who infamously was targeted by Charles Manson for murder), didn’t appreciate his compositions and instead favored McGuinn’s songs and those of the lead writer Gene Clark.

David Crosby was fired from the Byrds in 1967

After Melcher and Clark left The Byrds in 1966, Crosby received writing credits on their albums. However, the tension persisted. Notably, the rhythm guitarist began to form friendships, particularly with Buffalo Springfield and Stephen Stills. During the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967, he even performed with them. It was apparent that he had a stronger connection with Stills.

Additionally, the Byrds found Crosby’s controversial antics, evident in his songs and performances, to be unsettling. He often performed explicit songs like “Triad,” a number about a threesome, and used concerts as a platform for lengthy discussions on the assassination of JFK. In 1967, McGuinn, Hillman, and drummer Michael Clarke visited Crosby’s residence and dismissed him from the band.

They attributed his unpredictable actions as the reason, and many years after, Crosby confessed to being a challenging bandmate. In 2018, he explained to Mojo, “I was an extremely egotistical youngster, constantly seeking all the spotlight I could find.” Despite his past difficulties, Crosby continued to achieve even more prominence with his Buffalo Springfield companion in the band Crosby, Stills and Nash.

He reunited with the band in 1973 and 1991

The Byrds carried on without Crosby, and in 1968, they teamed up with Gram Parsons as his replacement. Together, they produced a significant country rock album. However, their commercial fame didn’t match that of Crosby, Stills, and Nash. Interestingly, despite the issues among Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Crosby reconnected with The Byrds in 1973.

Originally, the lead guitarist, now a renowned figure, consented to rejoin his former band under the condition that he would oversee the production of the album. This self-titled record also marked Gene Clark’s return. Rock enthusiasts eagerly awaited its release, but upon its debut, it was generally met with disappointment. Ultimately, this final album became the last addition to The Byrds discography.

In 1991, the founding members, such as Crosby, reunited for one final performance at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony. Unfortunately, Crosby passed away in 2023 at the age of 83. However, McGuinn and Chris Hillman continue to be active in music today.

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2025-02-07 23:00