How about Blowin’ in the Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door -name you fave cover but Guns & Roses pops to the top
Dylan wrote so many, so good. Personally, I really like his version of Mr. Tambourine Man. As for covers they are too numerous to know, but I sure have enjoyed Bill Kirchen (ex Commander Cody guitarist) doing extended and very loose renditions in his live shows.
No question really… Jimi Hendrix’ cover of All Along the Watchtower is arguably the best cover in the history of ever. That might a bit of hyperbole but it’s that good. Best song by Dylan, for me still All Along the Watchtower.
When a musician creates an opening riff in which the listener instantly recognizes the 57 year-old song, you know they created something magical. Bravo, Roger!
I was born in 1965. My first complete sentence, a while later, was "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me." My mother wrote in my baby book that I sang it... and that was the first sentence I ever spoke (at least in this lifetime). That song was/is MASSIVE.
I'm a Dylan junky and I never knew how he comes up with the lyrics in his songs and I appreciate his imperfect voice on his mostly perfect use of words
@tom.y9868 - That was just Dylan being Dylan- Alex Jones took it seriously for whatever reasons- It is my understanding that Bob is a Messianic Jew follower of Jesus and has taken my h abuse over the years for it until he decided to keep his head down and be cryptic
People say awful things about Crosby all day long, but in the past few years, he has really been generous, humble, and gracious in interviews. And there's no arguing about his talent.
Very true. He knows he’s shuffling off this mortal coil soon enough. Now is the time to bury the ego, bury the resentments, and do right by the people he knew and shared musicianship and success with in his life.
That intro itself can often bring tears to my eyes. It’s also one of a small handful of songs that will forever command my full attention from beginning to end. A masterwork indeed.
The Byrds are one of the few bands whose gear is truly a huge part of their signature sound. Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker playing defined the electrified folk sound for the era.
I like the diplomacy and simplicity of your comment. Artistically a very important player in the scheme of American music. Personally, I understand that he caused a good deal of friction in the original ensemble and his dragging the group's name and legendary status out to pasture via a slew of highly dismissable early 70's albums with a backing band was, in musical terms, both a high crime and a misdemeanor.
So true! You hit the nail on the head with your assessment. I lost it for McGuinn after dissolving the last version of the Byrds #with Clarence White. Now he's become A human jukebox of oldies and tepid folk songs, speaking for myself. 👎
I was 16 in '65 in England, and a massive Beatles fan, but this record blew me away. I now own everything the Byrds have recorded. Thanks for posting this.
Every single one of us is jealous of the professor of rock having a front row seat to Watching Roger McGuinn explain the creativity behind this legendary song.
Yeah McGuinn was a great original on guitar and as a singer, but in terms of the bands success his ability as an arranger was what put them over the top - as Crosby rightly notes.
Thank you! This was well done. You might want to tell the story of how the young pirate radio DJ, Keith Skues, was given this recording; he aired it, introducing it to England. He tells this in his book on pirate radio history, "Pop Went the Pirates II." He yet lives in southeast England, and I'd say he is well worth an interview in his own right. He retired, from the BBC, only a couple of years ago.
When Roger played Dylan's original arrangement and then explained and played his arrangement to you it sent chills down my spine. One of my all time favorite songs.
Big smile listening to Roger sing! This was great! I could cry just from missing music that was beautiful and real... as in... a human soul singing it.
I LOVED where Mr. McGuinn explained how he developed the opening riff. And the Professor's humble and disarming style got Mr. Crosby to open up (I know he can be a tough nut, LOL) It's cool that the Prof. is doing this with all these legends -they are getting older, and likely won't be around for a whole lot more interviews...
@@ProfessorofRock Love this! Could you please tell us what classical composer's song Roger's guitar riff (8:14) came from when he spoke about creating the new 4:4 arrangement? Recognized but it's driving me crazy (Beethoven, Pachelbel, Mozart, Bach...?). So cool that this version of the song was influenced by it in a way. Thanks!
@@Lexi_Con It's Johann Sebastian Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." One of my favorites by Bach, along with Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor, and Brandenburgs 2 and 3.
I absolutely love The Byrds and Bob Dylan equally. Quite an iconic song in and of itself for a multitude of reasons, and its history is something to appreciate.
Never knew why they sang an abbreviated version, but the slower tempo and radio's ridiculous rules make sense. That makes the DJ's decision to play the song back to back funny and ironic.
@@lincolnmaceachern2410 I always wonder why the Byrds just didn't go into a studio some time soon after, and record "Mr Tambourine Man" in its entirety? It would have made a fabulous B 'side' to an album, to release further along in their careers. i.e. 'The Byrds sing Dylan' with the whole of that gorgeous and amazing song done in that magical and heart-stopping way. I have always yearned to hear them do that....
Brit here who was 10 when this fantastic song was released. Probably responsible for my lifelong love of West Coast Rock etc. Great interview as always . Your passion for the subject really comes through in everything you do Many modern interviewers are either too sychophantic or don`t know enough about the subject to ask any meaningful questions. You always hit the nail on the head Prof. Long may you continue .
ABSOLUTELY LOVE FOLK ROCK!!! Got me into folk music and just great singer song writers. I initially could not get into Dylan. Maybe only a few songs. But when I heard all the great folk rock covers of his music from the Byrds, the Turtles, etc., I became I huge Dylan fan. Another great video. Thank you for making it and sharing it!
What a freaking privilege to have all these artist playing an acoustic right in front of you Professor !!!...Strait Classics in your presence!!!....Amazing times !!!
Masterful. Well done Professor. Getting two masters to sit with you and talk about this and then PLAY it while telling the story.... Amazing. You are one talented guy and I'm glad you're able to convince these masters to talk about how things came about.
I was working at a fast food joint in 1965. Musta heard this song 12 times a night on our juke box. Never got tired of it in all this time. Great piece!
So much great music in 1965 but this was a life changer. I am still in a band at the age of 72 and still include the song in our set. We can't get anywhere near the BYRDS, but audiences of all ages instantly recognise it and sing along.
More of David's nonsense. The Byrds wouldn't have existed without the extraordinary talent of Gene Clark, one of the greatest songwriters/vocalists of that or any other era in American music. Crosby's the best harmony singer I've ever heard but he talked a whole lotta crap on every conceivable subject his "highs" put him in touch with. A "grain of salt" philosopher/social critic.
@@davidmurray2539 Gene was superb, the groups best writer and a strong singer, but how do you explain the great music that came after he left, 5D (excepting 8 miles high) Younger Than Yesterday, The notorious Byrd Brothers, and the even the idiosyncratic Sweetheart of the Rodeo? The bands defining sound and vision was McGuinn's.
@@gaspersignorelli3724 With the exception of your praise for Gene Clark I couldn't disagree with you more, Gasper. There was no Byrds after "Notorious". Their strength and genius was their studio work, especially 5D thru Notorious. Thanks to producer Gary Usher and Beatles influence The Byrds were at the forefront of technological innovation, 15 years BEFORE a whole slew of British bands were incorporating it and making it central to their sound and creating a whole new genre of music! Post Notorious Byrd Bros, no Gene, no David, no Chris Hillman, who was a major contributor to Younger Than Yesterday and Notorious. What's left is McGuinn, a singer of Dylan songs and clearly a very ordinary songwriting talent, and a backing band. Long story short, they never bettered the appalling Untitled album and four or five albums on McGuinn ran them to ground. Yes, the original group, Hillman excepted, exhibited a level of immaturity and indifference to one another that renders the making of albums 2 through 5 a bit of a miracle but the point I want to make is they had boundless creativity in the studio, (listen to Artificial Energy and Draft Morning) and through self-destructive tendencies, then McGuinn's obliviousness to the group's past, The "Byrds" aimed to be a country band, then an arena rock band featuring 15 minute jams of Eight Miles High with "lyrics optional". One of the most embarrassing descents in rock history. I still rue the day they turned into Hollywood cowboys with Ten Years After tendencies! PS. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I think Crosby's very best songwriting moments occurred between 5D and Notorious Byrd Bros, thereby diminishing McGuinn's lyrical input somewhat. Exceptional guitarist though of that there is no question.
Your reply is long. I'd have to print it out to make references. But I appreciate it. Your first statement implied strongly that Gene Clark was the key to the Byrds. But even by your parameters of when the Byrds began and ended, their brilliance from Fifth Dimension through the Notorious Byrd Brothers, happened without Gene Clark. I agree that McGuinn's strength wasn't writing, and - much of his best work was collaborative - and I agree that much of Crosby's best songwriting occurred while he was a Byrd, and that Hillman developed as a songwriter and singer. You didn't mention it but what a beautifully liquescent bass player he was - Renaissance Fair, Everybody's Been Burned. But your main point seems to be that it was the studio wizardry of Gary Usher that made the post Clarke Byrds great. (Does Terry Melcher get any credit for the first two albums?) Well Usher undoubtedly did a great job, but no one has made that claim before, not even the recently deceased Johnny Rogan who wrote their massive and definitive history. And it must also be recalled, that not only Crosby, but Hillman too, says it was ultimately Roger's band. As Crosby states, he was hands down the best musician, a great arranger (The transformations of Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn were his). His brilliant and original guitar work, and the sheer otherworldly glorious beauty of his sound, by itself altered the sonic synapses of me and countless others, and for the better! And his original, idiosyncratic singing, was the defining voice of the group. Crucially he was their turn on Dylan,: Mr. Tambourine Man, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages, and to draw on what you consider, and quite arbitrarily in my opinion, a non-Byrd album -Sweetheart - You Ain't Going Nowhere, and Nothing Was Delivered - the finale of one of the great albums, one of great BYRD albums, of the 60s - are all classic and indelibly fresh and vital. But to get back to the producer thing, the argument is similar to what others have said about George Martin's contributions to the Beatles. Some, recoil at the notion, while others give him his just due. Perhaps you're right that Usher should get his. BTW I have no idea what the 10 years after comparison means. Huh? And I'm not buying that the Byrds ended with Notorious . I've heard it before but no go. There was a continuity from the first Byrd album till the last, inconsistent quality wise though they might be, and altered by the new guitar focus on Clarence White - and that was Jim McGuinn. I could go on, and I'm sure you could too - and probably will. Anyway, nice talking to you guy. PS: Ha, talk about long reply's. gasper signorelli gasper signorelli
@@gaspersignorelli3724 Greetings Gasper and thanks for taking time to develop your thoughtful opinions. Byrds 1 thru Notorious had a unique, distinctive sound of Course. Post Notorious that chemical formula was gone. Crosby thought he could take the secret to Stills and Nash but what they produced in the studio were vocal harmonies so compressed and lacking oxygen that they were rendered lifeless. But back to The Byrds. Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Some great tracks. Wound up in The Smithsonian but a one-off. Parsons and Hillman bolted to Burritos as that band was a freewheelin' affair and likely a lot more fun than being instructed by the dour Roger on what he wanted from them. (I always felt though that The Ballad of Easy Rider was song for song a better album and the one I wished all five of the original Byrds could've made.) And yes I have high regard for Chris Hillman. A master musician and probably the very best student of the bass guitar that Beatle Paul ever had. And that brings me to a basic problem I have with myself. I was such a passionate fan of this band from the beginning that I voice opinions, based on readings and interviews over lots of years, that make it sound like I knew the band and attended recording sessions, etc. (Not true), although I did have about a 10 minute conversation with David Crosby at an autograph signing event at the Roundhouse, London when they were on a promotional tour for Younger Than Yesterday last century. That brings me to Johnny Rogan's definitive Byrds bio. If it's built on a foundation of hundreds of interviews with the group and associates, then poor old Johnny (RIP) may have gotten no closer to the truth about the group than I have. I have never, for example, read a sentence that pertained to exactly what members of band contributed to creating which songs and to what degree. There was a stone cold selfishness that took hold with these guys as time went on that I doubt the really interesting, objective truths about their interpersonal-intermusical relationships will ever come to light. Likely Michael Clarke, if you'd injected him with truth serum, may have come closest to giving a true accounting of things. (A true Rosencrantz and Guilderstern character.) Got more thoughts on The Byrds including why I think that cranking up the volume on "Chestnut Mare" and putting it on repeat down at Guantanamo would've made even the most hardened terrorist part with his organization's most highly classified secrets. Take care.
Fun Fact: the bassist on this tune was Larry Knechtel, the same guy who provided the stellar piano work on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” He was a member of the “Hollywood Golden Trio”, a hit-making machine within The Wrecking Crew that included drum meister Hal Blaine and bassist Joe Osborne. Hiring those three musicians would pretty much guarantee a hit.
I was born in 56, I was like seven years old when I first heard this song done by the Byrds....I knew it was destined for greatness even at that young age, I've been a Roger McGuinn fan since that day. I watched a clip of Roger , now 80 yo last night, time has taken it's toll but he's still rockin. I chuckled the hardest when the interviewer asked him what the best thing he had ever done in the music business and he replied...."get out of it" Of course he meant getting out of what was going on behind the scenes during that era.
Excellent, just excellent, and that song will always be magic for me. I hit 15 when it came out and will always remember Charmaine walking around the school yard asking all us kids what was the latest best song out and we all said ' hey Mr tambourine Man!'
Roger is still so cool to this day. He defies aging and still plays incredibly well. That 12 string intro to Mr. Tambourine Man hooked me on Rock n Roll for my lifetime. The Byrds were my favorite 60's band, even more than The Beatles.
I remember that record. Friends and I went to the Byrds' Baltimore concert, then saw them off at the airport. That meeting with them inspired me to become a working musician. Mr. Tambourine man was, and still is, a great song.
I've always loved the Byrds version of Mr. Tambourine Man, and it's awe inspiring to think of all the bands that the Byrds influenced and inspired. Thankyou for the interview, and your detailed commentating that I've come to really enjoy. ..you rock!
I was 13 years old at the time Tambourine Man came out. I was wowed by the marvelous sound of their electric 12 strings and the obvious sincere attempt at real story telling in vividly colored language! At that tender age it said to me that there was something serious to be done in American music. It proved that American music didn't have to be only puddle deep. Tambourine Man was new and had real merit. It was telling to see that Wooly Bully was charting right next to Tambourine Man at the time, utter silliness next to something seriously musical and profound. Who says Americans aren't fickle? There's your proof. We want it all. We want to be real and we want to have fun. Only in America! Thank you America and thank you Byrds. I will always be grateful for the real pleasure you brought into my life at that time.
Great interviews and kudos for not freaking out when Roger played the song just a metre away from you with that twinkle in his eye! I don't know if i would have stopped myself from just grinning ear to ear :-D
Roger aged really well...his voice and all too, pretty chill guy. BTW...seriously the way you make these interviews and your attitude with the guests is AMAZING. Total class. THANK YOU.
Seeing Roger smiling playing that song is just one of the best things you'll see. He's never lost that passion and love for the music he's created and it was the most wonderful thing to watch. Professor, thank you so, so much for bringing this interview to us all. This is a gem to be remembered.
One of the greatest songs of the 60’s. Professor, I thoroughly enjoyed your interviews with Roger and David. Legends! Well done. Kudos to you. You are a true professional.
When I was sixteen in 1965 this song changed my life, well done you for telling the truth behind this story. I am 72 now and still playing folk rock and still mad for it. Great video, thank you so much.
When I was trying to grow up in London in the 60s the Beatles came on the radio followed up by the stones hey man this is something I’ve been looking for which was real loose I loved them …… it then one day I heard these other dudes playing some beautiful sounds and these unknowns become my absolute favourites the byrds totally knocked the Beatles out of my head from then on I was hooked line and sinker with the original line up they bring back some memories of my youth they have become a part of me they are superb
Any time you have a video with Roger plucking those strings, my mind is blown. These guys changed popular music forever. I used to think that I lived through the greatest decade of music 84'-94' but the more I listen to the music that inspired the artists I loved, I'd say my dad living through 64'-74' had a better decade.
Agree. I have seen him four times. Each show was structured similarly but had a couple of songs swapped out. Besides the playing and singing, the anecdotes he shares are priceless. Roger was THERE at the start.
@@gaspersignorelli3724 Larry Kechtel was bassist on Mr Tambourine Man. He won a Grammy for his piano playing on Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Check out his Wiki, he played on a lot of albums during his career.
I think this song really ushered in the era of intricately crafted, soaring vocal harmonies, with groups like Buffalo Springfield, the Mamas and the Papas, CSN (and Young), the Association, the Left Banke, the Hollies and Three Dog Night (among many) all producing memorable hits featuring those vaulted harmonies.
@@lloydrobeau5126 The G-string is doubled an octave higher; the other strings are standard. Easier to play, and you can bend strings but still suggest the 12-string sound.
One of my personal all time fav songs... knocked me out when I was a little kid and still has the magic all these years and listens later. Damn, Roger is fantastic. Great work POR. Thanks.
Blown away by these interviews! Two super legends, three if you count Dylan! I was 11 in 1965, bought this song on a 45, played it thin, and was gobsmacked to hear Bob Dylan's version years later. AND my first concert was The Byrds in about 1970! Freaking awesome episode, kid! I mean, Professor!
Seeing this video 1 year after it posted. Another great interview, especially in light of the passing of David Crosby. The one aspect of this recording was how the baseline comes in and is so complimentary to the 12 string guitar. This is one of the iconic and recognizable bass lines in rock music. I was really surprised to learn that it was the Wrecking Crew that played the instruments on the recording; always thought that it was Chris Hillman who played that iconic bass line.
Impressive interview! I’ve been a huge fan of The Byrds when I discovered ‘Eight Miles High’ as a teen in the mid-late ‘70s. Back then, none of my classmates were into ‘60s bands, instead preferring The Eagles, Journey, Queen or Hall & Oates. The Byrds had four great songwriters: Gene Clark was likely the first great writer, followed by MCGuinn, Crosby and then (kinda like George Harrison) quiet one Chris Hillman created many excellent tunes ‘Time Between’, Have You Seen Her Face’ and ‘Girl with No Name’. Crosby’s recent albums are awesome. check out ‘Sky Trails’!
Heard them at University of Pennsylvania as Mcguinn, Clark, and Hillman (post Byrds) around the early 80s but they were still fantastic. What a treat that was. Glad to have been there and heard all the hits as well as a few newer songs
Mid-July 1965. I'm in my Mom's 1964 black on yellow Dodge Dart. She's driving the family home from the beach down Park Ave in Long Beach, Long Island to our home in a town a few miles away. I'm in the back seat next to my bro. My sister's up front. I distinctly remember the exact intersection we were stopped at when onto the radio comes the iconic opening riff of Roger McGuinn's version of Mr Tambourine Man. He had my attention instantly. A few seconds later I was sitting bolt upright and demanding SILENCE from the family. Those lyrics changed me forever. I was fifteen years old.
My father loved The Byrds and "Mr. Tambourine Man" was a favorite. He played that scratchy record over and over. He passed in 2009 from cancer. This song will always remind me of that incredible guy.
Chris Hillman is one of my favorite singers of all time!! I have all his music from Desert Rose Band....just anything with him...he deserves his very own episode!! He's just amazing ❤❤
I was about to graduate from high school when Tambourine Man came on the radio. I was already playing in my first rock band and that record changed all of our lives. We still liked rock and all, but now, here was something greater, more meaningful, as David said. Nothing was the same after that.
I played this song (Byrds version) for my son for the first time when he was 5. He is now a very accomplished musician. After the song finished, he was so completely blown away by it, he kept saying to me "dad, dad, play jingle j again". That's what he called it. He didn't know the song's name. That remains one of the best and happiest moments of my life and I'm almost 62.
Yep. Jorma Kaukonen was basically forced to use the Ricky in the Jefferson Airplane, and hated every minute of it. But the results speak for themselves.
Man, all I have to say is you did a great job asking the right questions and editing to tell a concise story. This song as done by the Byrds via the Wrecking Crew on instruments, blew a hole through human social consciousness and is still resonating.
Mr Tambourine Man, I was just a kid when I first heard this iconic song on the radio in the mid sixties, but it blew my mind, I couldn't get it outa my head. Sixty years later, I still get a buzz everytime I hear it . brilliant lyrics and the Byrds singing is still pure magic.
This brings back oh so fond memories from my youth! I was 15 in 1965 and the very first rock concert I went to was to see The Byrds! I was fortunate to have a friend who had some kind of pull and actually got to go backstage and meet the band after the show. Pretty heady stuff for a 15 year old. I became a die hard Byrds fan and bought all their albums, just loved their sound and played them to death. When I was 16 a good friend who played bass guitar and some others formed a band, I was lead singer, and made some extra money playing dance venues and frat parties around our area having a ton of fun. Some of the best times of my life!
I realize that I echo many others comments, but it has to be said. Superb job! McGuinn singing to you and Crosby opening up! I don’t think there’s much more in this world that we could ask for. Thank you. 🙌
The Byrds are such a hugely important band in rock history. It's fun hearing they went nuts hearing their song on the radio the first time. You almost expect them to have been like the giants on Mount Rushmore. Just nodding... yeah... of course. And it's great seeing Crosby in his old age. It seemed impossible decades ago. He looked like he was such a mess. I'm very happy for him.
The Byrds version of the song exposed a generation to Bob Dylan. I was 14 when the song was released, discovered the songwriter, and became a huge Dylan fan, long beyond the Byrds lifespan. But I prefer the Byrds versions of Dylan’s songs, especially My Back Pages.
I grew up during the Sixties, so I got to experience and enjoy all that great music as it arrived. Twenty-five years later, when my son was old enough, I took him aside one day and taught him all about... ...the Byrds and the Bee Gees.
I was nine in 1965, what a great time to be growing up! The perfect storm of intelligent lyricists, musicians, and technology, combined with brave people and magnificent producers! Magical!
I love this genre of music. Back when you could hear the instruments being played. I was able to see Roger McGuinn play live . It was some of the best music I've heard played live. I love the harmonies of Crosby, Stills and Nash. They have such a great sound and somehow they get you to sing along with them at some point in a song. Sadly we don't have music like this anymore. No one plays instruments anymore and I don't know. It's just not the same. Best cover of a Bob Dylan song would have to be Guns N' Roses singing Knockin' on Heavens Door. It's too hard to pick the best Dylan song overall. That's like asking a parent which is their favorite child? Dylan has just written too many good songs. You were so lucky to be sitting that close to Roger McGuinn. There's something from my bucket list. To be able to meet him. Closets I got was seeing him in concert. Thank you for the wonderful interview. Stay safe and take care.
Thanks so much for this. Takes me to a happy place!! I am a 66 yr old grandma now and the 12 year old me remembers my brother telling me how to properly pronounce Bob Dylans name as I held the album cover with pure reverence. The years have surely flown by in the sky of diamonds.
McGuinn never explained (to me) w2hy he turned down joining The Traveling Wilburys but I got the impression he just kept putting them off because he didn't want to be in a band again, even with three old friends.
I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to be young back then, and to have heard music like that coming out for the first time...I get tired of hearing baby boomers talk about how great the sixties were, but I'm probably just salty because they were right. I wish I could have lived back then!
I built a 36 ft yacht in the late 70’s and named it Tambourine Man…..always attracted attention with that name, and she really did take me on a magic swirling trip through some unique places and people in the Pacific for 4 wonderful full time cruising years. Bob’s music has always been with me and I can always delve into his catalogue and find something just right. Mr Tamborine Man remains very special
This is such an informative video, especially 7.40 - 9.30, the explanation of why the time signature was changed and the demonstration of how it changed the feel of the song making it more likely to be picked up by the radio stations. I love Crosby's tale of hearing it on the radio for the first time, that must have been mind blowing, and it's so very true what he says about lyrics, they set the bar for everything that came after. I wonder if the record company deliberately released it in the summer, it has a 'summery' sound. You're doing great work, the 1960's musicians you interview were game changers. They had boundless talent and they just happened to be around during one of the most important times in history. What a fortunate combination and thankfully we have the possibility to record their stories for posterity.
Dylan was a songwriter, his voice was let's say unique. Dylan was smart enough to see the innovation of record producers and recording engineers and artists like Roger McGuinn who had the audacity of playing Beatles music in coffee houses. Dylan could have acted as a snobby folkie but he liked The Byrds and joined in.
I'm sorry but Dylan voice in those early recording sounded like a cartoon character. I'm 62 so lived a bunch of musical history but he was and is a poet
This is a wonderful video-I love all the stories Roger McGuinn and David Crosby told and the part when Roger showed the transformation of the song from one style to another gave me chills it was so good!
Just astonished to learn that the wrecking crew played most of the instruments! The sound of the single and the live performances come across as a sublime group effort. Even discovering the singular contribution of Roger McGuinn in finding the song and adapting it to the Byrds is something of a surprise.
Adam, on a Friday in the middle of September 1973 I arrived in L.A. a 17 year old Navy recruit assigned to go through training to be a Navy Seabee at the base along the coast between L.A. and Santa Barbara. I met a young man who was to be my room mate during this training and learned he knew his way around because his father was friends with Peter Falk the actor. He enticed me to hitchhike with him on Sunday down the coast to Malibu. We were still recruits and had to wear our white uniforms on liberty. We easily got two rides and made it to Malibu pier in the early afternoon. After taking off our socks and shoes we began walking down the beach toward Santa Monica checking out the houses on the beach enjoying the clear sky day typical of the area. Shortly we heard someone calling at us and saw two young bikini clad blondes waving at us from a balcony patio of this white house on the beach. We wandered over and they invited us up and in to the house where it seemed there was a big party going on. A drum kit was set up on the balcony and a guy was playing the snare while another fellow played an acoustic guitar. Just inside the open sliding glass door was a white baby grand and a dark long haired guy with a beard was playing along with the other two . I noticed he was barefoot but wearing tuxedo pants. We were chatting with the girls and listening to some really weird conversation from some people setting near us when we heard from above someone shout SEABEES! It was a young guy with long blonde hair who came down the stairs and introduced himself a Stephen. He related to us he knew who we were by our distinctive light blue stripes on our sleeves because his dad was in the Navy and they were stationed in Panama he partied with the Seabee's stationed there. After some light chit chat we excused our selves telling him we had to get started hitch hiking back to our base before it got to late. Stephen looks around and and said he thought his friend Dave was headed home to Santa Barbara and he probably could give us a lift and drop us off.He asked Dave and he said no problem so we headed out the door to his van. Dave told us he only had one passenger seat but there was a large over stuffed chair in the back I could sit in. I climbed in and we took off north along the coast. Every time Dave shifted his old van the chair would slide back and I would have to scoot it forward so I could see out the windowless van at the coast scenery. Dave dropped us at the gate and we told him how grateful we were for his lift. Really exceptionally nice guy. Both him and Stephen both were. It wasn't until a few years later when I saw the front cover of an album someone was holding did I realize that I had been at Stephen Still's beach house and David Crosby had given me and my friend a lift back to base. The guy playing the piano was Brian Wilson. And the weird conversation that made us both want to leave was a group of people talking about getting a hearse and stealing Gram Parson's body! Gram had died that previous Wednesday at Joshua Tree. I had asked one of the girls what was the occasion for the gathering and she said it was a wake for their friend Gram. I had somehow on my first weekend in California been present when rock history was taking place. I had no clue who any of them were.
at 16 I was helping my dad install a sprinkler system in our back yard (June '65, Canoga Park, Calif) and this came on the radio (KFWB B. Mitchell Reed) It was an absolute EPIPHANY! I walked dazed over to the neighbor's fence to get closer to their radio and couldn't move. Everything I loved about music summed up in one song. Absolute magic! Within a year I was in a band doin' covers on THE Three B's! (Beatles, Byrds, Buffalo Springfield)
Remember when it came out, Loved it! Along with other hits such as Mr. Spaceman, 8 Miles high, Turn Turn Turn & He was a friend of mine. Great band, spent a lot of time listening to their music.
A classic, the Bryds version is the best. There's a very good documentary about David Crosby on Amazon Prime, exploring his career, life and bands he played in. The Wrecking Crew documentary is a must-see. Their songs were the soundtrack of our lives. Everyone listened to the radio in the '60s and '70s.
Poll: Two parter: What is the best Bob Dylan cover song and what is Dylan's best song overall ?
How about
Blowin’ in the Wind - Peter, Paul & Mary
All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door -name you fave cover but Guns & Roses pops to the top
my favorite would be "like a rolling stone" . Hard to choose between bob dylans and jimi hendrix versions.
Dylan wrote so many, so good. Personally, I really like his version of Mr. Tambourine Man. As for covers they are too numerous to know, but I sure have enjoyed Bill Kirchen (ex Commander Cody guitarist) doing extended and very loose renditions in his live shows.
#1, "Quinn The Eskimo", Manfred Mann. #2, "Idiot Wind".🙄🤩😎
No question really… Jimi Hendrix’ cover of All Along the Watchtower is arguably the best cover in the history of ever. That might a bit of hyperbole but it’s that good.
Best song by Dylan, for me still All Along the Watchtower.
When a musician creates an opening riff in which the listener instantly recognizes the 57 year-old song, you know they created something magical. Bravo, Roger!
How about George Harrison’s opening chord to, A Hard Day’s Night? One stroke of the pick, and you know who it is!
Dude, what a feather in your cap to grab these guys. You are doing real service to music and history. Props.
Thank you my friend. Appreciate your support.
Yeah The Prof. has been pulling in these legends left and right...he's really good at his interviews...
@@ProfessorofRock Nice, I've been playing and singing mr tambourine man for years
See the new video (Turn, Turn, Turn) that shows more of those interviews. Adam reveals he is on a mission from God (channel origin story).
I agree this guy is a genius. And I love David Crosby he so real
I was born in 1965. My first complete sentence, a while later, was "Hey, Mr. Tambourine Man, play a song for me." My mother wrote in my baby book that I sang it... and that was the first sentence I ever spoke (at least in this lifetime).
That song was/is MASSIVE.
I'm a Dylan junky and I never knew how he comes up with the lyrics in his songs and I appreciate his imperfect voice on his mostly perfect use of words
He said in a interview he sold his soul to the devil..you can pull it up...
@tom.y9868 - That was just Dylan being Dylan- Alex Jones took it seriously for whatever reasons- It is my understanding that Bob is a Messianic Jew follower of Jesus and has taken my h abuse over the years for it until he decided to keep his head down and be cryptic
He is no longer a Christian. He believes in music.
That’s exactly how I feel.
People say awful things about Crosby all day long, but in the past few years, he has really been generous, humble, and gracious in interviews. And there's no arguing about his talent.
Very true. He knows he’s shuffling off this mortal coil soon enough. Now is the time to bury the ego, bury the resentments, and do right by the people he knew and shared musicianship and success with in his life.
You struck gold with this interview.. At 71, I know it defined my generation. The times, they were changing, for better or worse.
Same here, b. 1950, and without exaggeration The Byrds changed the trajectory of my life.
That intro itself can often bring tears to my eyes. It’s also one of a small handful of songs that will forever command my full attention from beginning to end. A masterwork indeed.
Yeah- the freakin' BEATLES lifted their style for a minute. That's quite a bragging point- especially for guys that are still alive...
Well said. Totally agree 👍
Couldn't agree more.
This song is one of the handful that epitomizes the 60’s to me - there’s a mix of hope, despair and joy in it.
My love and respect for Roger McGuinn is endless.
I always liked Roger McGuinn his singing and playing to me he was unique.
The Byrds are one of the few bands whose gear is truly a huge part of their signature sound. Roger McGuinn's Rickenbacker playing defined the electrified folk sound for the era.
I like the diplomacy and simplicity of your comment. Artistically a very important player in the scheme of American music. Personally, I understand that he caused a good deal of friction in the original ensemble and his dragging the group's name and legendary status out to pasture via a slew of highly dismissable early 70's albums with a backing band was, in musical terms, both a high crime and a misdemeanor.
So true! You hit the nail on the head with your assessment. I lost it for McGuinn after dissolving the last version of the Byrds #with Clarence White. Now he's become A human jukebox of oldies and tepid folk songs, speaking for myself. 👎
I was 16 in '65 in England, and a massive Beatles fan, but this record blew me away. I now own everything the Byrds have recorded. Thanks for posting this.
I'm thankful I grew up in the 60's 70's & 80's... What a time to be Alive. Getting old sucks... I'm sure all our favs feel the same.
Getting old is better then the alternative!
They were the golden eras for sure, it's sad that music took a huge hit after the 80s
*Hey @Hawk Davison I am **_seventeen_** BUT my body is 65* (number goes higher by the years) *HTH* :-)
The swinging sixties....Went to London and had a ball of a time....Soooo lucky.
@@Mrfloydbryant , , , sure indeed ! !! 😎👍
Every single one of us is jealous of the professor of rock having a front row seat to Watching Roger McGuinn explain the creativity behind this legendary song.
I have never heard the history of this song. David Crosby gave some serious props to Roger McGuinn. It was well deserved I think.
Yes. Crosby is notorious for ripping his ex-band mates up. Neil being one of them.
David showed some real class. Good for him
Yeah McGuinn was a great original on guitar and as a singer, but in terms of the bands success his ability as an arranger was what put them over the top - as Crosby rightly notes.
@@BangTaoBeach yeah, will sometimes Neil deserves it .
He's the only friend he has left
Thank you! This was well done. You might want to tell the story of how the young pirate radio DJ, Keith Skues, was given this recording; he aired it, introducing it to England. He tells this in his book on pirate radio history, "Pop Went the Pirates II." He yet lives in southeast England, and I'd say he is well worth an interview in his own right. He retired, from the BBC, only a couple of years ago.
When Roger played Dylan's original arrangement and then explained and played his arrangement to you it sent chills down my spine.
One of my all time favorite songs.
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
Big smile listening to Roger sing! This was great! I could cry just from missing music that was beautiful and real... as in... a human soul singing it.
This is one of my all time favorite 60's Rock songs of all times.
Since "Mr. Tamborine Man" came out I always, always have Byrds music on hand to play. The best band ever...
I LOVED where Mr. McGuinn explained how he developed the opening riff. And the Professor's humble and disarming style got Mr. Crosby to open up (I know he can be a tough nut, LOL) It's cool that the Prof. is doing this with all these legends -they are getting older, and likely won't be around for a whole lot more interviews...
It was an amazing interview! Historic stuff for sure. Thank you for support.
Mcguinn looks to be in great health, hopefully all these legends stay around quite a few more years.
@@ProfessorofRock Love this! Could you please tell us what classical composer's song Roger's guitar riff (8:14) came from when he spoke about creating the new 4:4 arrangement? Recognized but it's driving me crazy (Beethoven, Pachelbel, Mozart, Bach...?). So cool that this version of the song was influenced by it in a way. Thanks!
@@Lexi_Con It's Johann Sebastian Bach, "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring."
One of my favorites by Bach, along with Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor, and Brandenburgs 2 and 3.
@@Keyspoet27 TYSM! ❤️🎶
I absolutely love The Byrds and Bob Dylan equally. Quite an iconic song in and of itself for a multitude of reasons, and its history is something to appreciate.
Thank you for your support!
@@ProfessorofRock Cheers!
Never knew why they sang an abbreviated version, but the slower tempo and radio's ridiculous rules make sense. That makes the DJ's decision to play the song back to back funny and ironic.
@@lincolnmaceachern2410 I always wonder why the Byrds just didn't go into a studio some time soon after, and record "Mr Tambourine Man" in its entirety?
It would have made a fabulous B 'side' to an album, to release further along in their careers.
i.e. 'The Byrds sing Dylan' with the whole of that gorgeous and amazing song done in that magical and heart-stopping way.
I have always yearned to hear them do that....
Brit here who was 10 when this fantastic song was released. Probably responsible for my lifelong love of West Coast Rock etc.
Great interview as always . Your passion for the subject really comes through in everything you do
Many modern interviewers are either too sychophantic or don`t know enough about the subject to ask any meaningful questions.
You always hit the nail on the head Prof.
Long may you continue .
ABSOLUTELY LOVE FOLK ROCK!!! Got me into folk music and just great singer song writers. I initially could not get into Dylan. Maybe only a few songs. But when I heard all the great folk rock covers of his music from the Byrds, the Turtles, etc., I became I huge Dylan fan. Another great video. Thank you for making it and sharing it!
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
Loved it made me feel free, and I was 14,15 yrs.old the whole world was filled with talented musicians and the best music ever....
What a freaking privilege to have all these artist playing an acoustic right in front of you Professor !!!...Strait Classics in your presence!!!....Amazing times !!!
Masterful. Well done Professor. Getting two masters to sit with you and talk about this and then PLAY it while telling the story.... Amazing. You are one talented guy and I'm glad you're able to convince these masters to talk about how things came about.
Thank you! It was pretty amazing.
I can only agree. Thank you for your love of and respect for the music.
I was working at a fast food joint in 1965. Musta heard this song 12 times a night on our juke box. Never got tired of it in all this time. Great piece!
So much great music in 1965 but this was a life changer. I am still in a band at the age of 72 and still include the song in our set. We can't get anywhere near the BYRDS, but audiences of all ages instantly recognise it and sing along.
Great to hear Crosby give props to Roger by saying he was half the band. Great job Professor on another awesome show.
More of David's nonsense. The Byrds wouldn't have existed without the extraordinary talent of Gene Clark, one of the greatest songwriters/vocalists of that or any other era in American music. Crosby's the best harmony singer I've ever heard but he talked a whole lotta crap on every conceivable subject his "highs" put him in touch with. A "grain of salt" philosopher/social critic.
@@davidmurray2539 Gene was superb, the groups best writer and a strong singer, but how do you explain the great music that came after he left, 5D (excepting 8 miles high) Younger Than Yesterday, The notorious Byrd Brothers, and the even the idiosyncratic Sweetheart of the Rodeo? The bands defining sound and vision was McGuinn's.
@@gaspersignorelli3724 With the exception of your praise for Gene Clark I couldn't disagree with you more, Gasper. There was no Byrds after "Notorious". Their strength and genius was their studio work, especially 5D thru Notorious. Thanks to producer Gary Usher and Beatles influence The Byrds were at the forefront of technological innovation, 15 years BEFORE a whole slew of British bands were incorporating it and making it central to their sound and creating a whole new genre of music! Post Notorious Byrd Bros, no Gene, no David, no Chris Hillman, who was a major contributor to Younger Than Yesterday and Notorious. What's left is McGuinn, a singer of Dylan songs and clearly a very ordinary songwriting talent, and a backing band. Long story short, they never bettered the appalling Untitled album and four or five albums on McGuinn ran them to ground. Yes, the original group, Hillman excepted, exhibited a level of immaturity and indifference to one another that renders the making of albums 2 through 5 a bit of a miracle but the point I want to make is they had boundless creativity in the studio, (listen to Artificial Energy and Draft Morning) and through self-destructive tendencies, then McGuinn's obliviousness to the group's past, The "Byrds" aimed to be a country band, then an arena rock band featuring 15 minute jams of Eight Miles High with "lyrics optional". One of the most embarrassing descents in rock history. I still rue the day they turned into Hollywood cowboys with Ten Years After tendencies! PS. I would be remiss if I failed to mention that I think Crosby's very best songwriting moments occurred between 5D and Notorious Byrd Bros, thereby diminishing McGuinn's lyrical input somewhat. Exceptional guitarist though of that there is no question.
Your reply is long. I'd have to print it out to make references. But I appreciate it. Your first statement implied strongly that Gene Clark was the key to the Byrds. But even by your parameters of when the Byrds began and ended, their brilliance from Fifth Dimension through the Notorious Byrd Brothers, happened without Gene Clark. I agree that McGuinn's strength wasn't writing, and - much of his best work was collaborative - and I agree that much of Crosby's best songwriting occurred while he was a Byrd, and that Hillman developed as a songwriter and singer. You didn't mention it but what a beautifully liquescent bass player he was - Renaissance Fair, Everybody's Been Burned. But your main point seems to be that it was the studio wizardry of Gary Usher that made the post Clarke Byrds great. (Does Terry Melcher get any credit for the first two albums?) Well Usher undoubtedly did a great job, but no one has made that claim before, not even the recently deceased Johnny Rogan who wrote their massive and definitive history. And it must also be recalled, that not only Crosby, but Hillman too, says it was ultimately Roger's band. As Crosby states, he was hands down the best musician, a great arranger (The transformations of Tambourine Man and Turn Turn Turn were his). His brilliant and original guitar work, and the sheer otherworldly glorious beauty of his sound, by itself altered the sonic synapses of me and countless others, and for the better! And his original, idiosyncratic singing, was the defining voice of the group. Crucially he was their turn on Dylan,: Mr. Tambourine Man, Chimes of Freedom, My Back Pages, and to draw on what you consider, and quite arbitrarily in my opinion, a non-Byrd album -Sweetheart - You Ain't Going Nowhere, and Nothing Was Delivered - the finale of one of the great albums, one of great BYRD albums, of the 60s
- are all classic and indelibly fresh and vital. But to get back to the producer thing, the argument is similar to what others have said about George Martin's contributions to the Beatles. Some, recoil at the notion, while others give him his just due. Perhaps you're right that Usher should get his. BTW I have no idea what the 10 years after comparison means. Huh? And I'm not buying that the Byrds ended with Notorious . I've heard it before but no go. There was a continuity from the first Byrd album till the last, inconsistent quality wise though they might be, and altered by the new guitar focus on Clarence White - and that was Jim McGuinn. I could go on, and I'm sure you could too - and probably will. Anyway, nice talking to you guy. PS: Ha, talk about long reply's.
gasper signorelli
gasper signorelli
@@gaspersignorelli3724 Greetings Gasper and thanks for taking time to develop your thoughtful opinions. Byrds 1 thru Notorious had a unique, distinctive sound of Course. Post Notorious that chemical formula was gone. Crosby thought he could take the secret to Stills and Nash but what they produced in the studio were vocal harmonies so compressed and lacking oxygen that they were rendered lifeless. But back to The Byrds. Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Some great tracks. Wound up in The Smithsonian but a one-off. Parsons and Hillman bolted to Burritos as that band was a freewheelin' affair and likely a lot more fun than being instructed by the dour Roger on what he wanted from them. (I always felt though that The Ballad of Easy Rider was song for song a better album and the one I wished all five of the original Byrds could've made.) And yes I have high regard for Chris Hillman. A master musician and probably the very best student of the bass guitar that Beatle Paul ever had. And that brings me to a basic problem I have with myself. I was such a passionate fan of this band from the beginning that I voice opinions, based on readings and interviews over lots of years, that make it sound like I knew the band and attended recording sessions, etc. (Not true), although I did have about a 10 minute conversation with David Crosby at an autograph signing event at the Roundhouse, London when they were on a promotional tour for Younger Than Yesterday last century. That brings me to Johnny Rogan's definitive Byrds bio. If it's built on a foundation of hundreds of interviews with the group and associates, then poor old Johnny (RIP) may have gotten no closer to the truth about the group than I have. I have never, for example, read a sentence that pertained to exactly what members of band contributed to creating which songs and to what degree. There was a stone cold selfishness that took hold with these guys as time went on that I doubt the really interesting, objective truths about their interpersonal-intermusical relationships will ever come to light. Likely Michael Clarke, if you'd injected him with truth serum, may have come closest to giving a true accounting of things. (A true Rosencrantz and Guilderstern character.)
Got more thoughts on The Byrds including why I think that cranking up the volume on "Chestnut Mare" and putting it on repeat down at Guantanamo would've made even the most hardened terrorist part with his organization's most highly classified secrets. Take care.
Fun Fact: the bassist on this tune was Larry Knechtel, the same guy who provided the stellar piano work on Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Waters.” He was a member of the “Hollywood Golden Trio”, a hit-making machine within The Wrecking Crew that included drum meister Hal Blaine and bassist Joe Osborne. Hiring those three musicians would pretty much guarantee a hit.
I was born in 56, I was like seven years old when I first heard this song done by the Byrds....I knew it was destined for greatness even at that young age, I've been a Roger McGuinn fan since that day. I watched a clip of Roger , now 80 yo last night, time has taken it's toll but he's still rockin. I chuckled the hardest when the interviewer asked him what the best thing he had ever done in the music business and he replied...."get out of it" Of course he meant getting out of what was going on behind the scenes during that era.
Excellent, just excellent, and that song will always be magic for me. I hit 15 when it came out and will always remember Charmaine walking around the school yard asking all us kids what was the latest best song out and we all said ' hey Mr tambourine Man!'
I mean - our Professor got to sit with Roger McGuinn while he played Mr. Tambourine Man. Bleeping insanity! Congrats!
I would have been in tears.................
I was just watching it here
Roger is still so cool to this day. He defies aging and still plays incredibly well. That 12 string intro to Mr. Tambourine Man hooked me on Rock n Roll for my lifetime. The Byrds were my favorite 60's band, even more than The Beatles.
I remember that record. Friends and I went to the Byrds' Baltimore concert, then saw them off at the airport. That meeting with them inspired me to become a working musician.
Mr. Tambourine man was, and still is, a great song.
I've always loved the Byrds version of Mr. Tambourine Man, and it's awe inspiring to think of all the bands that the Byrds influenced and inspired. Thankyou for the interview, and your detailed commentating that I've come to really enjoy. ..you rock!
This song ushered a whole new positive era of great experimental genres of music written and played by the most creative musical geniuses of all time.
I was 13 years old at the time Tambourine Man came out. I was wowed by the marvelous sound of their electric 12 strings and the obvious sincere attempt at real story telling in vividly colored language! At that tender age it said to me that there was something serious to be done in American music. It proved that American music didn't have to be only puddle deep. Tambourine Man was new and had real merit. It was telling to see that Wooly Bully was charting right next to Tambourine Man at the time, utter silliness next to something seriously musical and profound. Who says Americans aren't fickle? There's your proof. We want it all. We want to be real and we want to have fun. Only in America! Thank you America and thank you Byrds. I will always be grateful for the real pleasure you brought into my life at that time.
Great interviews and kudos for not freaking out when Roger played the song just a metre away from you with that twinkle in his eye! I don't know if i would have stopped myself from just grinning ear to ear :-D
Good catch! I'll go back and watch that again :)
Mr Tambourine man by the Byrds was a turning point. It utterly stood out as a new and unique sound. I remember the impact it had at the time.
Roger aged really well...his voice and all too, pretty chill guy. BTW...seriously the way you make these interviews and your attitude with the guests is AMAZING. Total class. THANK YOU.
Seeing Roger smiling playing that song is just one of the best things you'll see. He's never lost that passion and love for the music he's created and it was the most wonderful thing to watch. Professor, thank you so, so much for bringing this interview to us all. This is a gem to be remembered.
One of the greatest songs of the 60’s. Professor, I thoroughly enjoyed your interviews with Roger and David. Legends! Well done. Kudos to you. You are a true professional.
When I was sixteen in 1965 this song changed my life, well done you for telling the truth behind this story. I am 72 now and still playing folk rock and still mad for it. Great video, thank you so much.
You need your own tv show. Passion, clarity, detail, speech cadence and the ability to listen.
Wow! Thank you very much for your feedback.
It's that opening guitar riff...the sound of a thousand indie bands in the future
One of the most important releases in rock history
When I was trying to grow up in London in the 60s the Beatles came on the radio followed up by the stones hey man this is something I’ve been looking for which was real loose I loved them …… it then one day I heard these other dudes playing some beautiful sounds and these unknowns become my absolute favourites the byrds totally knocked the Beatles out of my head from then on I was hooked line and sinker with the original line up they bring back some memories of my youth they have become a part of me they are superb
Any time you have a video with Roger plucking those strings, my mind is blown. These guys changed popular music forever. I used to think that I lived through the greatest decade of music 84'-94' but the more I listen to the music that inspired the artists I loved, I'd say my dad living through 64'-74' had a better decade.
I love Roger. He is so talented and such a gentleman. I have seen him perform solo several times and he puts on a terrific show.
Agree. I have seen him four times. Each show was structured similarly but had a couple of songs swapped out. Besides the playing and singing, the anecdotes he shares are priceless. Roger was THERE at the start.
Even with the Wrecking Crew, the biggest thing folks remember about that song is McGuinn's twelve string playing mastery.
I agree but that bass line was cool,
@@gaspersignorelli3724 Larry Kechtel was bassist on Mr Tambourine Man. He won a Grammy for his piano playing on Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water". Check out his Wiki, he played on a lot of albums during his career.
I love the vulnerability of Rogers voice - it makes you feel so warm and safe
I think this song really ushered in the era of intricately crafted, soaring vocal harmonies, with groups like Buffalo Springfield, the Mamas and the Papas, CSN (and Young), the Association, the Left Banke, the Hollies and Three Dog Night (among many) all producing memorable hits featuring those vaulted harmonies.
I saw Roger McGuinn in concert in 2019 and he's still got it! His 12 string guitar playing sounds amazing!
Hes playing a 7 string acoustic in this video.
@@bearblackhawk9362 yes, I have not seen a 7 string before, how does that work ?
@@lloydrobeau5126 The G-string is doubled an octave higher; the other strings are standard. Easier to play, and you can bend strings but still suggest the 12-string sound.
@@danoblue thank you !😊
David Allen Coe must have been at that one to
Loved the Byrds. My high school memories are in every hit.
One of my personal all time fav songs... knocked me out when I was a little kid and still has the magic all these years and listens later. Damn, Roger is fantastic.
Great work POR. Thanks.
Blown away by these interviews! Two super legends, three if you count Dylan! I was 11 in 1965, bought this song on a 45, played it thin, and was gobsmacked to hear Bob Dylan's version years later. AND my first concert was The Byrds in about 1970! Freaking awesome episode, kid! I mean, Professor!
Seeing this video 1 year after it posted. Another great interview, especially in light of the passing of David Crosby. The one aspect of this recording was how the baseline comes in and is so complimentary to the 12 string guitar. This is one of the iconic and recognizable bass lines in rock music. I was really surprised to learn that it was the Wrecking Crew that played the instruments on the recording; always thought that it was Chris Hillman who played that iconic bass line.
Impressive interview! I’ve been a huge fan of The Byrds when I discovered ‘Eight Miles High’ as a teen in the mid-late ‘70s. Back then, none of my classmates were into ‘60s bands, instead preferring The Eagles, Journey, Queen or Hall & Oates. The Byrds had four great songwriters: Gene Clark was likely the first great writer, followed by MCGuinn, Crosby and then (kinda like George Harrison) quiet one Chris Hillman created many excellent tunes ‘Time Between’, Have You Seen Her Face’ and ‘Girl with No Name’. Crosby’s recent albums are awesome. check out ‘Sky Trails’!
Heard them at University of Pennsylvania as Mcguinn, Clark, and Hillman (post Byrds) around the early 80s but they were still fantastic. What a treat that was. Glad to have been there and heard all the hits as well as a few newer songs
Mid-July 1965. I'm in my Mom's 1964 black on yellow Dodge Dart. She's driving the family home from the beach down Park Ave in Long Beach, Long Island to our home in a town a few miles away. I'm in the back seat next to my bro. My sister's up front. I distinctly remember the exact intersection we were stopped at when onto the radio comes the iconic opening riff of Roger McGuinn's version of Mr Tambourine Man. He had my attention instantly. A few seconds later I was sitting bolt upright and demanding SILENCE from the family. Those lyrics changed me forever. I was fifteen years old.
My father loved The Byrds and "Mr. Tambourine Man" was a favorite. He played that scratchy record over and over. He passed in 2009 from cancer. This song will always remind me of that incredible guy.
Chris Hillman is one of my favorite singers of all time!! I have all his music from Desert Rose Band....just anything with him...he deserves his very own episode!! He's just amazing ❤❤
Good call on Hillman. Would love to see an interview going over his career.
@@randyschiffer3265 Loved that voice since I was a kid!! ❤❤
Absolutely ! Cris and Gram Parsons did some great work together.
@@pfiztime1511 oh yeah, the Guilded palace of sin is seriously one of the best albums ever
I was about to graduate from high school when Tambourine Man came on the radio. I was already playing in my first rock band and that record changed all of our lives. We still liked rock and all, but now, here was something greater, more meaningful, as David said. Nothing was the same after that.
Seriously!!!
A private concert with Roger Mcguinn... just magic 😊
How cool is that!!!
It doesn’t get any cooler than that!!
My favorite band of all time. The most creative amd influentioal band that ever came from America.
I played this song (Byrds version) for my son for the first time when he was 5. He is now a very accomplished musician. After the song finished, he was so completely blown away by it, he kept saying to me "dad, dad, play jingle j again". That's what he called it. He didn't know the song's name. That remains one of the best and happiest moments of my life and I'm almost 62.
Simply magical and transporting. Dylan, gifted like no other, the byrds, a pillar of musical journey.
Gee, what a feeling must it be to have Roger McGuinn playing in front of you. Congrats!
The difference was the Byrds had that Rickenbacker guitar. In the 60's if you wrote anything on a Rickenbacker it was a hit, what an iconic sound.
You nailed it!
Yep. Jorma Kaukonen was basically forced to use the Ricky in the Jefferson Airplane, and hated every minute of it. But the results speak for themselves.
Things were a hit in the 60s because of McGuinn's sound and playing ! 🥰
AMEN.
George Harrison had one before McGuinn, but Roger made it jangle.
Man, all I have to say is you did a great job asking the right questions and editing to tell a concise story. This song as done by the Byrds via the Wrecking Crew on instruments, blew a hole through human social consciousness and is still resonating.
Mr Tambourine Man, I was just a kid when I first heard this iconic song on the radio in the mid sixties, but it blew my mind, I couldn't get it outa my head. Sixty years later, I still get a buzz everytime I hear it . brilliant lyrics and the Byrds singing is still pure magic.
This brings back oh so fond memories from my youth! I was 15 in 1965 and the very first rock concert I went to was to see The Byrds! I was fortunate to have a friend who had some kind of pull and actually got to go backstage and meet the band after the show. Pretty heady stuff for a 15 year old. I became a die hard Byrds fan and bought all their albums, just loved their sound and played them to death. When I was 16 a good friend who played bass guitar and some others formed a band, I was lead singer, and made some extra money playing dance venues and frat parties around our area having a ton of fun. Some of the best times of my life!
Roger, what a genius. There's no Tom Petty and many others without Roger. What a great player.
very true
I realize that I echo many others comments, but it has to be said. Superb job! McGuinn singing to you and Crosby opening up! I don’t think there’s much more in this world that we could ask for. Thank you. 🙌
That knowing grin of Mcguinn's at 8:50 lol... I love it. That says it all😁
This song always fills me with so much happiness and joy - every time I hear it!
The Byrds are such a hugely important band in rock history. It's fun hearing they went nuts hearing their song on the radio the first time. You almost expect them to have been like the giants on Mount Rushmore. Just nodding... yeah... of course. And it's great seeing Crosby in his old age. It seemed impossible decades ago. He looked like he was such a mess. I'm very happy for him.
Agreed! Thanks for watching!
No one starts with a second time.
It is great seeing David Crosby doing well. Roger looks fantastic! Great history lesson ! Thanks Professor
KRLA! The 60's lives!
@@jeroldbastian790 Yup
The Byrds version of the song exposed a generation to Bob Dylan. I was 14 when the song was released, discovered the songwriter, and became a huge Dylan fan, long beyond the Byrds lifespan. But I prefer the Byrds versions of Dylan’s songs, especially My Back Pages.
I grew up during the Sixties, so I got to experience and enjoy all that great music as it arrived. Twenty-five years later, when my son was old enough, I took him aside one day and taught him all about...
...the Byrds and the Bee Gees.
I was nine in 1965, what a great time to be growing up! The perfect storm of intelligent lyricists, musicians, and technology, combined with brave people and magnificent producers! Magical!
McGuinn is so down to earth....very cool guy
I heard he came back to the Catholic Church.
I love this genre of music. Back when you could hear the instruments being played. I was able to see Roger McGuinn play live . It was some of the best music I've heard played live. I love the harmonies of Crosby, Stills and Nash. They have such a great sound and somehow they get you to sing along with them at some point in a song. Sadly we don't have music like this anymore. No one plays instruments anymore and I don't know. It's just not the same. Best cover of a Bob Dylan song would have to be Guns N' Roses singing Knockin' on Heavens Door. It's too hard to pick the best Dylan song overall. That's like asking a parent which is their favorite child? Dylan has just written too many good songs. You were so lucky to be sitting that close to Roger McGuinn. There's something from my bucket list. To be able to meet him. Closets I got was seeing him in concert. Thank you for the wonderful interview. Stay safe and take care.
Thanks so much for this. Takes me to a happy place!! I am a 66 yr old grandma now and the 12 year old me remembers my brother telling me how to properly pronounce Bob Dylans name as I held the album cover with pure reverence. The years have surely flown by in the sky of diamonds.
I bow down to Roger McGuinn. Musical genius. You must of been in awe sitting next to him. Wow.....
Roger could of been a traveling willbury...much respect..
...could HAVE been..
would have preferred him, to elo
McGuinn never explained (to me) w2hy he turned down joining The Traveling Wilburys but I got the impression he just kept putting them off because he didn't want to be in a band again, even with three old friends.
I can only imagine how exciting it must have been to be young back then, and to have heard music like that coming out for the first time...I get tired of hearing baby boomers talk about how great the sixties were, but I'm probably just salty because they were right. I wish I could have lived back then!
It was EPIC. .......No understatement.
I did.
I built a 36 ft yacht in the late 70’s and named it Tambourine Man…..always attracted attention with that name, and she really did take me on a magic swirling trip through some unique places and people in the Pacific for 4 wonderful full time cruising years. Bob’s music has always been with me and I can always delve into his catalogue and find something just right. Mr Tamborine Man remains very special
This is such an informative video, especially 7.40 - 9.30, the explanation of why the time signature was changed and the demonstration of how it changed the feel of the song making it more likely to be picked up by the radio stations. I love Crosby's tale of hearing it on the radio for the first time, that must have been mind blowing, and it's so very true what he says about lyrics, they set the bar for everything that came after. I wonder if the record company deliberately released it in the summer, it has a 'summery' sound. You're doing great work, the 1960's musicians you interview were game changers. They had boundless talent and they just happened to be around during one of the most important times in history. What a fortunate combination and thankfully we have the possibility to record their stories for posterity.
Dylan was a songwriter, his voice was let's say unique. Dylan was smart enough to see the innovation of record producers and recording engineers and artists like Roger McGuinn who had the audacity of playing Beatles music in coffee houses. Dylan could have acted as a snobby folkie but he liked The Byrds and joined in.
"Bob Dylan" = "OVER-RATED"
@@91dodgespiritrt lmao okay bud it's not like he changed the entire way people write lyrics
His voice is, not was...Dylan is singing better than ever
@@91dodgespiritrt Controlled opposition.
I'm sorry but Dylan voice in those early recording sounded like a cartoon character.
I'm 62 so lived a bunch of musical history but he was and is a poet
This is a wonderful video-I love all the stories Roger McGuinn and David Crosby told and the part when Roger showed the transformation of the song from one style to another gave me chills it was so good!
Just astonished to learn that the wrecking crew played most of the instruments! The sound of the single and the live performances come across as a sublime group effort. Even discovering the singular contribution of Roger McGuinn in finding the song and adapting it to the Byrds is something of a surprise.
Fantastic show for all of us who lived through those years! You are excellent!
McGuinn and McGuire keep getting higher in LA you know where that's at!
The Byrds were one of my absolute favorites growing up. My dad almost always had Dylan in the mix. Probably his single favorite artist.
Adam, on a Friday in the middle of September 1973 I arrived in L.A. a 17 year old Navy recruit assigned to go through training to be a Navy Seabee at the base along the coast between L.A. and Santa Barbara. I met a young man who was to be my room mate during this training and learned he knew his way around because his father was friends with Peter Falk the actor. He enticed me to hitchhike with him on Sunday down the coast to Malibu. We were still recruits and had to wear our white uniforms on liberty. We easily got two rides and made it to Malibu pier in the early afternoon. After taking off our socks and shoes we began walking down the beach toward Santa Monica checking out the houses on the beach enjoying the clear sky day typical of the area. Shortly we heard someone calling at us and saw two young bikini clad blondes waving at us from a balcony patio of this white house on the beach. We wandered over and they invited us up and in to the house where it seemed there was a big party going on. A drum kit was set up on the balcony and a guy was playing the snare while another fellow played an acoustic guitar. Just inside the open sliding glass door was a white baby grand and a dark long haired guy with a beard was playing along with the other two . I noticed he was barefoot but wearing tuxedo pants. We were chatting with the girls and listening to some really weird conversation from some people setting near us when we heard from above someone shout SEABEES! It was a young guy with long blonde hair who came down the stairs and introduced himself a Stephen. He related to us he knew who we were by our distinctive light blue stripes on our sleeves because his dad was in the Navy and they were stationed in Panama he partied with the Seabee's stationed there. After some light chit chat we excused our selves telling him we had to get started hitch hiking back to our base before it got to late. Stephen looks around and and said he thought his friend Dave was headed home to Santa Barbara and he probably could give us a lift and drop us off.He asked Dave and he said no problem so we headed out the door to his van. Dave told us he only had one passenger seat but there was a large over stuffed chair in the back I could sit in. I climbed in and we took off north along the coast. Every time Dave shifted his old van the chair would slide back and I would have to scoot it forward so I could see out the windowless van at the coast scenery. Dave dropped us at the gate and we told him how grateful we were for his lift. Really exceptionally nice guy. Both him and Stephen both were. It wasn't until a few years later when I saw the front cover of an album someone was holding did I realize that I had been at Stephen Still's beach house and David Crosby had given me and my friend a lift back to base. The guy playing the piano was Brian Wilson. And the weird conversation that made us both want to leave was a group of people talking about getting a hearse and stealing Gram Parson's body! Gram had died that previous Wednesday at Joshua Tree. I had asked one of the girls what was the occasion for the gathering and she said it was a wake for their friend Gram. I had somehow on my first weekend in California been present when rock history was taking place. I had no clue who any of them were.
at 16 I was helping my dad install a sprinkler system in our back yard (June '65, Canoga Park, Calif) and this came on the radio (KFWB B. Mitchell Reed) It was an absolute EPIPHANY! I walked dazed over to the neighbor's fence to get closer to their radio and couldn't move. Everything I loved about music summed up in one song. Absolute magic! Within a year I was in a band doin' covers on THE Three B's! (Beatles, Byrds, Buffalo Springfield)
Remember when it came out, Loved it! Along with other hits such as Mr. Spaceman, 8 Miles high, Turn Turn Turn & He was a friend of mine. Great band, spent a lot of time listening to their music.
A classic, the Bryds version is the best. There's a very good documentary about David Crosby on Amazon Prime, exploring his career, life and bands he played in. The Wrecking Crew documentary is a must-see. Their songs were the soundtrack of our lives. Everyone listened to the radio in the '60s and '70s.
I’ve see. It. It is good. Thanks for recommendation!.
Wow. Music magic. Hearing the back story from these guys is wonderful.