They’re Flying High: Teen Screen January 1966
A byrds-eye view: Mike Clarke, David Crosby, Jim McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Gene Clark often spoke together in coffee houses, but didn’t rise to fame until they combined their talents to become the Byrds.
Once started, there was no stopping them. There was only one way to go and that was up. Their unusual sound is matched by an unusual name The latter was born at a party on Thanksgiving Day 1964.
The group had already formed by then, but as yet, they remained nameless. So they talked the problem over at the party.
Someone suggested “Birds”, but that was a nickname for girls in England. “Burds” was also mentioned, but that just wasn’t quite right. Then a ‘y” was added to the conversation and the group ended up saying “y not?” And, that very day, they became the Byrds.
A lot has happened to the group since then. Their first recording, Dylan’s fabulous “Mr. Tambourine Man’, hit the number one slot in the country.
The press and public alike found the Byrds weren’t for the birds, and life for the group became a whirlwind of interviews and recording sessions.
As you probably already know, TS was the first national magazine to feature the Byrds. The TS story came out even before their first disc was on sale
When the disc hit the top in England, too, the Byrds flew over to get better acquainted.
The Byrds Teen Screen 1966
Britain loved the Byrds and the feeling was mutual.
“England is so different,’ they said. “Just like you see it in the movies.” Out of all the cities they performed in, London was their favourite. The reason ?
“They’ve got more things going. In little towns it’s dull.”
The Byrds love performing whether it be a taped show or a live one. But, as they put it, “It’s more exciting to perform with a large crowd.” With a number one record comes fame, and with fame goes privacy. They don’t have much time to relax these days Driving around in their cars is about all the group does to unwind. That and just talking.
They’re flying
Like the time they sat around and decided what they’d ask for if they had three wishes. ‘You wish for ten million dollars,’ Mike Clarke offered. “No, many billions of dollars and a dog I can’t get asthma from. Also a beautiful pad overlooking the sea.”
Jim McGuinn thought awhile. I’d like to have a jet plane and enough money to keep it going. Third, I’d like to have a lot of love.”
The dislikes of all five Byrds are much the same. Poverty, war, ignorance. So are their likes. Jim summed it up in just a few words. “I don’t like negatives — I like positives.”
And they all like to be with people who make them feel at ease and who enjoy similar interests. One of their favourite people is their manager, Derek Taylor, former press agent of the Beatles. An understandable preference.
Among their hobbies are records, travelling, model building and stamp collecting. “I like to make apple pies,’ added Jim.
They like sports although they don’t have much opportunity to participate or even spectate. And like most groups, they’d very much like to make a movie. Especially in technicolour!
The Byrds have many goals, but they want to be “a smashing success’ above all. (Which they already are, but don’t tell them.) When Mike was confronted with the question of who he would be if he could choose any person in the world, he answered, “I’d stay myself. Why? It’s fun and I’m used to me.”
A Byrds-Eye View
After being asked if they had any particular message for their fans, the Byrds said, “We LOVE you all”. Then they flashed five grins and kidded “Keep buying records!” A talented fivesome.
Although some say the group is too “cool” on stage, most people think otherwise. The Byrds have talent and make good music. Being cool is just being them, and it’s good they aren’t changing because of their sudden burst of popularity.
Fame hasn’t gone to their heads, and won’t. They’re the same off stage as they are on. While the Beatles were in Hollywood, the Byrds spent much time with the foursome. The Beatles had attended a Byrds performance in England and became fans for life.
Ringo was the only Beatle who didn’t meet the Byrds in England. He was staying home with Maureen then, hoping for a boy (just goes to show that wishing can make it so).
Dylan gig
The Byrds returned the courtesy by attending the Beatle concert in Hollywood (they were also seen at the Bob Dylan concert four nights later). What did they think of it? “Great! It was everything that you would expect. Really beautiful.”
Their comments on the Beatles, who named the Byrds as their favourite group at a Hollywood press conference? “Oh, we dig them! They’re a good group and nice people.”
The question is, what makes the Byrds so great? Besides their music, that is. Is it their cool and quiet personalities? Maybe it’s because they don’t put on any fronts and just act naturally. Or then again, is it their conservativeness that projects an entirely new image ?
It’s all those qualities put together, that’s what. The Byrds are sensitive, talented people, and they just take life as it comes and don’t rush through it. But they’re flying high, and thanks to their wonderful records, we’re right up there with them !
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