The Byrds book

[spoox]

So this arrived from Amazon yesterday. Talk about a coffee table book--put legs on it and you can use it as a coffee table--I think it's priced by the pound. Giant picture book with comments by McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby. Just glanced through it late last night but saw some photos of Hillman with a double PU Starfire bass. He stated his original had been stolen and that's when he started playing the precision bass, but Guild
had given him a new Starfire II bass. However, he said he didn't like it nearly as much as his first Guild and so went back to Fender.
Amazon had the best price on a new copy. Another thing of note: Crosby was the reason they were going to be kicked off the Ed Sullivan Show--shocker! I sure wish Gene had been alive when this was compiled...

 

[richardp69]

Of all the groups I've ever heard I would say the Byrds were without a doubt my personal favorite. I loved their takes on Dylan tunes, their harmonies were unsurpassed and of course McGuinn was a 12 string master. He really maxe the guitar sing and ring out.

I only wish they'd been together longer.

 

[fronobulax]

I think Hillman's original was a bridge position Starfire I. That's what his signature model was. I can understand preferring it to a Starfire II although switching from a Starfire II to a Fender Precision suggests there are several factors at play.

 

[DrumBob]

I have been thinking of buying this book for months now, as The Byrds are far and away my favorite band and always have been. I guess it's something I should have in my collection. I just have to get over the fact that it costs overs $100. Amazon does have the best price.

 

[DrumBob]

Of all the groups I've ever heard I would say the Byrds were without a doubt my personal favorite. I loved their takes on Dylan tunes, their harmonies were unsurpassed and of course McGuinn was a 12 string master. He really maxe the guitar sing and ring out.

I only wish they'd been together longer.

Me too, of course. I simply wasn't going to miss the Sweetheart Of The Rodeo 50th tour McGuinn and Hillman did a few years back with Marty Stuart & The Superlatives. I saw two shows, in Albany and NYC, and was blown away both nights. It was a very emotional experience, as I had waited decades for a Byrds reunion, and had been told by both McGuinn and Hillman that it would never happen. This was the closest any of us will ever get to a Byrds reunion at this point. I would love to see Roger and Chris tour with The Heartbreakers though.

Here's a photo of Chris and I taken years ago at one of his acoustic shows.

 

[Brad Little]

For an inside look at the Byrds, check out "Time Between," Hillman's autobiography.