The Byrds: 1964-1967 Book Coming, Curated By McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby
by Best Classic Bands Staff
The Byrds at a recording session in Los Angeles, California, January 28, 1965. From left: Jim McGuinn (later referred to as Roger McGuinn), Chris Hillman, Gene Clark, David Crosby and Michael Clarke on drums. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images; used with permission by BMG Books)
The original Byrds’ three surviving founding members — Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman, and David Crosby — have curated The Byrds: 1964-1967, a large-format tabletop book that offers a unique visual history of the group. Featuring more than 500 images from legendary photographers such as Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, Curt Gunther, Jim Marshall, Linda McCartney, Tom Gundelfinger O’Neal, and Guy Webster, the book also includes restored images from the Columbia Records archives and the personal archives of the band’s original manager. The book represents the first time that McGuinn, Hillman and Crosby have worked on a project together since recording new tracks for a retrospective box set in 1990. It’s accompanied by a running commentary of their memories of the group, the era, one another, and their late compatriots Gene Clark and Michael Clarke.
The book was originally revealed in Dec. 2021 with an update on it provided on June 29, 2022.
From ‘The Byrds: 1964-1967‘ book (Photo via BMG Books) The group (l. to. r.: David Crosby, Chris Hillman, Michael Clarke, Roger McGuinn) is joined onstage by South African jazz trumpeter Hugh Masekela (left)
To be released on Sept. 20, 2022 via BMG Books, The Byrds: 1964-1967 will be published in four configurations: a Standard Version (available here and via the links below), a Deluxe Edition, a Super Deluxe Edition, and a Super Deluxe Edition with Fine Art Print. While the Deluxe Edition will be signed by McGuinn and Hillman, the Super Deluxe Editions — which are available for presale now at byrdsbook.com — are the only configurations that will include the signatures of all three surviving founding members: McGuinn, Hillman, and Crosby. The Super Deluxe Edition, which comes housed in a custom clamshell box, is limited to only 800 hand-signed and numbered copies, while the Super Deluxe Edition with Fine Art Print is limited to only 75 copies and includes a choice of one of three exclusive 11×14-inch prints from photographers Henry Diltz, Barry Feinstein, and Jim Marshall. The Super Deluxe Edition is available for presale now at $475, while the Super Deluxe Edition with Fine Art Print is available for $1,700. Once these editions sell out, they will not be reprinted.
The Byrds in an undated photo (via BMG Books)
From the original Dec. 15, 2021, announcement: When the Byrds released “Mr. Tambourine Man” in 1965, they introduced Bob Dylan’s songs to a new audience and launched a career that would make them among the most influential rock bands of all time. With their unmistakable harmonies and Roger (then known as Jim) McGuinn’s innovative 12-string Rickenbacker guitar, the Byrds never stopped experimenting. They incorporated folk, country, and jazz influences into a fresh blend that helped define an era. “And not to be too shallow,” Tom Petty once wrote, “but they also were just the best-dressed band around. They had those great clothes and hairdos.”
Photo from The Byrds: 1964-1967 via BMG Books
The book caters to the collector’s market and is presented in a lavish 10.5 x 13-inch format. Featuring more than 500 images, many of them never previously published, the 400-page book will be custom printed in Italy on 200 gsm premium art paper and will feature the highest quality thread-sewn binding, luxurious quarter-bound casing, and a custom clamshell box for the Super Deluxe Editions.
This is the first in-depth visual book about the Byrds, who were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991, and the first collaborative book by the surviving founding members. BMG also recently published Chris Hillman’s 2020 memoir, Time Between: My Life as a Byrd, Burrito Brother & Beyond. BMG additionally represents David Crosby’s publishing and recording catalog, and produced the award-winning documentary David Crosby: Remember My Name.
Related: Our Album Rewind of the Byrds’ 1965 LP, Mr. Tambourine Man
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1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationIf only this interaction could lead to …… I don’t dare say it. But the “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” shows were literally like a dream come true. I understand how bad relationships can get in a band, but guys, you did something so special together in your youth. Don’t wait to do something that will make so many sooo happy. No one knows how much longer they have to make things right.