Roger McGuinn
Roger McGuinn James Joseph McGuinn actually ( born July 13, 1942 in Chicago, Illinois) was in the 1960s and 1970s, one of the most influential personalities of the American folk - rock scene. He was known primarily as a founding member and frontman of the Byrds.
Life
McGuinn's parents were journalists and book authors. From Elvis Presley fascinated, he began playing guitar at the age of fourteen. He was introduced to the folk music by a teacher. In 1958 he attended the Chicago Old Town School of Folk Music, where he perfected his guitar playing and the 5- String Banjo learned. He had his first public performances in local coffeehouses and clubs. The Limeliters were aware of the talent and invited him to Hollywood.
After he had made a name in the scene ( as Jim McGuinn still, the name Roger he took until 1968 to ), he was hired by the Chad Mitchell Trio. He remained more than two years with the group and has participated in several recordings with. In 1962, he joined Bobby Darin. During these years, he began writing songs. As a session musician he has participated in recordings of known artists such as Judy Collins, Hoyt Axton and Tom & Jerry with ( the later Simon & Garfunkel ).
1963, there was a musical reorientation. He was pulled from the Beatles to the irresistible spell, and even appeared for a time as a mimic of the Liverpool quartet.
The time with the Byrds
His next stop was Los Angeles, where he appeared in the Troubador club. Here he met early in 1964 to Gene Clark and David Crosby, who also had a folk background and enthusiastic for the Beatles. Not long after, the group Jet Set to the soon yet met Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke. The end of 1964 was called to order in The Byrds. Two months later rehearsed Single Mr. Tambourine Man reached number one on the charts and made the Byrds known worldwide.
McGuinn was with his 12-string Rickenbacker guitar crucial in the sound of the Byrds. He was considered a leading figure of the band, but found it hard to compete against Clark and Crosby. He was temporarily forced out of the musically talented and equally egocentric Gram Parsons to the edge 1968. Quarrels and frequent personnel changes were characteristic for the group that despite decreasing sales and charts successes in the folk - rock scene for many years played a leading role and were regarded as a musical trendsetter. From 1968, McGuinn was last after leaving Hillman verliebenes founding member and sole owner of the rights to names. Beginning of 1973, the Byrds broke up for good, but found a little later for a short time to production of another album together.
Failed Solo Career
His first solo album, the self-produced Roger McGuinn, was released in August 1973. It sold very poorly, reaching only place on the Billboard 137 album charts. The following year he undertook a three month tour in which he delivered without backing their own songs and Byrds classic. Mid-1974, he put together his own band, with which he toured Europe. In July, he released his second album, Peace On You, which sold a little better. The nadir was reached a year later with his third album Roger McGuinn And Band, the predominantly inferior song material contained. Privately, there were problems: His third marriage failed. As always, he was struggling with alcohol and drug problems and was looking for religious enlightenment.
By chance he met in 1975 in a New York club on Bob Dylan, who invited him to participate in his next tour. Spontaneously McGuinn fired his band and joined Dylan's Rolling Thunder Revue, which launched their legendary tour in October of the same year. Contributors have included Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell. First time in years McGuinn celebrated success again. However, it was his fourth solo album, released in 1976 Cardiff Rose, again a commercial failure, although it was of recognized musical quality.
In 1977, he founded the band Thunderbyrd, the harmonized music only after several personnel reshuffles. The final line-up comprised guitarist and vocalist Rick Vito, the drummer Greg Thomas and the bass player and singer Charlie Harrison. With Thunderbyrd he joined in July of the same year on the first Rockpalast - Festival of the WDR.
McGuinn, Clark & Hillman
In September 1977, decided Roger McGuinn and Gene Clark work together as a duo. End of the year, Chris Hillman joined. After several international tours they released their first album, McGuinn, Clark & Hillman in February 1979. It had little in common, which was welcomed with the sound of the Byrds by the audience. After production of the second album Clark got out and McGuinn and Hillman worked for a short time continued as a duo.
Again as a soloist
In the 1980s, McGuinn remained without a record contract, but was, among others, Bob Dylan or as a soloist performing live on stage active. He has also appeared several times on recordings with musician friends. After years of religious wandering, he finally turned to Christianity. However, a long-planned gospel album did not materialize. With his fourth wife Camilla, whom he had met in 1978 while acting classes, he could enter into a long term relationship for the first time.
After Gene Clark had used without consulting the name " Byrds ," said Crosby, McGuinn and Hillman found together again to a brief reunion. Published in 1991 by McGuinn Back From Rio a remarkable solo album, in which he was supported by numerous well-known musicians, including Hillman and Crosby and which represented a throwback to the sound of the Byrds. In his 2004 album Limited Edition he sat on the music with which he was successful in the 1960s.
Equipment
As already mentioned, plays Roger McGuinn mainly a 12-string Rickenbacker ( 360/12 or later 370/12 ). He bought the guitar after he had in the film A Hard Day 's Night Beatles guitarist George Harrison, seen with her. Its characteristic sound coined a few tracks on the album A Hard Day 's Night (about the title track ). Important for McGuinn's sound also is the intensive use of a ( tube) compressor. With this signal, it goes directly into the mixing desk in the studio, live he increased initially with an Epiphone jazz combo amp, a Fender Dual Showman later or with a Roland Jazz Chorus JC- 120. How many jazz guitarist draws on McGuinn Flatwound Guitar Strings. He strikes with a plectrum and also with finger picks on the middle and ring fingers. As McGuinn Acoustic Guitar is a specially built for him 7-string Martin ( Martin HD -7).
Discography
The Limeliters: Tonight in Person (1961 ) Chad Mitchell Trio: Mighty Day on Campus (1962 ) - The Chad Mitchell Trio at the Bitter End (1962 ) The Byrds: Mr. Tambourine Man ( 1965) - Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965 ) - Fifth Dimension (1966 ) - Younger Than Yesterday (1967 ) - The Notorious Byrd Brothers ( 1968) - Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968 ) - Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde (1969 ) - Ballad of Easy Rider (1969 ) - ( Untitled ) ( 1970) - Byrdmaniax (1971 ) - Farther Along (1971 ) - Byrds (1973 )
McGuinn, Clark & Hillman: McGuinn, Clark & Hillman (1979 ) - City ( 1980) McGuinn & Hillman: " McGuinn -Hillman " (1981)