Happy Birthday Chris Hillman!

Forty six years ago The Byrds had just changed their band name from The Jet Set and were rehearsing songs at World Pacific Studios in Los Angeles under the tutelage of producer Jim Dickson.  Chris Hillman had joined Jim (later Roger) McGuinn, Gene Clark, and David Crosby's folk group to play bass guitar in a new Rock 'n Roll group. Balanced out by Michael Clarke on drums, The Byrds were signed to Columbia Records on November 10, 1964, but the contract originally only included McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby. For Hillman it was the beginning of a long musical career that lasts into today.

The Byrds first recording session for Columbia Records on January 25, 1965 was only for a single.  The A side contained the Bob Dylan composition "Mr. Tambourine Man" and the Gene Clark original "I Knew I'd Want You" took the B side.  Producer Terry Melcher hired The Wrecking Crew, an L.A. group of studio musicians responsible for the music on many 1960's hits.  Only Roger McGuinn was allowed to play his signature Rickenbacker guitar on the tracks.

Here's the second television appearance ever by The Byrds on Hullabaloo from May 8, 1965.



After Clark left The Byrds in 1966, Hillman took a stronger role in the group and even wrote four of the songs on Younger Than Yesterday (1967).

After his stint in The Byrds, Hillman went on to form The Flying Burrito Brothers with ex-Byrd
Gram Parsons. Next Hillman went on to participate in the Stephen Stills project, Manassas, and even regroup with the original members of The Byrds for swan song album in 1973. Later, Hillman was part of Souther-Hillman-Furay, McGuinn-Clark-Hillman, and The Desert Rose Band. Hope you're having a good one Chris!