Gene Clark | Artist

Harold Eugene "Gene" Clark was an American singer-songwriter born 1944 in Tipton, Missouri. He was a founding member of the folk rock band the Byrds and the writer of many of their greatest songs, in addition to his own superb solo works. Gene was third of 13 children in a family of Irish, German, and Native American heritage. As a boy he began playing guitar at age 11, learning the songs of Hank Williams, Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers. After High School he formed a folk group the Rum Runners, inspired by groups like the Kingston Trio. He was then discovered by the New Christy Minstrels, who hired him and he recorded two albums with the ensemble. After hearing The Beatles, Clark quit the New Christy Minstrels and moved to Los Angeles, where he met fellow folkie and Beatles convert Roger McGuinn, at the Troubadour Club. In early 1964 they began to assemble a band that would become the Byrds. Clark wrote or co-wrote many of the Byrds' best-known originals from their first three albums, including their mega-hit "Eight Miles High". He initially played rhythm guitar, but relinquished that position to David Crosby and became the tambourine and harmonica player. Bassist Chris Hillman remembering Clark said, "At one time, he was the power in the Byrds, not McGuinn, not Crosby—it was Gene who would burst through the stage curtain banging on a tambourine, coming on like a young Prince Valiant". With Clark's chronic fear of flying and squabbles amongst the group saw him leave The Byrds in early 1966 and embark on a solo career. As well as releasing several brilliant solo albums, Clark collaborated with artists such as Doug Dillard, Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and Carla Olsen. Upon his death in 1991, Clark had released nine solo and collaboration albums, including three masterpieces of country-rock: White Light (1971), Roadmaster (1973), and No Other (1974), all recorded between 1971-74. Other standouts include Gene Clark With the Gosdin Brothers (1967) and The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard and Clark (1968). The 1992 compilation American Dreamer 1964-1974 is also highly recommended.

Artist Website: geneclark.com

Featured Albums: Gene Clark

Related Artists: The Byrds