While the jangling Rickenbacker sound of The Byrds is often credited as their defining influence, their later lineup after 1969 deserves just as much recognition. By this point, David Crosby, Gene Clark, and Chris Hillman had all departed, leaving Roger McGuinn alongside guitarist Clarence White, bassist Skip Battin, and drummer Gene Parsons. This incarnation of the band pushed their songs beyond folk-rock roots, transforming them into fierce, psychedelic live explorations.
For Manic Monday, check out The Byrds circa 1970 tearing through “Eight Miles High” at the Fillmore East on September 23, 1970. It’s especially compelling to watch the interplay between Parsons’ dynamic drumming and Battin’s steady, grounding bass. At a time when bands like the Allman Brothers Band and the Grateful Dead were stretching songs into epic jams, this version of The Byrds proved they could launch their own thrilling musical excursions just as convincingly.
