"Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, and David Crosby and first released as a single on March 14, 1966 The single managed to reach the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 30 of the UK Singles Chart.The song's obscure lyrics are, for the most part, about the group's flight to London in August 1965 and their accompanying English tour.
It's odd that they chose to perform Eight Miles High for this show, obviously mid to 3rd quarter '67, considering the single was released well over a year prior to this, in April '66. The singles So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star, and My Back Pages were much more recent, within the same year.
Michael Clarke was undoubtedly drunk here, not stoned. His is one of the most tragic stories in the history of rock 'n roll. He was also the drummer of one of the most brilliant, yet drug-and-alcohol-addled bands of the era, Firefall. YouTube apparently isn't going to let me post the link to the story he told in his own words (I just tried), but it's easily found on the net.
On british tv they said "eight miles high" refers to altitude of airplane when visiting the "grey town" of London. We all believe that ! This is a classic.
What an era to be a teenager.Richie Cunningham,Fonzie,Potsie, and Ralph Malph- nah,that was fun music, this is serious music.Music to go to Vietnam by.
These guys are just one reason why Monterey Pop (1967) was a hit. Moby Grape and Quicksilver Messenger Service (at Monterey) were great too. The Thought (a now-defunct Dutch band) did an interesting version of this one.
a few comments: Gene Clark wrote most of this song, Mike Clarke with the exception of the 1st 45 and a few things on "Notorious" played all the drums (not session guys) and Gene Clark was the genius of the Byrds. 'nuf said.
Some folks are under the illusion about who wrote this song. It was Gene Clark who came up with almost all the lyrics (Crosby added one line) and the basic tune. However, it was McGuinn who took Clark's tune and made it a classic with his arrangement/playing.
@SixtiesPopGold .... I grew up watching most of these shows...& knew even then they were the LP versions, one can always tell the diff., I was just stating it as someone seemed like they thought it was live... I don't know...
@mainartery2008 - Agree with you on your comments about his talent and ability. Many people think this song is about drugs and his intake, but it is not. He once explained in a TV interview it was about the never-ending touring they were doing, constantly flying all over in airplanes, etc. Wrote it while he was sitting in one on the way to another gig...
Awesome footage. The bass in this tune was so wickedly outrageous. And McGuinn's solo was awesome. But it sucks that the cameraman focused on the troll the whole the Whole time Roger was making musical history!
This is certainly the mid to late '67 period. It's odd that they chose to perform this track, released the previous year, instead of "So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star", or another song from the recent "Younger Than Yesterday" LP.
Vanilla Fudge was the best LIVE band on TV. They still tour and I saw them 2 years ago - they are even better now! The best concert I've seen in over 45 years.
Saw them live right after Mr Tambourine Man came out and they were absolutely amazing. First really loud band I'd ever heard. McGuinn plugged that 12 string into a Dual Showman, and turned the volume up to about 8!!!!!!!
Love the Byrds. Saw them at Hampton Beach Casino around '67. THEY STUNK ! These guys ( all of them ) were so strung out, it's a wonder they made it to any gigs. Anyway, must have been a bad day, cuz THEY SUCKED.
@hamilton59840 The drummer Michael Clarke had a serious alcohol problem early on. He died a horrible death at age 47 after a long period of being a drinking casualty. In the final months of his life he made video appeals to keep kids off booze. After he died his family started a foundation for alcohol awareness to kids. Really a sad story.
Hey Crosby's playin' a Gibson. First vid I seen with him playing a Gibson. Hillman is moving around more than he has in years and I guess Michael Clarke is drunk again. McGuinn looks better with his granny glasses on and his hair longer. He's still cool though.
Commercial Airliners fly 6 miles high but as Beatles had 8 days a week,they changed it to 8..Also Brian Jones of the Stones helped out with the lyrics.. Rhythm guitar superb!
@MsFitzzzz Mcguinn tells it that he being a very technical oriented guy wanted to call it 6 miles high but Gene being a more poetic type insisted on 8 miles as it sounded better...and also those 2 extra miles made it a drug song!
Not only did Gene Clark co-author this song - he had pretty much finished the whole thing and showed it to McGuinn and Crosby and they helped put the finishing touches on. Also - he is singing on the recording - you can hear him if you listen - he is the lead voice- doubled with McGuinn as always with Crosby on harmony.
Thanks for posting this! When I hear this I'm cruising the beach (Grand Haven [Michigan] State Park) in my Mom's '66 LTD 4 door hardtop with the underdash 8 track player and DUAL rear speakers!! It was a great time to be young ... and now is a great time to be "older" remembering those happy, innocent times! Peace ....
Wow, they are stunning! Gene's tie! Ha! And I have to admit, David Crosby looks way cool. They were so great, probably the most important of American bands up to the late sixties, and in my humble opinion this is their greatest work. The vocal harmonies, that Rickenbacker sound, thank you for posting.
Awesome clip - man, it takes me back and I can't stop thinking about all the great groups that were around then - Airplane, Cream, Hendrix, Doors, Mamas and papas, Chicago, Buffalo Springfield, Dylan, and on and on. It was a great, just a great time to be alive and socially aware.
@chas128 Ya those were the good old days the Russians were building nukes faster than bunnies F and we had to keep up. Everyone in my town worked in areospace, and had hot hippie daughters who put out like the world was going to end soon. I was 17 just reaping the cream off the top the cold war ruled! Living in the USA!
@mikemper ~ I've been posting that same thought for a couple of years now. Gene Clark might have been the "father" of the Byrds but it was the driving sound of Roger McGuinn's 360-12 string Rickenbacker that created the trademark signature sound and set their music apart from any other 60's USA band. Could not agree more!
a lot of people took the guitar work for granted as if any guitar could get the sound ..but it was the RICKENBACKER 360 that made the BYRDS a great band
Somehow, a lot of bands had a song that flew far higher than the rest of their work, and such is this song for the Byrds. Don't get me wrong, they have a lot of good stuff, but year in and year out, I think of this song and want to hear it again.
Byrds were always strange... but this song was a real headthinker back then; it raised real questions and doubts about society, the war, and normalcy.
first performed at Whitefish Bay High School, Wisconsin... It was banned from the airwaves almost immediately... the airplane story was an attempt to get radio time...or so I heard...
What a difference a year or two made back in the sixties, compared to how they looked when they sung Mr Tambourine Man in 1965. I seem to remember this song being banned in some places as Eight Miles High was interpreted as a drug song, but I believe it might of been something to do with their flight over to England.
When I saw them it was '71 on tour in Wallingford, CT, at the Round Stage -they were 'SUPER' but I can't tell you who was in the group then. Obviously NOT D. Crosby. I wouldn't say they were passe then but I believe they were sharing stage that night with John Sebastian. So they may have been oddly linked like the caboose scene to 'odd-pop'. Correct me if I'm wrong, PLEASE!!!
@StanKindly Clark is actually heard singing as well - he helped record the first three songs for this album before he left the band.
Clark began writing the song's lyrics in November of 1965, following a discussion with guitarist Brian Jones. Clark expanded this fragment into a full poem, eventually setting the words to music and giving them a melody. He later showed the song to Crosby and McGuinn, who suggesting they arrange it to incorporate the influence of John Coltrane.
@catoohey Thanks, I knew about the Coltrane influence having seen interviews with McGuinn. I didn't know about Brian Jones but imagine "Rain Grey Town..." is London. Anyway, here's to Gene :)
I remember those days, their music had me hallucinating big time and when I showed up to class, I just was not there to concentrate, all the rifts and such had me in a bothered state of mind.
Roger McGuinn was still Jim McGuinn when this song was recorded, He had his tinted "granny glasses" long before John Lennon.
David Cosby bought me a pizza in Chicago in 1966, He left if at a party I was having in Old Town. He left with his girlfirend, a young Asian woman before the party got rolling. When the pigs came, everyone ran out into the snow with no shoes on. Beer and pot and Beatles and Byrds. Great times.
@MacFeeley I always thought it was revolutionary - John Phillips wore the same Ushanka type hat and imagine this was their way of saying "east meets west" "we are the same" etc... as it was the height of the Cold War.
Anyway, more than just a fashion statement, albeit not politically correct as far as the fur :)
"Eight Miles High" is a song by the American rock band The Byrds, written by Gene Clark, Jim McGuinn, and David Crosby and first released as a single on March 14, 1966 The single managed to reach the Top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 and the Top 30 of the UK Singles Chart.The song's obscure lyrics are, for the most part, about the group's flight to London in August 1965 and their accompanying English tour.
mangledinal 10 hours ago
Great song! This song epitomizes the 1960s Vietnam era to me.
TheGraphitte 1 day ago
It's odd that they chose to perform Eight Miles High for this show, obviously mid to 3rd quarter '67, considering the single was released well over a year prior to this, in April '66. The singles So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star, and My Back Pages were much more recent, within the same year.
slimshine953 2 days ago
Michael Clarke was undoubtedly drunk here, not stoned. His is one of the most tragic stories in the history of rock 'n roll. He was also the drummer of one of the most brilliant, yet drug-and-alcohol-addled bands of the era, Firefall. YouTube apparently isn't going to let me post the link to the story he told in his own words (I just tried), but it's easily found on the net.
boblpage 2 days ago
On british tv they said "eight miles high" refers to altitude of airplane when visiting the "grey town" of London. We all believe that ! This is a classic.
meconopsiscambria 2 days ago
Help, On the single what was on the flipside? Was it Turn, Turn, Turn?
deppdelver 5 days ago
@deppdelver It was "Why", but not the same version that appears on the "Younger Than Yesterday" album.
SixtiesPopGold 5 days ago
I love Crosby's hat. Looks like he went on a buffalo hunt and all he got was this really cool hat.
1danrobbins 1 week ago
Crosby is stoned as well as the drummer. Owsley acid
jim196869 1 week ago
@jim196869 Nahhhh.
1danrobbins 1 week ago
@jim196869 How do you know Crosby is stoned? Did he let you in on it?
slimshine953 2 days ago
At one point Clarke is like "God when the f*** is this song going to end!!"
presto35 1 week ago
MrDiceman9000 People can have odd facial expressions without being on drugs.
ahniditab 1 week ago
Transport me back to L.A. circa 1967.,microdot1
dewater5481 1 week ago
What an era to be a teenager.Richie Cunningham,Fonzie,Potsie, and Ralph Malph- nah,that was fun music, this is serious music.Music to go to Vietnam by.
12Daniel7 1 week ago
whoops, I forgot to add, High School flashbacks.
12Daniel7 1 week ago
With Hillman opening with that bass, and David Crosby coming in with the guitar sound, what a sound,so recognizable.
12Daniel7 1 week ago
I love the Byrds.
ftsjr 1 week ago
David Crosby got time off from his sting guarding the Wizard to make this vid.
GregorVonKallahan 2 weeks ago
This is wild thought provoking music. I love it.
mizzury54 2 weeks ago
These guys are just one reason why Monterey Pop (1967) was a hit. Moby Grape and Quicksilver Messenger Service (at Monterey) were great too. The Thought (a now-defunct Dutch band) did an interesting version of this one.
mickeymousebiker1 2 weeks ago
god I forgot how good this stuff was...thanks so much for posting this....i have my headband and daisy chain on....superb superb...wonderful...
cheechnchongsbong 3 weeks ago
like we knew they were lipsyncing back in '67 what's the big deal?
flyinv1967 3 weeks ago
great sounds of spaces around
chuy122353 3 weeks ago
Did Michael Clarke actually sing backup in concert? He's singing the song as much as anyone on this clip.
ralphabetsoup 3 weeks ago
Two choice guitars: Gibson 335 and the Ricky 360 12 String.
charlieleonardmusic 4 weeks ago
McGuinn got it done on the 12-string, tho many of us thot it was Crosby doing that part.
lightlyone 1 month ago
luvvin the hat dave :-) x
RoddyGacha 1 month ago
cool
steeplepossum39 1 month ago
Wonder what ever happened to the beaver that was camping out on David Crosby's head ..? I love this song btw.....
timtipton5071256 1 month ago
a few comments: Gene Clark wrote most of this song, Mike Clarke with the exception of the 1st 45 and a few things on "Notorious" played all the drums (not session guys) and Gene Clark was the genius of the Byrds. 'nuf said.
750drums 1 month ago
big fuckin deal like we knew they was lip syncing before your daddy was born
flyinv1967 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Some folks are under the illusion about who wrote this song. It was Gene Clark who came up with almost all the lyrics (Crosby added one line) and the basic tune. However, it was McGuinn who took Clark's tune and made it a classic with his arrangement/playing.
Cryo837 1 month ago
Lame-o! Doesnt even show close-ups the little lead riffs.
6superb9 1 month ago
@6superb9 most camera operators are idiots when it comes to that
metalschemist 1 month ago
Is this their original drummer? He doesn't look like him.
73849309378 1 month ago
Awesome! Cant wait to go see Mr McGuinn in Richmond in March!
Imachowderhead 1 month ago
Too cool. Talk about laid back rockers unlike a lot of the crap of contemporary so called artists.
dewater5481 1 month ago
There's no mikes, the guitars aren't plugged in, they're lipsyncing, the audio is from the original LP. Great tune, one of the best...
kewlbreez77 1 month ago
@kewlbreez77 Well, you should start reading about 60s music TV. Many shows used lipsync only.
SixtiesPopGold 1 month ago 8
@SixtiesPopGold .... I grew up watching most of these shows...& knew even then they were the LP versions, one can always tell the diff., I was just stating it as someone seemed like they thought it was live... I don't know...
kewlbreez77 1 month ago
David Crosby- one of the most gifted composers & singers of the 60s-70s. How did he do it as he spent much of the time eight miles high!
mainartery2008 1 month ago
@mainartery2008 - Agree with you on your comments about his talent and ability. Many people think this song is about drugs and his intake, but it is not. He once explained in a TV interview it was about the never-ending touring they were doing, constantly flying all over in airplanes, etc. Wrote it while he was sitting in one on the way to another gig...
rockn24x7goog 1 month ago
Awesome footage. The bass in this tune was so wickedly outrageous. And McGuinn's solo was awesome. But it sucks that the cameraman focused on the troll the whole the Whole time Roger was making musical history!
macaibhistin 1 month ago
Aaah yes 1967 ! Back in the days when I got piss over the trunk of a Cadillac.
blueticecho 1 month ago
McNasty here.... This is one of the songs that made me do drugs
McNasty14u 1 month ago
Comment removed
CoyotePoet 1 month ago
Fantastic lip-synching!
anthonypepitoneVideo 1 month ago
This is certainly the mid to late '67 period. It's odd that they chose to perform this track, released the previous year, instead of "So You Want To Be A Rock'n'Roll Star", or another song from the recent "Younger Than Yesterday" LP.
slimshine953 1 month ago
john coltrane licks on guitar
mlkemper 1 month ago
they look pissed off, bored or really tired.
flossflink 1 month ago
@flossflink they hated each other and broke up soon after this video 2-3 months after Monterrey.
Aldebaron9 1 month ago
It's a shame these guys lip sync'd this.
Vanilla Fudge was the best LIVE band on TV. They still tour and I saw them 2 years ago - they are even better now! The best concert I've seen in over 45 years.
MrSkinnn 1 month ago
First it was AB in the sixties, everybody lipsynched but it got Your music out. Rate a record? I remember.
superwrench4 1 month ago
Great clip! - not seen this one before.
Thanks to Poster.
HalsteadGuy1 1 month ago
the original byrds always lypsynced.....wymps......lol.
posthumanhero 2 months ago
Saw them live right after Mr Tambourine Man came out and they were absolutely amazing. First really loud band I'd ever heard. McGuinn plugged that 12 string into a Dual Showman, and turned the volume up to about 8!!!!!!!
pbgoodwin1 2 months ago
Love the Byrds. Saw them at Hampton Beach Casino around '67. THEY STUNK ! These guys ( all of them ) were so strung out, it's a wonder they made it to any gigs. Anyway, must have been a bad day, cuz THEY SUCKED.
kbswzawl0 2 months ago in playlist MO POP
Anyone else think the drummer is tripping in this vid?
MrDiceman9000 2 months ago 6
@MrDiceman9000 I think so.
He looks a bit "stoned"...
(or in this case, "wasted")
But I would not feel so all alone...
Everybody must get stoned....LOL ;)
hamilton59840 2 months ago in playlist Liked videos
@hamilton59840 The drummer Michael Clarke had a serious alcohol problem early on. He died a horrible death at age 47 after a long period of being a drinking casualty. In the final months of his life he made video appeals to keep kids off booze. After he died his family started a foundation for alcohol awareness to kids. Really a sad story.
misterdirtyknees 1 month ago
@misterdirtyknees Fortunately David Crosby got a new liver and has able to father a child for a copuple of lesbians.
flossflink 1 month ago
@MrDiceman9000 Totally! Like wow, man!
rockcandy15 2 months ago
@MrDiceman9000 Trippin' balls fer sure man....
timtipton5071256 1 month ago
@MrDiceman9000
He's on something else.He likes playing with his eyes closed which I find rare in drummers. Maybe just really good weed and he a light weight.
cmmwiz 1 week ago
@MrDiceman9000 duh who wasn't? ha ha
ezbell80 1 week ago
Comment removed
slimshine953 2 days ago
This has been flagged as spam show
@MrDiceman9000 No.
slimshine953 2 days ago
Tribute to Steve Marriott.
good2000ful 2 months ago
Hey Crosby's playin' a Gibson. First vid I seen with him playing a Gibson. Hillman is moving around more than he has in years and I guess Michael Clarke is drunk again. McGuinn looks better with his granny glasses on and his hair longer. He's still cool though.
MrNocaster1 2 months ago
such a great strain of lysergy to have consumed and eventually pooped into the enviroment again
SuperMegaUberGenius 2 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
thunderbirds of the ancient aztecs
/watch?v=FfEuVdFiL4g
carrion comfort or mork calling orson
SuperMegaUberGenius 2 months ago
David Crosby looks great here!...what a rare clip. Fantastic!
Torkgasmicgirl8 2 months ago
this is one of my all time favourites..........psychedelia began with this song..........period.
MrRobangelo 2 months ago
Fuckingtastic!
MsParapapa 2 months ago
Commercial Airliners fly 6 miles high but as Beatles had 8 days a week,they changed it to 8..Also Brian Jones of the Stones helped out with the lyrics.. Rhythm guitar superb!
MsFitzzzz 2 months ago
@MsFitzzzz Mcguinn tells it that he being a very technical oriented guy wanted to call it 6 miles high but Gene being a more poetic type insisted on 8 miles as it sounded better...and also those 2 extra miles made it a drug song!
decemberschild1217 2 months ago
when you drop acid this what you hearrrrrrr
lcolby11 2 months ago
What's the drummers problem?
bill86697 2 months ago
@bill86697 It would appear as if her were under the influence of a controlled substance.
darrinbaker00 2 months ago
How many generations were encouraged to pickup a guitar and learn to play.After seeing this video Thank you Byrds!
bingobongo445 2 months ago
No comments, what is this world becoming?
reddnec 2 months ago
Not only did Gene Clark co-author this song - he had pretty much finished the whole thing and showed it to McGuinn and Crosby and they helped put the finishing touches on. Also - he is singing on the recording - you can hear him if you listen - he is the lead voice- doubled with McGuinn as always with Crosby on harmony.
catoohey 2 months ago
Love Chris Hillman's bass intro. Raise a glass, 2012 is Mr. Hillman's FIFTIETH year as a professional musician. He's only 23 here.
rocktenniscats 2 months ago
How about that 12 string Rick?! Nothing else sounds like it.
Jimed756 2 months ago
Thanks for posting this! When I hear this I'm cruising the beach (Grand Haven [Michigan] State Park) in my Mom's '66 LTD 4 door hardtop with the underdash 8 track player and DUAL rear speakers!! It was a great time to be young ... and now is a great time to be "older" remembering those happy, innocent times! Peace ....
keywestjj 2 months ago 2
✈Amazing stuff..not meant about drugs,rather their first flight to London,which reportedly was 10 miles high,8 sounded better,according to McCuin-✈
PAULLONDEN 2 months ago
Crosby in Hussar Gear ~ FAB!
SuperNevile 2 months ago
Wow, they are stunning! Gene's tie! Ha! And I have to admit, David Crosby looks way cool. They were so great, probably the most important of American bands up to the late sixties, and in my humble opinion this is their greatest work. The vocal harmonies, that Rickenbacker sound, thank you for posting.
melissacarterTS 3 months ago 2
Awesome clip - man, it takes me back and I can't stop thinking about all the great groups that were around then - Airplane, Cream, Hendrix, Doors, Mamas and papas, Chicago, Buffalo Springfield, Dylan, and on and on. It was a great, just a great time to be alive and socially aware.
chas128 3 months ago 20
@chas128 Yeah. Too bad nobody learned anything. Our generation fucked things up more than our parents, RIP. Nobody learned a thing.
TheCannonofMohammed 2 months ago
@chas128 Ya those were the good old days the Russians were building nukes faster than bunnies F and we had to keep up. Everyone in my town worked in areospace, and had hot hippie daughters who put out like the world was going to end soon. I was 17 just reaping the cream off the top the cold war ruled! Living in the USA!
bonkeydonkable 2 months ago
@chas128
Great statement! Loved the British Invasion!!
garywadley 1 month ago
@chas128 I concur
Aldebaron9 1 month ago
trippy dave is so groovy be yoursel my ct is at myyy fingwerrr mush baby
68beano 3 months ago
Superb clip: many thanks for uploading this!
bigted644 3 months ago
really bogus lip-synching...why bother, right? and Gene Clark coauthored this song....
sportsmediaamerica 3 months ago
@mikemper ~ I've been posting that same thought for a couple of years now. Gene Clark might have been the "father" of the Byrds but it was the driving sound of Roger McGuinn's 360-12 string Rickenbacker that created the trademark signature sound and set their music apart from any other 60's USA band. Could not agree more!
MrRonnieG 3 months ago
yes right around Montery Pop Period.
scottslaught 3 months ago
Wow, what a great clip from a band just about to change direction, image an lineup. Crosby looks fab in the fur hat.
milbury55 3 months ago
a lot of people took the guitar work for granted as if any guitar could get the sound ..but it was the RICKENBACKER 360 that made the BYRDS a great band
mlkemper 3 months ago
why are Byrds choons interrupted by bloody Honda ads?
DoctorBohr 3 months ago
This is the way they looked at the Monterey Pop Festival.
Anybody know if there is a true live performance of this song by this lineup?
victhebassman 3 months ago
I do not see roger mcguinn..........what a shame, he was their most talented member in my opinion with so much to bring to the table
pkappel006 3 months ago
@pkappel006 Roger is there in the tie with the moustache and goatee playing the Rickenbacker 360/12
evildeadfan123 3 months ago
@evildeadfan123 thanks I have him mixed up with Gene Clark........I miss Gene so much
pkappel006 3 months ago
Where is this clip from? What show? I have a whole lot of Byrds clips and never seen it before. Looks like summer of 67.
Tymelessflyte 3 months ago
@Tymelessflyte It's from American Bandstand.
SixtiesPopGold 3 months ago 4
@SixtiesPopGold This my old training partner and friend . From Ventura.CA. Chris Hillman..
cecilman1000 2 months ago
@cecilman1000 CHRIS is on bass.
cecilman1000 2 months ago
@SixtiesPopGold
Clip from the show...."The Clashing Of Egos"....;]...aka...The Byrds' last stand....
PAULLONDEN 1 month ago
@Tymelessflyte Ahhhh...summer of 67..my very first summer...
davehutchinson67 2 months ago
Wonderful...!
stetrak1967 3 months ago
far as lyrics the byrds were better then the beatles crazy if you think different
rj689 3 months ago
Masterpiece.
ikeplus1 3 months ago
Another gem ....
claptongroupie 3 months ago in playlist Watch Later Playlist
What a gem...thanks for sharing
claptongroupie 3 months ago in playlist Watch Later Playlist
Where does Crosby's hat end and his hair begin?
LeeB9999 3 months ago
@LeeB9999 HE'S WARING A HAT!?!?!?!?!
ilovedatasoong 3 months ago
@ilovedatasoong Duh? I was joking. It is spelled wearing not waring. Learn how to spell. You must be a graduate of the University of Okoboji.
LeeB9999 3 months ago
@LeeB9999 WOW! Someone's grumpy! Good thing I'm one of those people who ignore hurtful comments ^_^
ilovedatasoong 3 months ago
the drummer looks high as shit.
LeeB9999 3 months ago
I was 10 when this came out. That sound still moves me. I knew great music even then.........
frmlv 3 months ago
Typical sixties camera work ... cut to Crosby's guitar during McGuinn's monumental lead break ... Otherwise, cool clip.Not seen this one before.
kalandshel 3 months ago
it looks like one of the russian hats
PleaseGoAway1000 3 months ago
@PleaseGoAway1000 Hey have some respect here lol :-)
claptongroupie 3 months ago in playlist Watch Later Playlist
@claptongroupie Laughter is more important
PleaseGoAway1000 3 months ago
@PleaseGoAway1000 lol
claptongroupie 3 months ago
Somehow, a lot of bands had a song that flew far higher than the rest of their work, and such is this song for the Byrds. Don't get me wrong, they have a lot of good stuff, but year in and year out, I think of this song and want to hear it again.
thatCartoonistRev 3 months ago
You are SUPER WONDERFUL, my friend! Where in the world did you find this? You always deliver the great suprises!
tiranchula 3 months ago
Why does the camera focus on Crosby while McGuinn is playing his solos?
jarboe2 3 months ago
i love this one, cosby either thought he was a russian kosak or as said before part of the wicked witch guard
vagabondrecon 3 months ago
THIS SUMS IT UP
suicidalshredder 3 months ago
why is David Crosby wearing commie hat? it's no wonder this song was banned early in its release ha ha
carlafierro7 4 months ago
I sincerely hope that that is NOT David Crosby's REAL hair....
terrryc 4 months ago
WOW Ass Kicking. JUST SAYING ( ^.^ )
7theflyingdutchman 4 months ago
Ace. Love the way the camera studiously avoids McGuinn as he mimes the epochal cat's cradle solo. Top Of The Pops couldn't have done that better.
I'm betting the stash is in the hat.
northeffects 4 months ago
GOLD !
orangesarasmom 4 months ago
man, that drummer is ZONED
MexicanLeatherDaddy 4 months ago
@MexicanLeatherDaddy LOL yes he is!
NephthysMesheop 4 months ago
It's the record. Still good though...
jgrnfld 4 months ago
Byrds were always strange... but this song was a real headthinker back then; it raised real questions and doubts about society, the war, and normalcy.
foneBro 4 months ago
first performed at Whitefish Bay High School, Wisconsin... It was banned from the airwaves almost immediately... the airplane story was an attempt to get radio time...or so I heard...
JohnCharlesHeiser 4 months ago
first performed at Whitefish Bay High School, Wisconsin...
JohnCharlesHeiser 4 months ago
Leo Kottke had a great version of this; one that implied a sense of urgency this Byrds version didn't have.
CocteauDalighari 4 months ago
What a difference a year or two made back in the sixties, compared to how they looked when they sung Mr Tambourine Man in 1965. I seem to remember this song being banned in some places as Eight Miles High was interpreted as a drug song, but I believe it might of been something to do with their flight over to England.
MrNaughtyflirt 4 months ago
And this TV director who does not have in mind who's actually playing the guitar solo...
mrmarinus49 5 months ago
It is cool to see this old video > Byrds amazing as usual. . But is it just or did the bass player have the first AFRO
hairstyle??
Time Date? Jim
TheBorjamz 5 months ago
Chris Hillman is still smokin' hot! Still touring, too!.
MsDogben 5 months ago
Chris Hillman = sexiest Byrd ever. That hair is a work of art. Oh, to run my fingers thru that luscious mop....
harrietcow 5 months ago
puppets compared with the later version of the byrds........although this lineup did make great albums.
posthumanhero 5 months ago
When I saw them it was '71 on tour in Wallingford, CT, at the Round Stage -they were 'SUPER' but I can't tell you who was in the group then. Obviously NOT D. Crosby. I wouldn't say they were passe then but I believe they were sharing stage that night with John Sebastian. So they may have been oddly linked like the caboose scene to 'odd-pop'. Correct me if I'm wrong, PLEASE!!!
pjs69828 5 months ago
Arguably THE first "Psychedelic" song - released March '66.
Also worth noting that Gene Clark (not in video) was co-writer and probably wrote many/most of the lyrics
StanKindly 5 months ago
@StanKindly Clark is actually heard singing as well - he helped record the first three songs for this album before he left the band.
Clark began writing the song's lyrics in November of 1965, following a discussion with guitarist Brian Jones. Clark expanded this fragment into a full poem, eventually setting the words to music and giving them a melody. He later showed the song to Crosby and McGuinn, who suggesting they arrange it to incorporate the influence of John Coltrane.
catoohey 5 months ago
@catoohey Thanks, I knew about the Coltrane influence having seen interviews with McGuinn. I didn't know about Brian Jones but imagine "Rain Grey Town..." is London. Anyway, here's to Gene :)
Check out my video of No Other.
StanKindly 5 months ago
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StanKindly 5 months ago
This is the rarest of the rare of the Byrds in 1966...A Dream come true...Dan O'Niallain, Grafton, Mass...
oldiesbutgoodies67 6 months ago 6
@oldiesbutgoodies67 This clip is from 1967, though.
SixtiesPopGold 6 months ago 3
The Drummer looks like Luke Skywalker
harrydoxisthechubaca 6 months ago
I remember those days, their music had me hallucinating big time and when I showed up to class, I just was not there to concentrate, all the rifts and such had me in a bothered state of mind.
Zippertheslipper 6 months ago
OH YEAH, EXCELLENTE'. PRETTY SURE MY OLDER SISTER SEEN THEM AND THE WHO AT GARFIELD PARK IN INDIANAPOIS...AROUND '68 OR'69.
1957skeeter 6 months ago
1967 you shoulda been there
flyinv1967 6 months ago
Roger McGuinn was still Jim McGuinn when this song was recorded, He had his tinted "granny glasses" long before John Lennon.
David Cosby bought me a pizza in Chicago in 1966, He left if at a party I was having in Old Town. He left with his girlfirend, a young Asian woman before the party got rolling. When the pigs came, everyone ran out into the snow with no shoes on. Beer and pot and Beatles and Byrds. Great times.
MOO
MOOaCOW 6 months ago
Great song love the vocals.
jlennon48 6 months ago
Hillman's attempt at a wild afro is interesting only because he pulls it off.
skeena59 6 months ago 7
@skeena59 Hillman did in fact have curly hair, but they made him look like Brian Jones in the beginning, which he hated.
SixtiesPopGold 6 months ago 5
@SixtiesPopGold I think alot of people back in 67 just assumed Chris had had his hair curled. I know I did.
tfmuch 4 months ago
theres something strange about the bass his neck is short like he hardly has one his body is much much bigger than his hair.
nicholasomesfilms 6 months ago
It's better to burn out than fade away...
scottslaught 6 months ago
They're lip-syncing!
vootie99 6 months ago
It appears that at this time Crosby was still holding his parttime job as a Guard at the Wicked Witch of the West's Castle
MacFeeley 6 months ago 19
@MacFeeley I always thought it was revolutionary - John Phillips wore the same Ushanka type hat and imagine this was their way of saying "east meets west" "we are the same" etc... as it was the height of the Cold War.
Anyway, more than just a fashion statement, albeit not politically correct as far as the fur :)
StanKindly 5 months ago
@StanKindly
I agree, and Crosby called it his "cossack look".
MacFeeley 5 months ago