McGuinn, Clark & Hillman - Mr. Tambourine Man

[ejectorerector]

i wish mcguinn was still performing here like he did in 1965 with the bulging eyes, blank expressions, grimaces and creepy smiles.

[NyavYxor]

this sounds horrible. hillman biffs the very first note and the harmonies start off terribly. the verses are all messed up....shame

[NyavYxor]

this sounds horrible. hillman biffs the very first note and the harmonies start off terribly. shame

[savannah388]

@NyavYxor

It's nice to see someone like yourself who is such an expert on rock music. So what he flubs 1 note-Gene's singing is magical!!!

[whocares1694]

Hi time for another Byrds reunion!

[bren1231001]

Chris's shyness was one of the things I always thought was very appealing about him.I've enjoyed everything he's done.

[bucks1955mjm]

Simply beautiful version! Miss those days....

[UnclePutin]

It seems like the song gets better as it goes along. At the start they sound a tad off but by the end it's on par with the album version.

[islandr]

What ever happened to Gene Clark? I never realized what an integral part he played in Byrds harmony.Certainly way more than David Crosby!!!

[bren1231001]

@islandr Gene Clark passed away May 24,1991.The coroner ruled it as heart failure.

[TheBabyboomkidof53]

@islandr actually david crosby was the one who's voice sored far above the others in byrd's music and gave it that beautiful warmmth and elevation of spirit. chris hillman, also can get high and is doing it here but you can hear the effort in it. with crosby it's effortless.

[the13er]

@islandr

Gene was quite a madman whole his life, drinking a lot but released heavily talented but unsuccesful solo albums. He died 1991 (heart attack), just some months after Byrds was taken in to Hall of Fame.

[johnnyscouser]

Watching this makes you wonder why Hillman never got the chance to sing any songs on the first 2 albums

[desertswo]

@johnnyscouser Saw him interviewed not long ago. Basically two things in play; one was that his tenor is in the exact same range as Crosby's only Crosby is so much better at it, you don't screw with success. Second, he was far younger than anyone else and basically scared to death. He'd stand back by the drum riser and even turn his back to the audience. After Crosby left he stepped up and sang that part in the harmony. Again, not Crosby, but that was the role and he gave it a good ride.

[bobbilse]

@desertswo - The Byrds' were, listed by age, David Crosby-8/14/41, Jim/Roger McGuinn-7/13/42, Gene Clark-11/17/44, Chris Hillman-12/4/44, and Mike Clarke-6/3/46.

Chris was NOT far younger than the rest of the band (only separated from Gene Clark by 17 days); he wasn't even the youngest member...nor was he scared to death. He was a bluegrass mandolin player who got hired because Crosby couldn't handle bass and singing at the same time; not scared, just careful. He was the "new kid".

[desertswo]

@bobbilse You know, I don't make this shit up. I was merely repeating what CHRIS HIMSELF SAID in an interview. If the man said he was younger than everyone else & scared to death, I take him at his word. With the exception of Mike Clarke, compared to everyone else, most especially Roger who had been a professional musician for many years, Chris's experience in the music industry was relatively limited. Perhaps that is the genesis of his comment regarding his youth compared to the others.

[Nukeman33]

The fact that its it has all the verses of the Bob Dylan lyrics makes it 100x better than the original Byrds version.

[savannah388]

For you young fols-that is the great drummer,singer George Grantham on drums.

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Whoops, Chris! Akakakakakakak....

[DavelovesRealMusic]

WOW--this is rare--never saw this before--do you have the whole concert? please post

[bren1231001]

I love the way Chris giggles and Gene laughs,It is so cute.

[RP50]

Love it where Hillman blows the intro and McGuinn ignores it while Chris and Gene laugh it off.

[valorite]

the best live show by them

[captainsoul1953]

If only the drug addled fat fucker could have joined them?....Gene was on the edge...anybody could have filled for Mike Clarke...we could have had a Byrds reunion...its a fantasy world...but ...never mind

Jim

[bmiddaug]

Too bad they didn't record all 4 verses, with (1) Roger singing all 4 of them, and (2) all 4 original members each taking a turn singing a verse. They had a chance when they were in San Francisco with David Crosby (listen to the Doin' Allright for Old People CD) but they only did 3 verses.

[RossM3838]

Gene transforms the song. In his hands the song becomes soulful and pleading. He brought that same feeling to the New Christie Minstrals and to the Byrds. You are right Crosby is a great singer but Gene is in another house altogether.

[aa4018881]

Anybody notice that was George Grantham on drums_the great Poco drummer and singer

[RedAce8003]

Actually, producer Terry Melcher had McGuinn, Clark, and Crosby all try different verses. On the refrains, McGuinn and Clark sang in unison with Crosby singing the high harmony. Melcher decided on McGuinn singing the second verse because (1) the verse mentioning "boot-heels wandering" sounded "Kerouac", and (2) McGuinn's voice reminded him of Dylan. McGuinn always acknowledged Gene as the better singer.

[Acerian]

Gene should of done lead vocals when they recorded it all those years ago.

[aa4018881]

Mcguinn, Crosby, Hillman could all sing but Gene was in a completely different house than them. I agree with you-listen to Polly come home by Dillard and Clark-it will make your hair stand up

[FromHolbergsTime]

One of the anthems of our time, with that distinctive guitar sound which always characterized the Byrds. This is a strong performance reminiscent of the majesty and power this group brought to the airwaves beginning in 1965. Definitely classic material and inspirational to the highest degree.

[aa4018881]

I have to say when Gene solo's, I get goose bumps. Look who's part they harmonize on-gene--just a magical voice.

[KerryGrl]

What a great and distinctive voice Gene Clark had! Wow.

[mrtamberineman123]

Is that mike clarke on the drums?

[aa4018881]

That is George Grantham from Poco

[aa4018881]

Listen to him on Polly Come Home

[captainsoul1953]

This is the best we will ever see of a Byyds reuuion i saw them in London and they did 8 miles high...enough for me

Jim

[Pinzhead]

Call me a Gene Pool tragic but I think he stole the show here. He repeated his rendition on his "Fierbyrd" album and I consider it to be the definitive version

[johncapildeo]

Why did The Byrds break up? Did Gene Clark have a productive career post?

[RossM3838]

Clark had problems and was trying to build up a solo career. Crosby had success with CSN and Hillman and Parsons were having success with the Flying Burrito Brothers. Mike Clark later joined them. But they never really broke up.

[johncapildeo]

thx ross, much appreciated...i meant 'mike' clark

[RossM3838]

Mike died from alcoholism in 1992. After the Byrds he joined the Flying Burrito Brothers and then played extensively with Gene Clark both on tour (when sober) and on recordings. I don't know why Mike was not on this tour in 1978.

[Snottydick]

Michael Clarke was in Firefall at the time. This might have been a Byrds reunion if Crosby wasn't consumed by a serious drug problem at the time.

[denniswilsonfan]

don't think so there was quite abit between them in angst if thats the right word, even if crosby was clean it wouldn't have happened

[abata15]

Thank you for putting this up there. I was so glad to have been able to see them in NYC in '79. I have a cassette tape recorded off the radio during that tour - have to copy it to my iTunes library.

[reborn5310]

A superb performance - it was especially nice to see Chris and Gene each taking a verse, as both did so quite well. I am so glad this one was posted - it's a classic!

[stanleykenvin]

Many of you guys probably didn't know that George Grantham(Poco drummer) was on this cut

was vacationing @ the time here and saw the show-gene had an incredible voice-never truly was appreciated

[reborn5310]

I thought I recognized George on drums. I have to agree that Gene Clark was terribly underrated and under-appreciated, even by his fellow Byrds. He looked and sounded great on this song.

[stanleykenvin]

What a voice-notice who's verse they harmonize on? Gene's.

[reborn5310]

Exactly right. I do not recall that any of the Byrds line-ups (including the originals) ever did the song so well.

[RossM3838]

I also like the way Gene sings his verse. Lots of feeling and invention.

[bmiddaug]

Too bad David Crosby wasn't there to do the 4th verse of this song; that would have been the ultimate! He did show up at the San Francisco show in 1978 (on the Doin' Allright for Old People bootleg CD) but they only did 3 verses like here and he didn't sing any lead.

[sdingeswho]

Very nice --- I was surprised but pleased to hear how good Chris Hillman's voice is, by itself! :-) Knew Clark and McGuinn could sing "rather well", of course *chuckle!*, but hadn't seen a clip like this where Hillman took a solo turn. Thanks for posting!

[maddogoz08]

harold eugene clark  no other 1944-1991

the original tambourine man

[Doors121]

What year was this

[Doors121]

Whos drumming for this performance cos they are crap

[aa401888]

George Grantham from Poco-you schmuck!!!!!!!!!!!

[wildbilco55]

The Best version of Tambourine Man ever! How about those Eagleesque harmonies while Gene sings his verse? AMAZING. And Roger's jingle jangle of the Ric 370 12 string is phenominal.

[timjregan]

I enjoy this video more every time I see it. The longer version has so much more meaning to it. One of the great songs of all time done by one of the best bands.

[aa401888]

When you listen to all 3 great musicians take a verse each-boy does Gene Clark just blow you away-whay a beautiful voice

[ROCKSTARCRANE]

Nice bass clam, Chris....akakakakakak!!!!

[aa401888]

That's what u got out of this masterpiece-with George Grantham on drums-u are an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[solzinha82]

OMG

I Died

so beautifull this song and Roger and Gene Looks so sexy *--*

[cassiusclay10]

Espetacular the performace of McGuinn, Hillman and especially the unforgettable Gene Clark.

A video of the historic meeting of the three after the dissolution of the "The Byrds".

[aa401888]

Gene Clark singing gives me goose bumps-what a gem!  Great cut of this super song

[aa401888]

What a gorgeous voice Gene Clark had

[cassiusclay10]

Watch the movie "Feel A Whole Lot Better by The Byrds". The performace of Clark is perfect.

[aa401888]

Where can I get it?

[pkappel006]

where can you purchase it??? or is it available to the public???

[byrdsss]

Chris also flubbed his bass note (00:06) right before he came in w/his vocal. I think he was embarrassed from the mistake, which caused him not to concentrate on his vocal.

[fpetrozz]

Its so funny that Hillman started singing the same harmony as Roger and Gene, then he realized that Crosby was not around anymore to sing the upper harmony so he starts after they all started sining the same harmony.

Funny

[gladyrenee]

Mesmerizing video. Thank you guys.

[williamp303]

Nice video, good to see Chris & Gene get a liitle lead time. Too bad Gene wasn't the lead for the Byrds all along!

[shlomoney]

Roger Kicks ass why would Chris or Gene sing lead.

[williamp303]

Jim McGuinn,

Great guitar , solid harmony, lead for the Byrds, I think not with Clark and Crosby in the band.

Thanks

[aa401888]

Because as good as Mcguinn is, he never will have the voice Gene Clark did.

[Ingram011]

Oh Gene, what a powerful voice. The best !!!

[Acerian]

I sometimes wonder what Mr. Tambourine Man would of sounded like if Clark or Crosby had sung lead.

[marcotukoff]

gene clark's a forgotten genious, but it's better than to be recognized in a mediocre world!

[nightjasmine25]

Oh I like this. This is how The Byrds should have done it. Just a few months later, after "Like A Rolling Stone" and it's longer length, they maybe could have pulled it off without some record company idiot cutting it up for radio play!

[RossM3838]

I too love the way Gene sings his verse. He has listened to the lyrics and tune carefully and sings it with real soul. All are great, as always, but Gene reaches the soul.

[aa401888]

Such a beautiful voice-you can see how he just looks like such a tortured guy with inner demons-look in his eyes-really sad

[aujuma]

Or is it the 4th? (Gene's verse!)

[aujuma]

I keep coming back to this. Love that 3rd verse!

[aujuma]

Wow! Love this version!

[alexgdeferrari]

If the harmonies sound that good, it's not only because McGuinn, Hillman & Clark, but also because of Poco's drummer George Grantham. He's one of the best high harmony singers in the country-rock scene. And the best drummer on that genre. Check out Poco's DELIVERIN' live album and try to argue with me...

[aa401888]

i would never argue-Poco was my favorite-u have to admit this was a gem of a cut of Tambourine

[RossM3838]

David Crosby on high harmony would make it absolutely perfect.

[daidi0121]

michaels beat would make perfect 2!

[timjregan]

Gene Clark and Chris Hillman did a great job on this version

[kaleyjoi]

its cool to hear chris and gene sing solo, nice voices.

[RossM3838]

Very good. I hope someone reposts "Backstage Pass" by this great trio. Another great song composed by Gene Clark.

[acardozo]

amazing! even though hillman is out of tune in the beginning.. then he gets back and clark smiles.. haha.. funny!

[boyd3020]

I like the way Gene sings his part.

[lynchzilla]

If you look at those 1965 Byrds videos, Chris Hillman was apparently not allowed to sing. That's too bad because this video illustrates how skilled a singer he really is.

[Straycat68]

That's the great George Grantham of Poco on drums. Great harmonies!

[willyone1]

This is incredible! Thank you for posting. RIP Gene and Michael

[daidi0121]

make it 20000000% perfect it needs michael clarke.

[wildbilco55]

Michael Clarke couldn't carry a tune or keep time on the drums...he was the weakest link on the Byrds.

[daidi0121]

3 favourite drummers

1: roger taylor of queen

2: michael clarke of the byrds

3: keith moon of the who

In other words I want to strangle the shit out of you!

[cudaj2]

How about John Bonham? JOHN HENRY BONHAM!!

[daidi0121]

yes he rocks the house too, I also am a fan of JImmy Chimberlane of the smashing pumpkins