Echoes from the Canyons: A Retrospective Music Podcast

After Michael Clarke leaves the band, Chris Hillman brings in his cousin, Kevin Kelley, to replace Michael on drums. During rehearsals in LA, the band also hires Gram Parsons to play keys, who quickly takes on a bigger role and steers the band towards becoming Country Byrds. After the Sweetheart sessions, the band travels to Europe where Gram forms a friendship with Keith Richards from the Rolling Stones.

Michael Clarke has been having issues with his bandmates and their music, but having his drum parts replaced on several songs for the Notorious Byrd Brothers album causes a major rift. Crosby’s constant criticism of Michael’s playing ceases after David is fired, and Gene Clark’s brief return brings him back for a short time, but in the end Michael isn’t happy and quits the band.

Crosby is out, but the new record is not quite finished, and the hunt is on for a new singer. Gene Clark makes his return, but during rehearsals is becomes clear that his eighteen months away from the band has affected his confidence and the question remains, can this old Byrd fly?

In his final days with the Byrds, Crosby works hard to piss off the band enough to get fired and irritate CBS enough to let him out of his contract. He is already jamming with his future bandmates Steven Stills and Graham Nash and everything comes to a literal head in the green room of Fillmore West in San Francisco when Crosby punches Jimmi to show off for Jefferson Airplane.

Crosby has always been a little high maintenance, but in the last years with the Byrds, his behavior became increasingly problematic for the rest of band. His aloofness is starting to cause issues, and it is becoming more obvious that he is not fully committed to the band.

The first installment of a new show about the music industry circa 1966-1983. An introduction into the genesis of the show and an overview of Season 1 content with introductions on hosts Ash and Jimmi Seiter.