By Laura Bailey

In the early 1960s, David Crosby was working as a folk singer on the coffee-house circuit when he met fellow musicians Jim (Roger) McGuinn and Gene Clark. The trio of guitarists added Michael Clarke on drums and Chris Hillman on bass to form The Byrds. 

Regarded as one of the most influential acts of folk-rock, The Byrds released their first single Mr. Tambourine Man in April 1965. The song was a smash hit, rocketing to No. 1 on both the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and the U.K. Singles Chart. Their debut album of the same name is one of five Byrds albums to be named on Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

Crosby recorded five albums with the Byrds before departing the band in October of 1967.  The guitarist reunited with the original Byrds lineup in October 1972 to record their reunion album Byrds.

In 1968, Crosby connected with two veteran musicians from other influential bands: Stephen Stills of Buffalo Springfield and Graham Nash of The Hollies. The trio recorded their self-titled debut album the following year, which was met with immediate success.

Crosby, Stills, and Nash (CSN) had only performed for a live audience once before playing to 500,000 people at Woodstock on Aug. 18, 1969. The band took the stage at 3:30 a.m. alongside Stills’ former bandmate Neil Young, to perform anthems of the ‘60s counterculture, including “Guinnevere,” “Marrakesh Express” and “Mr. Soul.”

Crosby’s iconic musical career as a singer, songwriter and guitarist spanned seven decades. His influential work earned Crosby two Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame inductions: the first with The Byrds in 1991 and the second in 1997 with CSN. Following his death on Jan. 18, 2023, musicians around the world paid tribute to the cultural icon. 

Where to see live music in Bristol this week?

Mum City residents of all ages will have the opportunity to catch some live music this coming weekend. 

• The Electric Shoes will perform at Bleachers Bar on Friday, Jan. 27, at 8:30 p.m. 
• Rock n’ roll trio O’K and the Night Crew will perform at Bleachers Bar on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 8:30 p.m. 
• Eran Troy Danner will perform at Firefly Hollow Brewing Sunday, Jan. 29 at 2 p.m.

Keep the records spinning ‘til we meet again, Bristol. 

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