Gene Clark

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Drawing by Gene Clark
Drawing by Gene Clark
Chart positions
Explanation of the data
Albums
No other
  US 144 11/02/1974 (5 weeks)

Gene Clark (born November 17, 1944 as Harold Eugene Clark in Tipton , Missouri , † May 24, 1991 in Sherman Oaks , California ) was an American country rock musician and songwriter . He became known as a founding member of the band The Byrds .

Beginnings

Gene Clark, who comes from a large family, began writing songs at a young age. He played first in a school band and later with the Surf Riders, who performed in folk clubs in the vicinity. The New Christy Minstrels became aware of the talented musician during one of these performances and accepted him into their band. The time he stayed with the folk group was marked by numerous tours and recording sessions. They once appeared before President Lyndon B. Johnson at the White House .

Clark found less and less pleasure in the hectic life. As the lowest-ranking member of the group, he had hardly any development opportunities. So he got out in early 1964 and moved to California. Here he met Roger McGuinn , with whom he shared a passion for folk music and the Beatles . A little later David Crosby joined them .

Member of the Byrds

The Byrds emerged in late 1964 from the forerunners Jet Set and Beefeaters . In addition to McGuinn, Crosby and Clark, bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke were there. Her first single, the Dylan song Mr. Tambourine Man , became a worldwide hit. From that moment on, the Byrds were considered the American answer to the British Beatles.

Clark was arguably the most talented songwriter in the band (whose greatest hits, however, were composed by Bob Dylan). His best-known title was Eight Miles High , which just barely made it into the top 20 due to a radio boycott. After just fifteen months, Clark got out of the Byrds in March 1966. The constant disputes within the band and the touring stress heightened by his fear of flying were the trigger for this decision. He preferred quiet studio work and appearances in small cafes and clubs over nerve-wracking concerts in large halls.

Solo career

Gene Clark stayed with the Byrds' manager, Jim Dickson . Since he also had the Gosdin Brothers under contract, the joint album Gene Clark and the Gosdin Brothers was recorded in 1967 , which was not very successful despite the high musical quality. Clark then teamed up with Doug Dillard , the front man of the Californian bluegrass group The Dillards , to form Dillard and Clark . Two albums with a strong country flair were produced, but they were again not commercially successful. In 1969 they split up in a dispute.

His first independent solo album was released in 1971. White Light contained - except for the song Tears of Rage written by Bob Dylan - exclusively his own compositions. However, no single was a hit this time either. Part of that was because of his record label's half-hearted promotion. However, Clark himself was partly to blame, as he showed no particular interest in appearances or tours.

In 1973 the Byrds were briefly revived in their original line-up. Under time pressure and without real commitment, an album was produced that could not compete with the earlier releases. Clark then went his own way again. In 1974 he produced his masterpiece with No Other . Again all the songs were from himself and again the musically ambitious album was not a commercial success.

In 1977 Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman completed several joint studio sessions. Clark also showed interest in collaborating. Together with McGuinn, he performed a few times at the Troubador Club, where it all began thirteen years earlier. Finally, two albums were recorded at the end of the decade.

The 1980s ushered in the gradual decline of Clark. His Byrds bonus had been used up and the big record companies were no longer interested in him. In 1984 he played the album Firebyrd on an independent label . As a session musician, he occasionally took part in the recordings of befriended musicians. His last album, So Rebellious a Lover , co-produced with Carla Olson , was released in 1987.

Like most ex-Byrds, Gene Clark had massive alcohol and drug problems. His health deteriorated noticeably. He died on May 24, 1991.

Gene Clark was buried in the St. Andrew Catholic Cemetery in Tipton.

Private life

Clark married the dancer Carlie McCummings in 1970. The marriage resulted in two sons. In June 1976, Carlie and Gene Clark were divorced.

Discography

Albums

  • 1967: Gene Clark with the Gosdin Brothers (with The Gosdin Brothers )
  • 1971: White Light
  • 1972: Collector's Series: Early LA Sessions
  • 1973: Roadmaster
  • 1974: No Other
  • 1977: Two Sides to Every Story
  • 1984: Firebyrd
  • 1987: So Rebellious a Lover (with Carla Olson)
  • 1992: Silhouetted in Light (with Carla Olson)
  • 1995: This Byrd Has Flown
  • 2001: Gypsy Angel - The Gene Clark Demos (1983–1990)
  • 2007: In Concert (with Carla Olson) (2 CDs)
  • 2008: Silverado '75 - Live & Unreleased
  • 2013: Here Tonight: The White Light Demos
  • 2014: Live Radio Broadcast and Demos
  • 2016: Lost Studio Sessions 1964–1982

Compilations

  • 1991: Echoes
  • 1993: American Dreamer 1964-1974
  • 1998: Flying High (2 CDs)
  • 2003: Under the Silvery Moon

Singles

  • 1966: Echoes
  • 1967: So You Say You Lost Your Baby
  • 1968: Train Leaves Here This Mornin '
  • 1969: Don't Be Cruel
  • 1969: Why Not Your Baby
  • 1970: Don't Let Me Down
  • 1974: Life's Greatest Fool
  • 1977: American Dreamer
  • 1977: Home Run King
  • 1988: Gypsy Rider
  • 1992: Sing 3 Songs by the Byrds (with Carla Olson)
  • 2008: Only Colombe
  • 2012: One in a Hundred

Remarks

  1. ^ Whitburn, Joel: Top Pop Albums. 1955-1996 . 6th revised and expanded edition. Menomenee Falls, Wisconsin: Record Research Inc 2006, p. 156, ISBN 0-89820-166-7 .

literature

  • John Einarson: Mr. Tambourine Man: The Life and Legacy of the Byrds' Gene Clark. Backbeat Books, ISBN 0-87930-793-5 .
  • Erlewine, Michael u. a. (Ed.): All Music Guide to Country Music. The experts guide to the best recordings in country music . San Francisco, Cal .: Miller Freeman Books, 1997, pp. 87f.

Web links

personal data
SURNAME Clark, Gene
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Clark, Harold Eugene (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country musician
DATE OF BIRTH November 17, 1944
PLACE OF BIRTH Tipton , Missouri , USA
DATE OF DEATH May 24, 1991
Place of death Sherman Oaks , California , USA