In this episode, Part 3 of Seasonal Migrations, Jimmi shares his memories of Kevin Kelley’s drumming and discusses the first few months of the new Byrds lineup, including Gram Parsons. The new foursome plays for Robert Kennedy’s Los Angeles rally shortly before he is assassinated.  With the addition of Doug Dillard, who had played on the Sweetheart of the Rodeo sessions, the new Country Byrds head off to England and play a basement show with The Who, Queen, and The Rolling Stones in attendance.  The Stones invite The Byrds on a night trip to visit Stonehenge, where Keith Richards and Gram become fast friends over lines and drinks in the limousine.

Some highlights from the show:

• 00:02:06         Kevin Kelley and his metronome 
• 00:09:57         Gram Parsons doctor’s visit
• 00:13:04          Kevin and Gram in rehearsal
• 00:19:18           Euro tour preparations with Doug Dillard
• 00:24:55         The Country Byrds & Sweetheart of the Rodeo
• 00:28:19          Playing for Bobby Kennedy
• 00:33:04         The London Gig
• 00:36:48         The Ferry and Doug Dillard’s drinking 
• 00:41:32          Stonehenge with the Rolling Stones
• 00:52:40         Show at the Grand Ole Opry & Ralph Emery

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In this episode, Part 2 of Seasonal Migrations, Jimmi shares his memories of Michael Clarke, his talent and personality, and discusses the last several months leading up to his departure from the Byrds. Michael has been having issues with his bandmates and the music they have been writing for some time but when his drum parts are replaced on several songs for the Notorious Byrd Brothers album, he is furious. Michael and Crosby’s relationship becomes more strained, but David is fired soon after and Michael’s close friend and former Byrd, Gene Clark, returns for rehearsals and television appearances. All seems well until Gene’s sudden departure, when Michael decides to quit the trio and moves to Hawaii to pursue painting. 

Some highlights from the show:

• 00:01:46   Michael Clarke, drumming on phonebooks 
• 00:05:26   Mr. Tambourine Man & Terry Melcher
• 00:07:54   Crosby vs. Clarke
• 00:13:03   Michael doesn’t like 12-string solos
• 00:15:54   The dolphin smiles at Jim Gordon
• 00:20:03   McGuinn’s “outer space” songs
• 00:24:39   The leadup to Crosby’s firing
• 00:28:24   Michael quits the band. 
• 00:29:46   Post-Byrds Michael

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On Part 1 of Seasonal Migrations, our continuing saga of the ever-changing Byrds roster, Gene Clark makes his return after an eighteen month hiatus from the band.  The Notorious Byrd Brothers is nearing completion in an antiquated CBS Studio B and Larry Spector’s presence is starting to show as he recommends bringing in his client Gram Parsons for rehearsal.  McGuinn isn’t sold on Gram joining the Byrds, so Spector instead brings in Gene Clark, another client and original Byrd member.  Gene is not confident in rehearsals, and Jimmi asks the band to help him find his confidence before they head to Minneapolis for their first show of a short east coast tour.  Despite reservations about whether Gene is ready for tour, Spector books a train for him to get to the first show, but Gene gets stuck in an elevator before heading to the station and his claustrophobia and travel anxiety are triggered.  Several days later, Gene’s train arrives in Minneapolis and he meets up with the band for lack-luster performances that is essentially a photoshoot for Acoustic Amps.That evening, Gene decides he can’t fly to New York for the Fillmore East shows and returns to LA via train the next day, quitting the band for the second time.  The band finishes the tour, but Michael Clarke isn’t happy and won’t be around for very much longer.   

Some highlights from the show:

• 00:02:18    Who are The Notorious Byrds Brothers?
• 00:08:04    Larry Spector has an agenda
• 00:15:20    Gene shows up for rehearsal
• 00:22:32    Bill Graham, Kip Cohen and Fillmore East
• 00:25:05    Acoustic Amplification and Roger McGuinn
• 00:31:13    Gene’s trip to nowhere
• 00:33:28    Gene gets stuck in an elevator
• 00:40:04    CBS and their antiquated studios
• 00:45:29    Minneapolis performances
• 00:51:49    Gene can’t fly with the Byrds after all 

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Echoes from the Canyons is a TERMINAL BIRDS PRODUCTION