The Byrds All I Have Is Memories

Track 19, a bonus track from the 1997 reissue of their sixth album “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” released in 1968 copyright Columbia Records. Although Chris Hillman had previously introduced songs with a country influence on their “Younger than Yesterday” album, this was their first album with a country theme and is recognized as the first “country rock” album by an established rock band. After David Crosby was fired and Michael Clarke left the band during the recording sessions for their last album, they were down to two original members. Chris Hillman’s cousin Kevin Kelley became their drummer and twenty-one year-old country rock pioneer Gram Parsons from Georgia was brought in as a piano player. Parsons quickly switched to guitar as his primary instrument and persuaded Roger McGuinn to make an album solely in the country rock genre. The album was recorded at Columbia studios in Nashville & Los Angeles. The band was shunned by the Nashville country music establishment, who thought they would corrupt their traditional style of music. Before recording began, they made an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry and were booed and heckled. Gram Parsons had pushed for more control in his new band and sang lead vocals on six of the eleven songs recorded. When they returned to L.A. Roger McGuinn remixed three of those songs, replacing Parsons’ lead vocals with his own. This infuriated Parsons and he later left the band under the pretense that he refused to participate in a tour of South Africa because of Apartheid, preferring to stay and party with Keith Richards in London. He and Richards developed a strong friendship and he lived with Richards for a time after leaving The Byrds. He would later go on to form the “Flying Burrito Brothers” with Chris Hillman and also have a brief solo career. In 1973 he died from a drug overdose while vacationing at Joshua Tree National Monument at the age of twenty-six. Kevin Kelley was dismissed from the band soon after Parsons left. The album received excellent reviews. Written by Kevin Kelley and produced by Gary Usher. RIP Gram Parsons, Clarence White, Gary Usher, Kevin Kelley & John Hartford. Featuring: Roger McGuinn – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, banjo & background vocals Gram Parsons – Lead vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, organ & background vocals Chris Hillman – Lead vocals, bass, mandolin, acoustic guitar & background vocals Kevin Kelley – Drums Special Guests: Lloyd Green – Pedal steel JayDee Maness – Pedal steel Clarence White – Lead & rhythm guitars John Hartford – Banjo, fiddle & acoustic guitar Roy Husky – Double Bass Earl P. Ball – Piano Barry Goldberg - Piano