Hi Gene Clark fans, it's time for another issue of Echoes! |
|
|
This month's photo of Gene is courtesy of Don Masarik. The photo was taken at a McGuinn, Clark and Hillman concert in 1979 in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio. Thank you Don for sharing this with Echoes' readers! You can see more of Don's photos in the Special Collections page on Gene-Clark.com. |
|
|
The winner of the Byrds inspired Mr. Tambourine Man t-shirt is: HOWARD SKIP WAY Congratulations Howard! Please send an email to GeneClarkWebsite@gmail.com to claim your prize. And remember, for those of you who didn't win, you can purchase one directly from Colour is Sound! Check out their other designs and be sure to subscribe to their blog The Underground Playground to receive a 10% discount off your order. |
|
|
"Sister Moon, She Darked the Sun..." On Monday, August 21, the Solar Eclipse made its way across North America and Gene's birthplace and final resting place in Tipton, MO. Gene Clark fans Wayne Kasper and Lesley Allen both made a visit to Gene's gravesite on eclipse day. Here's what they told Echoes: "Took out my phone and played "She Darked the Sun" and Lesley played "Sister Moon" on her phone. Both (songs) coincided with the exit of the moon from in front of the sun. It was a very "Gene" day and the temperature and weather was ideal. Hope Gene Clark is remembered for as long as it takes for the next eclipse to pass in 2500 and thereafter." — We hope so too Wayne & Lesley! Thanks for photos! |
|
|
We're actively updating the Gene Clark Website with new items whenever possible. Check out an interview with Sierra Records president John Delgatto where he discusses Gene Clark: The Lost Studio Sessions 1964-1982, his involvement with the Beatles Anthology, Gram Parsons and more. Also in the news is an article about author Johnny Rogan. These news articles and others can be found here. |
|
|
While you're visiting the site, see the Reviews page for articles and links to reviews on Gene Clark books, videos and albums. And be sure to also visit the Archives page for scans of articles, interviews and other interesting items such as the internal memo pictured here from executive Frank Calamita of CBS Records regarding Gene's exit from The Byrds. There's also an article from the August 1967 issue of Teen Scene magazine called "What's Happening With Gene Clark...and The Byrds?". Hope you enjoy them! |
|
|
CBS Records Internal Memo Re: The Byrds (Gene’s departure) courtesy Ken Claybaugh |
|
|
Out On The Side... Other Gene Clark related news: - Earlier this year, the NBC TV show This is Us used Gene Clark's song "Because of You" for one of the scenes in Season 1, Episode 11, "The Right Thing To Do". Gene's song and other music from the series are included in the This is Us soundtrack album due for release September 15. Read more about the album here.
- Chris Hillman's album Bidin' My Time is due for release on September 22. He is touring with Herb Pedersen and John Jorgenson. To pre-order the album and for tour dates visit his website here.
|
|
|
- Ex-Byrd, David Crosby has a new album coming out September 29th called Sky Trails. He will also be touring in November & December. For dates and information go here.
- Carla Olson fans will be happy to know that 30 years after 1987's Cedar Creek, The Textones are recording a reunion album. Carla Olson, George Callins, Rick Hemmert, Tom Jr. Morgan and Joe Read have been in the studio over the past 2 years and have 8 songs recorded so far. The new album is tentatively set for release in early 2018. Click here for a recent article on Carla Olson from No Depression.
|
|
|
A new memoir called Following Breadcrumbs: Tales of a Rock and Roll Girl Child by Jamie Johnston. The author is described as “a free-spirited, fiercely independent Hollywood brat” who “was born and grew up between the worlds of old and new Hollywood”. In her travels Jamie crossed paths with many famous names, including Gene Clark, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, Harry Nilsson and P.F. Sloan. The book is described as “an up-close-and-personal commentary of an era that changed the world, with many of its famous players traversing through the pages, evolves into a tragic love story.” Available from iUniverse. |
|
|
Only Yesterday's Gone...Did you miss a previous issue of Echoes? Not to worry! The archive of previous issues can now be found on the Gene-Clark.com website in the News section here. In The Plan - “Gene’s Gear” – feature on guitars Gene used throughout his career
- “Gene Therapy” a Gene Clark podcast – topics & music specific to Gene’s career
Backstage Pass Do you have a special story to tell or photos you'd like to share of seeing Gene in concert? I'm interested in running a feature for this newsletter consisting of memories from fans who either saw The Byrds with Gene in concert or Gene solo. If you are interested in participating, please send an email to: GeneClarkWebsite@gmail.com with the subject line: memories. Text submissions should be no longer than a brief paragraph or two. Photos should be attached to the email with a brief description and a photo credit. I hope to hear from you! This month’s 5Q is with Ken Claybaugh founder of the Byrds fanzine “The Byrds Flyte Chronicles” which ran from 1985-1989. NEXT MONTH: 5Q with film maker Paul Kendall who made the documentary The Byrd Who Flew Alone: The Triumphs and Tragedy of Gene Clark. That's all for now, more Clark-O-Mania coming next month! |
|
|
KEN CLAYBAUGH became a life-long Byrds fan ever since he heard their first hit, “Mr. Tambourine Man” on the radio in 1965. In 1985 he founded "The Byrds Flyte Chronicles" after seeing a list of fan clubs and "fanzines" in Goldmine magazine and realizing that there were none listed for The Byrds. From 1985 – 1989 Ken published 12 quarterly issues of The Byrds Flyte Chronicles which were mailed to subscribers all over the world. After "retiring", he contributed to Chrissie Oakes' "Full Circle" fanzine. |
|
|
1. When was the first time you met Gene? I first met Gene early in 1986. I had just begun publishing a "fanzine" titled The Byrds Flyte Chronicles when Gene came to Salt Lake City, Utah with his Byrds tribute band (A 20th Anniversary Tribute to The Byrds). I staked out their hotel and ran into Rick Roberts (The Flying Burrito Brothers, Firefall) in the lobby, explained my purpose in being there, and he invited me to their sound check. |
|
|
Above: issues of The Byrds Flyte Chronicles Below: Gene with Ken in a photo taken by Rick Roberts (photos: Ken Claybaugh) |
|
|
Gene graciously agreed to sit for a short interview. Encouraged by his friendliness I asked if I could phone him before each issue to garner the latest news. So, for eleven subsequent issues I would phone Gene and we would talk for as long as 30 minutes. I also visited at his home in Sherman Oaks whenever I was in southern California. |
|
|
2. What is your favorite Gene Clark story/memory? In 1990 I returned to Redondo Beach for my 20th year high school reunion with Don Richmond, a friend and fellow Byrds fan. We knocked (uninvited) on Gene's kitchen door at eleven in the morning to ask if we could treat him to lunch. It was obvious we had awakened him but Gene invited us in. We agreed the next day would work better. When we arrived the next day Gene was dressed all in black and offered to drive to lunch in his black Cadillac with “Raven 2” license plates. Gene didn't ask us for preferences but drove (make that flew) to La Frite Cafe on Ventura Boulevard. With his meal Gene ordered a Bloody Mary while I had a Sprite and Don sipped an iced tea. Gene raised his glass and offered a toast to us, saying something about "long time loyal fans". As agreed, he allowed us to pay for his meal. |
|
|
3. What do you know about Gene that you would want his fans to know? I never saw the negative side of Gene so often alluded to. With me, he was always pleasant. We talked much more than (just) music during our phone calls. He often expressed his appreciation for his fans. Rather than tiring of my frequent calls I was impressed they afforded Gene an outlet for rubbing elbows with the "common man". He also had a great sense of humor. Once, he referred to McGuinn as "Roger or Jim or whatever he calls himself this week". In concert he would refer to "Carry On" as a "tribute to luggage". |
|
|
4. Favorite Gene Clark Song/Album? My favorite Gene Clark song with the Byrds is "Feel a Whole Lot Better" and solo is "Lady of the North". My favorite album is No Other. It was released in 1974 when my wife, Mona and I had been married just a month or so. I put the record on the turntable knowing she would be impressed but her response was indifference. We are still married. (Note: Ken's unimpressed wife Mona is pictured above with his bio. We forgive her!) 5. Complete the sentence: I think Gene Clark should be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame because... I think Gene should be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame for two reasons; his lyrics and his melodies. Seriously, his writing transcended all else. Who else inserted words such as "dissonant", "tabernacle", "charismatic" or "redemptive-ness" into their lyrics? His melodies often led the listener to somewhere unexpected with minor chords or changes. Others have described his writing as cosmic or metaphysical. For me, his writing spoke to only me. |
|
|
|
|
