An Arbitrary History of Country Rock (Or ... )

... Byrds Aflight

In 1969, the original members of one of the very first country rock bands, the Byrds, had all gone their separate ways.

Gene Clark was deep into his partnership with Doug Dillard, bringing fiddler Byron Berline into the mix to electrify the duo for their sophomore effort, Through The Morning, Through The Night.

Roger McGuinn was still working as a Byrd having teamed up with Dylan to write The Ballad Of Easy Rider, a beautiful tune that was included in the movie and on their October 1969 release of the same name.

And the Flying Burrito Brothers, a Laurel Canyon summer dream of Chris Hillman and Gram Parsons, became reality with the release of The Gilded Palace of Sin, with the classic Burritos cut, Sin City.

The newcomers to country rock, at least in terms of recordings, were the Band, whose first album, with the classics The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and Up On Cripple Creek, became a part of the rock canon from their very first day on the turntable.

As is always the case, there were some lesser-knowns who had as much influence on the scene as their more famous partners. One such person was Steve Young.

It was in 1969 that Young, who had as much influence on the outlaw country movement as the coutnry rockers, wrote and recorded his debut record, Rock Salt & Nails (which included a beautiful version of Seven Bridges Road, later made famous by the Eagles.

His influence was quite direct at times: Rock Salt & Nails included contributions from Clark, Parsons and former Byrd Chris Ethridge.