Mr Tambourine Man
On this date, June 21st 1965, the Byrds released Mr. Tambourine Man, which marked the beginning of the folk -rock revolution. Written by Bob Dylan, it is the only time a Bobby song ever reached #1 on the U.S.pop charts. Rodger (” don’t call me Jim”, even though that’s the name he started his career with) McGuinn aimed at crossing the vocal style of Bob Dylan and John Lennon and with the harmonies of Gene Clark and Dave Crosby ( I’ve had a mustache longer than Dave and I am not sure that’s a good thing) and Rodg’s ” Jingle-Jangle ” sound on his 12 string Rickenbacker. Mr. Tambourine Man became a huge hit. Newly signed to Columbia Records, the Byrds had access to an early demo version of M.T.M. even before their label mate Bobby D. had a chance to record it for his own upcoming album. Was Bob pissed? ” Wow, man, you can even dance to that!” said Bob without his wintry scowl.
The other big hit of the Byrds is Turn, Turn, Turn. Another ” borrowed song”. This one from the folk icon Pete Seeger with the lyrics drawn from ” Ecclesiastes” in the Old Testament. Wow, Let’s party!
Currently, Rodger can be found as “The Ringer” in the Rock Bottom Remainders, a group composed of writers Stephen King, Dave Barry, Amy Tan ( Joy Luck Club), Scott Turow ( Presumed Innocent ), Mitch Albom (
Tuesdays with Morrie), Matt Groening ( Simpsons creator ) and a few others. They play around for charity and are rumored to be calling it a day very soon. Bruce Springsteen once joined them on background vocals and remarked ” that they shouldn’t get any better because then they would be just another lousy band.”
The Byrds rendition is great stuff, but for me I prefer the version by Bill Shatner. Groove.
GrooveCentralLA 
Tomorrow they will be at the El Rey on Wilshire!
Would like to know your thoughts on Dylan’s Christmas Hits — it is certainly a jux to position of voice to song. Sort of like the caprese yogurt I saw advertised in Boston. I think I would like them both the same amount…maybe they would surprise me.
The Cros (aka: the Glue) saw the writing on the wall. As soon as Jim said “call me Roger”, the Glue moved on, saw no money to be made, saw the future of SoCal in the 60’s with Steve, Neil, & Graham (as well as Gram) ..
Am I right Groove Master ..?
thanks Jeff. You are always in the know.
Tambourine Man has always been the song that meant beginning of summer to me, but I never knew why. Thanks, GM. And, nice job working in the lyric “jingle jangle” to describe McGuinn’s guitar style, which is so right on. Loved it; keep ’em coming.
thanks doubler. Heh, go catch some waves for me today