Customer Reviews

The Byrds: Timeless Flight Revisited: The Sequel

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

Johnny Rogan's "The Byrds: Timeless Flight Revisited: The Sequel" is really a third edition of his 10 year-old "Timeless Flight", but expanded to cover practically every release, re-release, death and newsworthy event concerning the former members of The Byrds in the ensuing years. It is exhaustive in its scope and can safely be called complete, at least until all of the original members are dead. Everything a Byrds fanatic or pop musicologist might want to know is covered in loving detail. The extensive interviews, many conducted first-hand by Rogan himself, are relevatory. His knowledge of the musical scene and social milieu of the 1960s California rock scene frames his biography effectively, adding a context in which this group's considerable achievements can be evaluated. There are many wonderful photographs of the group members, in glorious black and white, from every stage in their careers . Also, Rogan has included a thorough discography (including bootlegs and solo ventures), videography and a sessionography from 1965 to 1972. This isn't a biography about The Byrds and their nine year history, but a document of the lives and careers of the former members. In effect, it is the most comprehensive look at a rock group probably ever produced. Rogan's clinical eye for detail informs every aspect of his writing; I don't doubt the authenticity of his assertions or research. But, his actual writing style, though certainly lively, tends to gush at times, letting sentiment sway critical judgement. Sometimes, however, for an objective critic, he reveals too much of himself and his biases. Much of the time, though, his criticism is on the mark, especially if you are already familiar with the group's canon. I highly recommend this book and hope that Rogan lives to update it again in ten years. God knows that this underrated musical group deserves wider exposure in a world where a manufactured image holds more clout than talent or integrity.

This huge book really gives a informative and well-researched take on the amazing story of America's greatest folk-rock band of the sixties and early seventies.

I will echo what the other reviewers have already stated and say that this book is a Great Read! If you want to gain insight to the lives of Roger McQuinn, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Gene Clark & Michael Clarke this is the proper place to learn the whole story. The life of this band spans only seven years, (1965-1972) but this book continues in telling the story up through the early 1990's when Michael Clarke & Gene Clark, both passed away.

Again, if you are a fan of this band and want the details, this is THE book to own about The Byrds...Five Stars !!!

...you MUST track down a copy of this! Johnny Rogan is a Byrds fanatic and expert..no..THE expert and must have spent his youth as a fly on the wall of whatever building the Byrds were in! This edition is actually the third version of Rogan's bio. It's huge. It's definitive. It's brilliantly written. It's..er..out of print! Try the UK if you luck out here. TRACK IT DOWN!

I agree with the other reviewers of this book, in that it's thorough, well written, and covers everything a Byrdsmaniac could want to know. Written in a flowing style that puts you as close to the facts as anyone will probably get.

To call this book a 'sequel' to his 1980 original is like Honda calling the Fireblade superbike a 'sequel' to the CG125. The original 'Timeless Flight' was a well-written (but annoyingly not indexed) account of the Byrds and the post-Byrd careers of the founder members. 'Timeless Flight Revisited' is a meticulously researched, painstakingly annotated and cross-referenced encyclopaedia of all things Byrd. Another reviewer has commented (quite rightly) that although the original book ended on an optimistic note - mooting the possibility of a reformation of the original line-up - this book ends with two obituaries (Gene Clark and Michael Clarke) and is somewhat pessimistic. True enough, but unfortunately all Rogan is doing is reflecting events (two original Byrds are no longer with us - therefore there can never be a Byrds re-union, Q.E.D.).
The obituaries (especially Gene Clark's) are both moving and finely detailed, and could stand as fully-fleged works in their own right. Finally, as a life-long Byrds fan, I was surprised at my own reactions while reading this epic biography - for the first three quarters of the book my overriding impression was that Crosby was an as**ole of the highest order - by the last quarter I was marvelling at his ability to not only survive his gargantuan drug consumption, but to stay clean and mentor others. Despite myself I found myself feeling a new-found respect for a man I had considered a demon in my view of Byrds history.
This book is a bible for Byrds fans, is essential reading for anyone interested in the development of rock in the 60's and 70's, and could be taken as the ultimate study text for any potential rock biographers.
Rogan has written a work of great worth here.

Let's put it this way: to enjoy this book, you either have to be a Byrds enthusiast to a healthy degree (me, for instance), or a raving lunatic fan(Um, that would be Mister Rogan!:-)). I love the Byrds to a respectable degree, but I'll tell you, this guy is fanatical. Good thing too, because I learned a lot more from Rogan than other writers on Byrds related topics. Maybe too much, but is that so wrong? This is more than a complete bio on one of the greatest American bands on the planet, right alongside Steely Dan, and for as long as it is, the book is impossible to put down. Never saw the other versions outside of this one, so I would have to say that this is well worth the money if you happen to be more than a casual fan. Rogan tells it like it is with no punches pulled, and the two obits on Michael Clarke and Gene Clark are very honest and tastefully done.

Transport yourself back in time and spend a few decades with musicians who were so passionate that, despite all the frustration, you can't help but admire them all individually. The best crops endure the hardest seasons, and the end product is always worth the struggle. The Byrds musical catalogue demonstrates that more clearly than even a diehard fan like Johnny Rogan can describe. Still, the book is definitely worth the time and the read. It may be huge, but I guarantee you will get through it in no time at all.

Johnny Rogan's "The Byrds: Timeless Flight Revisited: The Sequel" 4th edition, is a revised and updated edition of his 1997 tome "Timeless Flight." If you are a fan of the Byrds, this is the definitive book! It is revised, updated and expanded to examine in detail all aspects of the group's members (album releases, projects, and deaths in the years following the group's existence (1965-1972.) The book is huge (700+ pages) and minute in its details and Rogan interviewed all of the principals; wrote extensive notes, annotations, a discography, and many, many details and recollections. Good thing he completed his work before the recent (April 2011) death of group manager and producer Jim Dickson who was a major source of this book it seems.

Rogan is a fine writer, but at times as others have noted, you can see he is a fan when he lapses into gushing praise or praise. Don't get me wrong, it just is unexpected when you read a book like this expecting "Behind the Music" style "just-the-facts" expose writing. It actually makes the book a better read and it covers all aspects of the Byrds, the background, the music, the members and "all the things" one would expect from such a story, including the inevitable "sex, drugs and rock n' roll." The Byrds made innovative and unique music despite clashing egos, members with very different musical backgrounds and vision.

Rogan lets the members, the producers and other folks speak for themselves and weaves the narrative together. David Crosby gets his say and vents his spleen, as does Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman. Rogan does a fine job with obits/retrospectives of Gene Clark (died 1991) and drummer Michael Clarke (died 1993.) I have to say that in spite of being an admirer and fan of David Crosby, I gained more insight and understanding of him from Rogan's book.

"Timeless Flight Revisted" is the best book on a rock group that I have read and is essential reading for anyone who is a fan of the Byrds. I did not agree with all of Rogan's reviews of some of the albums or group members solo projects, but he presents them in a logical and well researched way and I could see his points. This is especially true of McGuinn and Hillman's solo efforts. A worthy addition to any bookshelf!

That this is essential reading for any Byrds fan is an understatement. Rogan has given us perhaps the most detailed account of The Byrds from beginning to end (and even after) we will ever get. Background information on the individual Byrds, how they came together and how they came apart. Rogan gives his personal assessment of each of their albums song by song. While I sometimes disagree with his opinions and conclusions, it certainly provoked me to look at some of their material with a different perspective.

My favorite thing about this book is the fact it's mostly in The Byrds' own words. Rogan fills the gaps with details and music discussions, but he lets the band do the talking as much as possible, much of which comes from his personal interviews. We get everyone's side of the story this way, and with this group's history, that's important. Up to the writing of this book there was still some mud slinging going on between former members. Just getting the individual memories and opinions of this great band makes this book more than worth the price.

The actual story of this band defies the imagination. A group of extreme individuals with varying musical backgrounds, thrown together almost by chance. Before they really got to know and respect each other they had a worldwide hit. One can wonder if it might not have been better if things hadn't happened so fast, but on the other hand, they tended to be impatient, so it might not have lasted. In any case, when they weren't bickering and clashing egos, we were treated to some amazing and brilliant music, often ahead of its time and usually quite unique in sound. It is sad that they couldn't keep it together, but it seems the more tension there was in the band, the better the music, Younger Than Yesterday and The Notorious Byrd Brothers being the proof. The Notorious Byrd Brothers in particular has had a profound effect on me. Yet at the end of all that unbelievably good music (and some of my favorite bonus cuts) we can hear with our own ears the fierce fighting and trading of insults and sarcasm between members of the band. In between moments of brilliance lurks tragedy, comedy and stupidity. It makes you sad to the point you have to put on a Byrd's album to feel better about it all.

This book is the perfect companion to your Byrds' music collection and should deepen your appreciation for their music. There's not a boring line here. This is a page turner from start to finish, and I knocked this out in a couple of days. I couldn't put it down, reading a page or just a paragraph in between performing tasks. If you love The Byrds, you want this book.

This book is the staple Byrds bio with lots of excellent releases analysis and evaluation and varying degtrees of dtail about the various memebrs but not great detail on any as is to be expected. The extra chapters on Gnee Clark & Michael Clarke are both very well written although very sad and perhaps speak of two talents who wanted to live the rock'n roller lifestyle to the end no matter the cost.

Sounds as though a lot of the info came from Jim Dickson and he is very sympathetically treated but one has to say that it sounds as though Jim & Eddi tickner deserved great credit for the Byrds ever flying.

I didn't agree with Rogans evaluation of some of the solo releases eg Chris Hillman Slippin away which I consider a mighty album but we totally agree that Gene Clarks No Other is probably a work of genius (thanks partly to producer Tommy Kaye I'm sure).

This has everything you need to know (and more) about this great band. Fills in a lot of interesting details about David Crosby that he glossed over in his first autobiography (a very interesting man that Crosby!). It covers the deaths of both Gene Clark and Mike Clarke and gives plenty of details regarding the band's history. Granted, it gets less interesting when Crosby leaves the band (but so did the band). This has to be one of the best ever books on a rock band. If you love the Byrds then you must have this book.