An Evening with Roger McGuinn

A member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Roger McGuinn is a founding member of one of the most influential psychedelic rock bands of the 1960s: the Byrds, with Gene Clark and David Crosby.

McGuinn, originally known as Jim, is from Chicago. He studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music, and within a few weeks of finishing high school, he moved to California to play guitar and banjo with the Limeliters on their album “Tonight: In Person.”

McGuinn moved to New York City in 1963, where he heard the Beatles for the first time at the Brill Building. Inspired, he added the “Beatle Beat” to his favorite folk songs in coffee houses throughout Greenwich Village. McGuinn moved to Los Angeles when his unique blend of folk and rock did not take off in New York. It was there that he met both Gene Clark and David Crosby, forming the beginnings of the Byrds. Over the years, the Byrds released 12 albums, including numerous gold, platinum, and Grammy Award-winners.

After disbanding the Byrds in 1973, McGuinn began his lifelong dream of a solo career inspired by Folk singer Pete Seeger.

In 1991, McGuinn recorded the album Back From Rio with his friends Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers, Elvis Costello, Chris Hillman, David Crosby, Michael Penn, and John Jorgensen. And in 1995, McGuinn began The Folk Den Project, recording and uploading traditional folk songs to his website to preserve this musical history; he records a new song each month and makes the lyrics and chords available for free download.

“Before there were books, music saved our history.”
– Roger McGuinn

Join McGuinn in celebrating his legendary career as a Rock star and Folk artist on SOPAC’s stage this fall!