The Byrds were an American
rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman
Roger McGuinn (known as Jim McGuinn until mid-1967) remaining the sole consistent member, until the group disbanded in 1973. Although they only managed to attain the huge commercial success of contemporaries like
the Beatles,
the Beach Boys, and
the Rolling Stones for a short period (1965–66), the Byrds are today considered by critics to be one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. Initially, they pioneered the musical genre of
folk rock, melding the influence of the Beatles and other
British Invasion bands with contemporary and traditional
folk music. As the 1960s progressed, the band was also influential in originating
psychedelic rock,
raga rock, and
country rock.