The Byrds

So you wanna be a rock ’n’ roll star? No, a folk singer

Bill Taylor writes: Over the decades, the line has constantly been blurred between rock music, folk music and so-called folk-rock. For years, Roger McGuinn danced back and forth across that line and even tightrope-walked along it. And then he came... Read more →


St Patrick’s Day postscript: the people’s choice for our imaginary CD

Two things seemed inevitable when Salut! Live posted its fantasy compilation of Irish music to mark St Paddy’s Day. We’d be rebuked for at least one of our chosen tracks and told in no uncertain terms what we had overlooked.... Read more →


Cover Story: (72) The Bells of Rhymney. Ian Campbell Folk Group, Chris Hillman,The Alarm, Joan Baez and back to Idris Davies

The revived, evolving discussion at Salut! Live about the origins and differing interpretations of The Bells of Rhymney, Idris Davies's emotive 1930s poem from the South Wales coalfield that became an outstanding song in Pete Seeger's expert hands, reminds us... Read more →


Dylan at 80: a respectful comparison of Mr Tambourine Man, by Bob and by the Byrds

Mike Amos, the man responsible for my start in journalism (his apology to the world is in the post), insists that the best Bob Dylan cover version is the Byrds' Mr Tambourine Man. I'll grant that it's a contender for... Read more →