Gene Parsons

Gene Parsons gained his widest recognition for drumming with the Byrds throughout their pioneering country-rock era, then issued several solo albums that cemented his reputation as an originator of the style. Born in Los Angeles on September 4, 1944, he spent most of his youth in the Mojave Desert. From 1963 onward he handled bass and drums in the Castaways, after which he and bandmate Gib Gilbeau performed as Cajun Gib & Gene on releases for assorted independent labels. In 1968 they joined Nashville West, whose lineup featured the inventive guitarist Clarence White, and appeared on the group’s self-titled debut. Still later that year Parsons and White entered the Byrds, making their first recorded appearance on Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde. Parsons stayed until 1972, contributing to key albums such as The Ballad of Easy Rider and Untitled, then departed to launch a solo career. His debut, Kindling, surfaced in 1973 on Warner Brothers with guest turns by White, Ralph Stanley, and Vassar Clements, among others. The same year he reunited with Gilbeau to back Arlo Guthrie and Elliott Murphy in the studio.

Parsons paused solo work in 1974 to join another trailblazing country-rock ensemble, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and played on 1975’s Flying Again and 1976’s Airborne before a wrist injury sidelined him for several years. In 1980 he signed with the Sierra label as both artist and A&R executive, releasing the album Melodies early that year, and subsequently performed with the Gene Parsons Trio, whose members included bassist Peter Oliba and drummer Richie Rosenbaum. A 1985 performing partnership with singer/guitarist Meridian Green, daughter of folksinger Bob Gibson, led to their marriage in 1986; the pair formalized their act as Parsons Green in 1991, issuing the Sierra debut Birds of a Feather in 1992. Two live albums later appeared on Parsons’ own StringBender label in 2001.