The Byrds was a rock band from Los Angeles that initiated the folk-rock genre by incorporating traditional folk music with influence from the British Invasion. The band formed in 1964 by Jim McGuinn, Gene Clark and David Crosby who all shared an affinity for folk music and the Beatles. In 1965, the Byrds recorded its debut single "Mr. Tambourine Man," and was joined onstage by the author of the song, Bob Dylan, later that year. The impromptu appearance by Dylan sparked interest in the band among young audiences and the Byrds began generate massive crowds at Ciro's Le Disc nightclub, where they had previously landed a residency. The Byrds released its 1965 debut album Mr. Tambourine Man, which peaked at number six and seven on the US and UK Billboard albums charts respectively. The second half of the 1960s saw a shift in the Byrds sound from folk-rock to psychedelia, which caused allegations that the band's lyrics were advocating recreational drug use. Despite the success of its 1970 two-record untitled album, the band's constant changes to its lineup led to the its breakup in 1973. While the Byrds only experienced a few years of commercial success, the band's influence on folk music paved the way for an entire genre.
