Sweetheart of the Rodeo

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is an album by American country rock band The Byrds, released on July 29, 1968 (see 1968 in music). Though The Byrds were not the first to fuse country and rock, they quickly became one of the most popular acts of the time to do so. With the talents of legendary country musician Gram Parsons, The Byrds released a long series of rock albums fixed with various influences, including bluegrass, folk and country music. Sweetheart of the Rodeo is widely regarded as one of The Byrds' key albums.

Related Topics:
Country rock - The Byrds - July 29 - 1968 - 1968 in music - Gram Parsons - Bluegrass - Folk - Country music

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In early 1968, after the release of The Notorious Byrd Brothers and the departures of both David Crosby and Michael Clarke, the remaining two members, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman decided to push forward. They quickly hired Kevin Kelley, Hillman's cousin, as drummer, and Gram Parsons to play additional guitar. It soon became apparent that Parsons was steeped in country music and lore, and with previous flirtations with the genre captured on the last two Byrds albums, Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman, with Gram taking the lead, decided to head to Nashville to dive headfirst into country.

Related Topics:
1968 - The Notorious Byrd Brothers - David Crosby - Michael Clarke - Roger McGuinn - Chris Hillman - Kevin Kelley - Gram Parsons - Nashville

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Released at a time when The Byrds' surprising immersion into the world of country coincided with declining commercial appeal, Sweetheart of the Rodeo only peaked at #77 on Billboard's Pop Albums chart, while the single "You Ain't Going Nowhere" peaked at #74 on the Pop Singles chart. After having a hit with The Notorious Byrd Brothers, Sweetheart of the Rodeo missed the UK charts completely.

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The line-up for the album was very shortlived. In July of 1968, the Byrds were set to tour South Africa when Parsons announced he would not be going along because in protest of the country's policies of apartheid (a policy that would not cease until 1994). Some members of the band doubted the sincerity of Parsons' protest, and ultimately, McGuinn and Hillman fired him from the band. Kevin Kelley soon left as well, leaving McGuinn and Hillman, once again, to decide the future of The Byrds.

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Although an uncommercial proposition at time, Sweetheart of the Rodeo proved to be a major landmark album, and its effects are still felt to this day. It is widely considered to be The Byrds' last truly influential album.

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The album was re-released in 1997 with eight bonus tracks featuring previously unreleased songs, rehearsals and outtakes. In 2003, a further version was released featuring slightly different bonus tracks and an entire second disc of material, the first six tracks of which are actually songs by the International Submarine Band (Parsons' previous band). The rest of the second disc is made up of more alternate versions and outtakes. Most of the alternate versions and outtakes feature Parsons' vocals on songs that were later released with vocals by Roger McGuinn.

Related Topics:
1997 - 2003 - International Submarine Band - Roger McGuinn

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Sweetheart of the Rodeo is listed at number 117 on the List of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

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