Roger McGuinn

American Rock Musician and Founder of The Byrds

Roger McGuinn, born James Joseph McGuinn III on July 13, 1942, is an American musician and songwriter best known for being the frontman of the influential rock band The Byrds. He was a pioneering figure in the mid-1960s folk-rock movement, with his jangly 12-string Rickenbacker guitar becoming a signature sound of the era. The Byrds scored major hits with covers like Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man" and Pete Seeger’s "Turn! Turn! Turn!" as well as original material like "Eight Miles High." After The Byrds disbanded in the early 1970s, McGuinn pursued a solo career, releasing albums such as "Roger McGuinn" (1973) and "Peace On You" (1974). His work has continued to influence a wide range of artists across various genres. McGuinn was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Byrds in 1991.