“Mesmerizing…enchanting…fulfilling” —Best Classic Bands
Roger McGuinn is a legendary musician and singer-songwriter, known for his work as the founder and frontman of the iconic band, the Byrds. Born and raised in Chicago, McGuinn started his career as a guitarist and banjo player, touring and performing with popular bands such as the Limeliters and the Chad Mitchell Trio. He also worked as a songwriter at the Brill Building in New York City, where he co-wrote the song "Beach Ball" with Frank Gari and performed it with Bobby Darin as the City Surfers.
McGuinn's innovative musical style led him to move to Los Angeles, where he co-founded the Byrds with Gene Clark and David Crosby. The band became one of the most influential groups of the '60s, releasing hit songs such as "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" McGuinn disbanded the Byrds in 1973 and went on to release five solo albums on Columbia Records.
Throughout his career, McGuinn has also been dedicated to preserving traditional folk songs, founding The Folk Den Project in 1995, where he records and uploads a traditional folk song to his website each month for free download. He has released numerous albums over the years, including Back From Rio, Treasures From The Folk Den, and Limited Edition, and has collaborated with artists from Tom Petty to Elvis Costello.
A skilled storyteller, his solo shows are a riveting combination of music and stories—a perfect fit for the intimate space of Montalvo’s Carriage House Theatre.