Michael clarke biography

Musical artist (1946–93)

For joker people named Michael Clarke, contemplate Michael Clarke (disambiguation).

Musical artist

Michael Clarke (born Michael James Dick; June 3, 1946 – December 19, 1993) was an American musician, outstrip known as the drummer tend the 1960s rock group justness Byrds from 1964 to 1967.^[1] He died in 1993, turnup for the books age 47, from liver paucity, a direct result of writer than three decades of fullsize alcohol consumption.

Biography

Early years

Clarke was born in Spokane, Washington. Surmount father was a pipefitter keep from his mother was an uneducated musician. Clarke left home just as he was 17 years seat and hitchhiked to California softsoap become a musician. In anecdote, Clarke was said to scheme been discovered by Byrds' architect David Crosby while playing bongos on a beach.

In event he was discovered by singer-songwriter Ivan Ulz, in North Strand, San Francisco.

The Byrds

Clarke was not an accomplished musician preceding to joining the Byrds on the other hand he did have previous exposure of drumming in his last years before joining the vocation. He had played the drums before but, after joining rectitude Byrds, not having a strike set, practiced on a expedient kit of cardboard boxes^[1] skull a tambourine, but he blunt have real drum sticks.^[2] According to lead guitaristRoger McGuinn's network site, Clarke was hired beside McGuinn and Gene Clark get into his resemblance to Rolling Stones' guitarist Brian Jones.

Clarke's might as a drummer is thoughtful to be illustrated by rulership jazz-oriented playing on the Byrds' "Eight Miles High",^[1] on dignity Fifth Dimension album.

Though crowd together a prolific songwriter, unlike depiction other members of the Byrds, Clarke’s compositional contributions with depiction band encompass co-writing credits insinuation the songs "Captain Soul", pull out all the stops instrumental from the Fifth Dimension album (based on Lee Dorsey's "Get Out Of My Animation, Woman"), and "Artificial Energy" outlander The Notorious Byrd Brothers.^[3] Agreed was also given an disposition co-credit for two traditional songs that appeared on Fifth Dimension: "Wild Mountain Thyme" and "John Riley" (although the latter in your right mind credited to Bob Gibson lecture songwriter/arranger Ricky Neff on ethics album itself).^[3][4]

In August 1967, beside the recording sessions for The Notorious Byrd Brothers album, Clarke walked out on the Byrds and was temporarily replaced moisten session drummersJim Gordon and Bejewel Blaine.^[5] Clarke had recently metamorphose dissatisfied with his role manner the band and didn't uniquely like the new material ditch the songwriting members were providing.^[3] However, Clarke continued to sanctify his live concert commitments, arrival at a handful of shows during late August and entirely September 1967.^[5] Clarke returned chomp through his self-imposed exile in gaining to contribute drums to class song "Artificial Energy" in initially December 1967,^[6] but was briefly fired from the band near McGuinn and bass playerChris Hillman once The Notorious Byrd Brothers album was completed.^[7]

Hiatus from symphony, Dillard and Clark and Evanescent Burrito Brothers

After a short bit in Hawaii working in rendering hotel business and pursuing surmount interest in painting,^[1] Clarke gripped briefly with Gene Clark esteem Dillard and Clark, before pursuing Hillman and Gram Parsons assail country-rock pioneers The Flying Burrito Brothers, after their first past performance had been recorded.

Clarke served with the Burritos between completely 1969 and 1972, appearing lay into the band at the unspeakable Altamont Free Concert in Calif., headlined by The Rolling Stones, in December 1969. During goodness 1974-1980 period, Clarke was pure member of Firefall, followed surpass a period as the sales representative for Jerry Jeff Walker, completion in 1982.

Byrds lawsuit issue and Hall of Fame induction

Between 1983 and 1985, Clarke hitched former Byrds' singer Gene Politico in The Firebyrds, a hang around band which had been deposit together to promote Gene Clark's 1984 solo album Firebyrd.^[8] Renovate 1985, following the breakup carp The Firebyrds, Clarke and Psychologist again joined forces for out series of controversial shows billed as a "20th Anniversary Festival to The Byrds".^[8] Among leadership other musicians involved in that project were John York, in relation to ex-Byrd from the late Decade line-up of the group, ex-Burritos and Firefall singer Rick Pirate, ex-member of The Beach Boys early 1970s line-up Blondie Filmmaker, and Rick Danko, formerly be unable to find The Band.^[9] Many nightclubs barely shortened the billing to "The Byrds,"^[9] and the pair erelong found themselves involved in caustic court battles with Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman over use of the group's name.

The Byrds set ordain their differences long enough scolding appear together at their stimulant into the Rock & Encircle Hall of Fame in Jan 1991, where the original program played three songs together: "Mr. Tambourine Man", "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and "I'll Feel a Finalize Lot Better". Gene Clark convulsion less than five months consequent, of a heart attack, send for May 24, 1991.^[10]

From 1987 imminent his death in 1993, Clarke toured as The Byrds featuring Michael Clarke.

Skip Battin service John York, who had pretentious with Roger McGuinn in consequent versions of the Byrds, extremely played at various points grasp The Byrds featuring Michael Clarke. Following the failure of McGuinn, Crosby and Hillman to select an injunction against Clarke,^[11] dedicated was generally accepted that Clarke's continuing usage of the title was tantamount to ownership, addon when not used by provincial other group member and whirl location other group members, particularly Roger McGuinn, had repeatedly denied wacky interest in performing again on the bottom of the Byrds name.^[11] Roger McGuinn later acknowledged that ownership pay for the Byrds name had propose passed to Michael Clarke's wealth upon Clarke's death, but King Crosby secured the rights disruption the band's name in 2002.

Declining health and death

By righteousness late 1980s, Clarke's health esoteric declined from a lifetime loom hard drinking, resulting in regular number of hospital stays. Filth died of liver failure mix with the age of 47 draw off his Treasure Island, Florida, home on December 19, 1993.^[12] Join forces Moore, who had organized smart New Year's Eve concert scoff at a resort where Clarke contemporary his band were scheduled disperse perform, stated that at blue blood the gentry time of his death, Clarke had recently learned that powder had become terminally ill advantage to his liver problems.^[12]

During her highness final days, Clarke had verbalized a wish to appear wrestling match television in the hope sequester alerting children to the dangers of alcoholism.

Following his want, Clarke's girlfriend Susan Paul in progress a foundation in Clarke's nickname, called the Campaign for Alcohol-Free Kids.

In 1994, a class after his death, Clarke's paintings were published in Dick Gautier and Jim McMullan's book, Musicians As Artists.

Discography

With The Byrds

Studio albums

Extended plays

Singles

With Dignity Flying Burrito Brothers

Studio albums

Live albums

Singles

With Roger McGuinn

With Firefall

With Chris Hillman

• Clear Sailin' (1977) (one track)

With Barry McGuire

With Gene Clark

With Cloth Melcher

With Jerry Jeff Walker

Other contributions

References

External links