Friday, March 24, 2023

La Fin de la Semaine Essay Question: Special "The Thing With Feathers" Edition

From 1967, please enjoy The Byrds performing (IMHO) David Crosby's masterpiece "Lady Friend."

That was a single in its day, and I wore out my 45 copy of it in the expectation that it would appear on the next Byrds album in stereo. Alas, that was when they kicked Crosby out of the band, and when the album -- The Notorious Byrds Brothers -- did finally come out, they omitted the single (and replaced Crosby in the album cover photo with a horse). I should add that the version heard in the video was first releaed on a 1987 comp of Byrds rarirties and remixes (Never Before), and Crosby insisted on replacing Mike Clarke's original drum part with the work of the guy in his then touring band.

But now to business. To wit...

The 1965 photo of The Byrds above represents the definitive exemplar of what a rock band should look like -- yes or no. And the absolute worst look for a rock band ever is...?

Discuss.

Have a great weekend, everybody!

18 comments:

M. Bouffant said...

No. Brian Jones bangs are not a good look. And three straight-up sport coats (O.K., one looks suede.) & a mod-boy pastel sport coat w/ buttons are two too many sport coats.


Worst what? Publicity photos, costumes?

JB said...

Any of the hair bands with their spandex and makeup. Not a good look by any means.

ESciGuy said...

David's insistence at wearing that grungy poncho in almost every publicity photo of the time is a turnoff. Did he sleep in it?

I prefer the version of "Lady Friend" included in the box set. The drums are less obtrusive.

steve simels said...

I love the Rascals, but those idiotic outfits they wore when they were Young were pretty cringe-inducing.

Anonymous said...

Jefferson Airplane for both best and worst dressed.

Grace could be stunning or dressed as Hitler or in blackface.

And who can forget Jorma’s swastika that led to some really bad feelings within the band and with the audiences.

Captain Al

Anonymous said...

A little more.

Paul always looked dignified.

And years later Jorma found out he was part Jewish.

More Captain Al

Anonymous said...

Agreed on Rascals. I was a huge fan but those knickers and collars were just wrong
I always assumed they were ordered into them by some record company exec

Alzo said...

One could make a case for the Beatles as baby butchers...

pete said...

The well-known Stones shot of the five walking together in a park from late '66, with Brian in the big white hat, is instructive. Brian looks wild but great. Keith looks like he's trying to look as good as Brian and failing.

pete said...

I've always been partial to rockers, like McGuinn here, who wear neckties.

neal t said...

no. I'll take Who's Next over most. they almost always ask me what was being said @ the time of the shoot. Very few from the golden age had much say over what was done with shots so all seem forced & commerce driven. Punk era ended that.

Anonymous said...

Band outfits...let's not forget about Paul Revere and the Raiders. ;-)

Alzo said...

Paul Revere's Continental Army drag makes perfect sense as an answer to the British Invasion.

MJConroy said...

"And the absolute worst look for a rock band ever is..."
KISS

Butch said...

Paul Revere and the Raiders would have looked pretty silly doing the high step dance in regular clothes!

The Kenosha Kid said...

Best look: The Specials
Worst look: ABBA

case closed

Anonymous said...

Good: Residents, Ramones.
Bad: Kiss, hair bands.
C in California

Squints said...

At least they used the front of the horse. Great temptation notwithstanding