Does the name Chris Hillman ring a bell? How about the band the Byrds? In his enjoyable memoir, Time Between: My Life As A Byrd, Burrito Brother & Beyond, Hillman looks back at his life and impressive musical career. If you know who he is and have started humming the song “Turn! Turn! Turn!” or "Mr. Tambourine Man," this is a book you’ll want to check out.
Chris Hillman was born and raised in Southern California and became one of the founders of what is known today as country rock. He was one of the original members of the Byrds, along with Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, Gene Clark and Michael Clarke, and a co-founder of the Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons. He was a member of the band Manassas fronted by Stephen Stills. His bands included collaborations with J.D. Souther, Richie Furay and others. This memoir tells of musicians coming together to make great music, touring, breaking up, and for the most part, supporting one another. It was a special time in music and the influence of Hillman and his fellow musicians can be heard more than fifty years later. Much of the book takes place in the 60s and 70s. Some of the musicians fell victim to substance abuse yet recovered. Some, like the tragic Gram Parsons, did not.
Hillman served as the number-two man in many of his bands so he isn’t the most famous of his peers but he was part of an incredible music scene and his stories are good ones. Years after not being able to deal with a family tragedy, Hillman was able to find healing through faith. The book doesn’t dwell on his religious awakening but it’s an important part of his journey. What we have is a compelling behind-the-scenes story of a musician who tells of a magical time in musical history and his role in it. An important role.
Rated 4 out of 5 stars.
Nonfiction: Autobiography / Memoir.
Publication Date: November 17, 2020.
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