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After nearly six decades, this classic country rock album is still influencing the genre.
Last October, BBC Music Magazine ranked the top 21 greatest country rock albums of all time. Beating out both Neil Young's 1972 album Harvest at No. 4 and The Flying Burrito Brothers' 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin, the Byrds claimed the top spot with their iconic 1968 album Sweetheart of the Rodeo.
Released in 1968, Sweetheart of the Rodeo marked the Byrds' sixth studio album. Recorded by Gary Usher via Columbia Records, the country rock album produced long-lasting classics like the band's cover of Bob Dylan's "You Ain't Goin' Nowhere" and originals co-written by Gram Parsons like "Hickory Wind" and "One Hundred Years From Now." The album is also recognized as a genre shift for the band, distinctly altering their earlier psychedelic/raga rock material to a country rock sound.
While Sweetheart of the Rodeo is recognized today as a foundational country rock album, it didn't start out that way. Initially, the album was a commercial disappointment with only one track making it into the Billboard charts and the album itself peaking at No. 77 on the Billboard Top LP chart. Its poor chart performance contrasted sharply with their earlier top-10 successes. Widespread appreciation for the record didn't come until decades later when the album was re-evaluated with new ears.
Music lovers of the '90s determined the album was a defining work in the genre, highlighting the band's ability to blend country and rock seamlessly. Today, Sweetheart of the Rodeo has solidified a legacy as one of the first albums in the country rock genre, continuing to garner the critical acclaim it deserved decades after its original release.
The Legacy of The Byrds
The Byrds were formed in 1964 by vocalist Roger McGuinn, tambourinist Gene Clark and guitarist David Crosby. Bassist Chris Hillman and drummer Michael Clarke joined later to complete the groups original lineup. Between 1965 and 1973, the band released 12 studio albums, with their debut Mr. Tambourine Man giving the band their first taste of mainstream success.
Throughout their career, the Byrds built a legacy as folk-rock icons, being recognized by several Halls of Fame including inductions into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2006. Additionally, four of their songs have been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Today, the country rockers continue to make waves and resonate with modern audiences.
Related: 1971 Classic Ranked ‘Top Southern Rock Song’ of All Time
