Gene Clark

**Harold Eugene "Gene" Clark** (17 November 1944 – 24 May 1991) was an American singer-songwriter and founding member of the folk rock band the Byrds. He joined The New Christy Minstrels in 1963 and recorded two albums with them before leaving in 1964.

## Minstrels History

Founder Randy Sparks hired Clark to replace the young Doug Brookins, who had been hastily recruited to replace Dolan Ellis only a month before. Ellis had been a featured vocalist in many of the group's numbers before his departure in April of '63. (It was Ellis who suggested that Sparks check out the Surf Riders.) Sparks was unhappy with Brookins and needed a replacement quickly; the group had just released their single "Green, Green", which looked likely to be a hit single, and the album *Ramblin'* (Columbia Records, 1963) was ready for release in August. The group had a full schedule of upcoming tour dates and TV appearances in support of the single and the new album, and recording dates for other releases were also planned.

Right away, Clark entered the studio with the Minstrels to record the song "The Wheeler Dealers", which was released in October of '63 as the B-side of "Saturday Night". ("The Wheeler Dealers" was on the soundtrack of a James Garner film by the same name.) In July, the group returned to the studio to record *Merry Christmas!* (Columbia, 1963), which was released in November. On that first B-side, Clark was briefly featured, but on most of his other recording sessions with the group, he was relegated to the background. According to Pickles, the young country boy was never assertive enough to push for a more prominent part. As a result, he never stepped into the limelight that his predecessor Ellis had occupied.

"Green, Green" peaked at #14 on the *Billboard* singles chart in July and received heavy airplay throughout the fall of '63. With Clark, the Christys recorded German and Spanish versions of the song in August and September. They also recorded the single "Saturday Night" that September. That single was released in October and peaked at Number 29 in November.
In December, the group recorded the album *Land of Giants* (Columbia, 1964). This project was held in reserve until August of 1964, several months after Clark's departure. In January, the group recorded sessions for another album, *Today* (Columbia, 1964). According to Pickles, Clark was apparently among the members who missed the sessions due to colds. Ironically, his old bandmate Mike Crumm (aka Crowley) was brought in from the Back Porch Majority to fill in for absent Christys, and actually soloed twice on the album.

On 14 January 1964, seven months of constant touring culminated with an appearance at the White House before new President, Lyndon Johnson. But in early 1964, Clark began to chafe in the Minstrels. His role in the group was clearly subordinate, and there was no prospect of the Minstrels singing any of his compositions. Clark was unhappy with the group's pop approach to the its material. And after a demanding schedule of live and TV appearances, Clark had developed the fear of flying and the aversion to road life in general that would periodically plague him throughout the rest of his career. Pickles adds that Sparks was disenchanted with Clark's performance in the group, that he had already lined up Clark's replacement, and that Clark was aware of his impending dismissal. Then, when the Minstrels were on tour through Canada, Clark heard the Beatles sing "She Loves You".

The song haunted Clark. Soon after hearing it in Canada, Clark stumbled on it again in a jukebox in Norfolk, Virginia, along with "I Want to Hold Your Hand". Overcome with enthusiasm, Clark listened to the songs over and over. It was an epiphany: "I knew, I knew, that this was the future, this was where music was going and that I wanted to be a part of it." Soon after, in late February of 1964, Clark left the Christys. Clark always claimed to have quit; Sparks says he was fired.

Clark headed to LA to check out the local clubs. One night he showed up at the Troubadour on Santa Monica Boulevard and heard Jim McGuinn singing "You Can't Do That".

## Minstrels Albums

* *Today*
* *Land of Giants*

* *Coat Your Minds with Honey*