In 1965 Missouri-born Gene Clark was riding the crest of unprecedented success and adulation as a member of the Byrds. Anointed as America's answer to the Beatles, the Byrds topped the charts with folk-rock anthems like "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Turn! Turn! Turn!" and "Eight Miles High." Gene was front and center as tambourine player, singer and principal songwriter for the group. But in early 1966 he flew the Byrds' coop. A gifted songwriter, expectations ran high for a stellar solo career, but those hopes were dashed when his debut solo album and single both failed to chart. Dropped by Columbia Records the following year, Gene's career remained in limbo until teaming up with banjo player extraordinaire Doug Dillard.