Dillard & Clark
| Company type | Duo |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Genre | Country rock |
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Gene Clark, Doug Dillard |
| Defunct | 1969 |
| Products | Albums, singles |
Dillard & Clark was a country rock duo formed by former Byrds member Gene Clark and banjo virtuoso Doug Dillard, known for his bluegrass background.
History
The collaboration originated in 1968 following Clark’s departure from the Byrds and Dillard’s exit from the Dillards. They emerged as influential contributors to the Southern California country-rock movement alongside contemporaries such as Poco, the Flying Burrito Brothers, Linda Ronstadt, Michael Nesmith with the First National Band, Rick Nelson & The Stone Canyon Band, and the later incarnation of the Byrds.
Their initial release, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark (1968, released by A&M), showcased Clark on lead vocals, acoustic guitar, and harmonica; Dillard on banjo, fiddle, and guitar; Bernie Leadon providing vocals, lead guitar, bass, and banjo; David Jackson on bass; and Don Beck playing mandolin and resonator guitar. The album also featured guest musicians including Chris Hillman on mandolin, Byron Berline on fiddle, and Andy Belling on harpsichord. The majority of the songs were composed by Clark, Dillard, and Leadon. Early live performances were supported by drummer Michael Clarke.
This album is acclaimed for its pioneering fusion of country rock with Americana influences.
Their sophomore and concluding album, Through the Morning, Through the Night (1969), introduced Donna Washburn as a guitarist and vocalist, while Bernie Leadon departed to help establish the Eagles in 1971. Additional contributors included Berline, Jackson, Jon Corneal on drums, with guest appearances by Leadon, Hillman, and pedal steel guitarist Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
Following the end of Dillard & Clark, Gene Clark returned to his solo endeavors. Doug Dillard briefly continued with Doug Dillard & The Expedition before embarking on a solo career. Byron Berline went on to co-found the Country Gazette alongside Roger Bush.
Albums
| Release Date | Album Title | Record Label | Recording Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center | Template:Center |
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Singles
- 1968: "Train Leaves Here This Mornin'" / "Out on the Side" (A&M)
- 1969: "Why Not Your Baby" / "The Radio Song" (A&M)
- 1969: "Don't Be Cruel" / "Lyin' Down the Middle" (A&M)
- 1970: "Don't Let Me Down" / "Rocky Top" (A&M)
- 2012: "Why Not Your Baby" / "Lyin' Down the Middle" (A&M / Sundazed)
Compilations
- 1970: Grass Roots (A&M) (a compilation featuring Flying Burrito Brothers and Dillard & Clark)
- 1973: Kansas City Southern (A&M) (issued in the Netherlands)
- 1975: G & D (A&M) (Netherlands release)
- 1989: The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark & Through the Morning Through the Night (A&M) (compilation combining both albums)