Date of Birth: July 13, 1942
Zodiac Sign: Cancer
Biography
Roger McGuinn is an American musician best known as the frontman and guitarist of the influential rock band The Byrds. Born James Roger McGuinn III, he developed an early interest in music, learning to play the guitar and banjo. McGuinn co-founded The Byrds in 1964, a band that became synonymous with the folk rock genre, blending the sounds of The Beatles and Bob Dylan. Their rendition of Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” topped the charts in 1965, solidifying their place in rock history. McGuinn’s innovative guitar work, particularly his use of the Rickenbacker 12-string electric guitar, helped define the band’s sound and influenced countless musicians. After The Byrds disbanded in 1973, McGuinn pursued a solo career, releasing several albums and continuing to tour. He has also been involved in preserving folk music traditions through his “Folk Den” project, where he records and shares traditional folk songs.
5 Interesting Facts about Roger McGuinn
1. Roger McGuinn was born James Joseph McGuinn III but changed his middle name to Roger in 1967 upon joining the Subud spiritual movement.
2. He was a session musician and worked with artists like Judy Collins and Bobby Darin before forming The Byrds.
3. McGuinn’s distinctive sound is partly credited to his pioneering use of the Rickenbacker 12-string guitar.
4. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Byrds in 1991.
5. McGuinn has been an active advocate for digital music distribution and an early adopter of the Internet for music sharing.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Roger McGuinn
1. “The Byrds were a synthesis of many influences from Bob Dylan to The Beatles to traditional folk music.”
2. “I always wanted to be a rock and roll star.”
3. “The 12-string guitar opened up a new world of possibilities.”
4. “Music is the universal language, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to speak it.”
5. “Folk music is part of our cultural heritage and needs to be preserved.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Roger McGuinn’s highest net worth achieved is estimated to be around $3 million.
Children
Roger McGuinn has two sons, Patrick McGuinn and Henry McGuinn, with his first wife, Dolores DeLeon.
Relevant Links
1. [Roger McGuinn’s Official Website](http://www.mcguinn.com/
2. [The Byrds at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame](https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/byrds
3. [Roger McGuinn’s Folk Den](http://folkden.com/
4. [Roger McGuinn on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0570354/
