Skip Battin
Encyclopedia
Clyde "Skip" Battin was an American
singer–songwriter
, performer and recording artist. He is best remembered as a member of The Byrds
, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Flying Burrito Brothers
. While considered to be a great bass player, songwriter and vocalist, he generally joined bands after their most successful periods.
Battin was born in Gallipolis
, Ohio
. His early musical career began in 1956 when he collaborated with Gary Paxton and formed the Pledges, the same duo later successfully recording under the appellation Skip & Flip
, enjoying some success with "It Was I", and their cover of "Cherry Pie". After a few years out of the music industry, he led the short-lived folk-rock group Evergreen Blueshoes, starting in 1967.
As a musician, Battin is probably best known for his position as bass guitar
ist and songwriter
with The Byrds
from 1970 to 1973. He was — by eight years — the oldest member of The Byrds, with whom he recorded three albums and toured extensively. Many of his songwriting contributions were co-written with long time collaborator and songwriter Kim Fowley
. After the breakup of the Columbia
Byrds, Battin recorded a solo album, Skip. Afterwards, he was invited to join the New Riders of the Purple Sage
, with whom he recorded three albums from 1974 to 1976.
Battin's career continued successfully and included stints with the Flying Burrito Brothers, collaborations with notable country rock
musicians, and numerous solo projects. From 1989 to 1991 he toured occasionally with Michael Clarke
's Byrds, a version which was somewhat controversial but mostly well received.
Skip Battin died on the evening of July 6, 2003, of complications from Alzheimer's disease
in a care facility in Salem
, Oregon
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer–songwriter
Singer–songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
, performer and recording artist. He is best remembered as a member of The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers
The Flying Burrito Brothers was an early country rock band, best known for its influential debut album,The Gilded Palace of Sin . Although the group is most often mentioned in connection with country rock legends Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, the group underwent many personnel changes.-Original...
. While considered to be a great bass player, songwriter and vocalist, he generally joined bands after their most successful periods.
Battin was born in Gallipolis
Gallipolis, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,180 people, 1,847 households, and 1,004 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,156.2 people per square mile . There were 2,056 housing units at an average density of 568.7 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. His early musical career began in 1956 when he collaborated with Gary Paxton and formed the Pledges, the same duo later successfully recording under the appellation Skip & Flip
Skip & Flip
Skip & Flip was a U.S. pop duo, consisting of Skip Battin and Flip aka Gary S...
, enjoying some success with "It Was I", and their cover of "Cherry Pie". After a few years out of the music industry, he led the short-lived folk-rock group Evergreen Blueshoes, starting in 1967.
As a musician, Battin is probably best known for his position as bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
ist and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
with The Byrds
The Byrds
The Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
from 1970 to 1973. He was — by eight years — the oldest member of The Byrds, with whom he recorded three albums and toured extensively. Many of his songwriting contributions were co-written with long time collaborator and songwriter Kim Fowley
Kim Fowley
Kim Vincent Fowley is an American record producer, impresario, songwriter, musician, film maker, and radio actor. He is best known for his role behind a string of novelty and cult rock pop singles in the 1960s, and for managing The Runaways in the 1970s...
. After the breakup of the Columbia
Columbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
Byrds, Battin recorded a solo album, Skip. Afterwards, he was invited to join the New Riders of the Purple Sage
New Riders of the Purple Sage
New Riders of the Purple Sage is an American country rock band. The group emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco, California in 1969, and its original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead. Their best known song is "Panama Red"...
, with whom he recorded three albums from 1974 to 1976.
Battin's career continued successfully and included stints with the Flying Burrito Brothers, collaborations with notable country rock
Country rock
Country rock is sub-genre of popular music, formed from the fusion of rock with country. The term is generally used to refer to the wave of rock musicians who began to record country-flavored records in the late 1960s and early 1970s, beginning with Bob Dylan and The Byrds; reaching its greatest...
musicians, and numerous solo projects. From 1989 to 1991 he toured occasionally with Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke
Michael Clarke may refer to:* Michael Clarke * Michael Clarke , Australian cricketer* Michael Clarke , American musician* Michael Clarke , Australian ornithologist...
's Byrds, a version which was somewhat controversial but mostly well received.
Skip Battin died on the evening of July 6, 2003, of complications from Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease
Alzheimer's disease also known in medical literature as Alzheimer disease is the most common form of dementia. There is no cure for the disease, which worsens as it progresses, and eventually leads to death...
in a care facility in Salem
Salem, Oregon
Salem is the capital of the U.S. state of Oregon, and the county seat of Marion County. It is located in the center of the Willamette Valley alongside the Willamette River, which runs north through the city. The river forms the boundary between Marion and Polk counties, and the city neighborhood...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
.
Selected discography
- Wanted Dead or AliveWanted Dead or Alive (Warren Zevon album)Wanted Dead or Alive is the first album by singer/songwriter Warren Zevon, released by Imperial Records in 1970 under the moniker "Zevon." The album was a commercial and critical failure....
– Warren ZevonWarren ZevonWarren William Zevon was an American rock singer-songwriter and musician noted for including his sometimes sardonic opinions of life in his musical lyrics, composing songs that were sometimes humorous and often had political or historical themes.Zevon's work has often been praised by well-known...
– 1969 - (Untitled) – The ByrdsThe ByrdsThe Byrds were an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California in 1964. The band underwent multiple line-up changes throughout its existence, with frontman Roger McGuinn remaining the sole consistent member until the group disbanded in 1973...
– 1970 - ByrdmaniaxByrdmaniaxByrdmaniax is the tenth album by the American rock band The Byrds. It was released in June 1971 on Columbia Records at a time of renewed commercial and critical success for the band, due to the positive reception that their two previous albums, Ballad of Easy Rider and , had received...
– The Byrds – 1971 - Farther Along – The Byrds – 1971
- Skip – Skip Battin – 1972
- BrujoBrujoBrujo is an album by the American country rock band New Riders of the Purple Sage. It is their fifth studio album, and their sixth album overall. It was recorded in 1974 and released that same year by Columbia Records....
– New Riders of the Purple SageNew Riders of the Purple SageNew Riders of the Purple Sage is an American country rock band. The group emerged from the psychedelic rock scene in San Francisco, California in 1969, and its original lineup included several members of the Grateful Dead. Their best known song is "Panama Red"...
– 1974 - Oh, What a Mighty TimeOh, What a Mighty TimeOh, What a Mighty Time is an album by the country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Their sixth studio album and their seventh album overall, it was released by Columbia Records in 1975.Oh, What a Mighty Time was produced by Bob Johnston...
– New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1975 - New RidersNew Riders (album)New Riders is an album by the country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Their seventh studio album and their ninth album overall, it was recorded and released in 1976....
– New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1976 - Airborne – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1976
- Close Encounters to the West Coast – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1978
- Live from TokyoLive from Tokyo (album)Live from Tokyo is the second live album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1979. It was originally released in Japan in 1978 under the title Close Encounters on the West Coast.-History:...
– Flying Burrito Brothers – 1979 - Sneaky Pete – Sneaky Pete KleinowSneaky Pete KleinowPeter E. "Sneaky Pete" Kleinow was an American country-rock musician, songwriter, and a motion picture special effects artist...
– 1979 - Hearts on the LineHearts on the LineHearts on the Line is an album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1981.After the Flying Burrito Brothers scored a minor country hit in 1979 with a live cover of Merle Haggard's "White Line Fever", the band was dropped from their record contract and hit yet again with...
– Flying Burrito Brothers – 1981 - Hollywood Nights 1979–82 – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1983
- Cabin FeverCabin Fever (Flying Burrito Brothers album)Cabin Fever is a live album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1985.After John Beland and Gib Guilbeau brought the Burritos to a close in 1984, original member "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow took the opportunity to use the band's name in an effort to secure overseas club work...
– Flying Burrito Brothers – 1985 - Live from EuropeLive from EuropeLive from Europe is a live album by the country rock group The Flying Burrito Brothers, released in 1986. It contains songs recorded live for a Dutch radio broadcast and features the same lineup as Cabin Fever...
– Flying Burrito Brothers – 1986 - Live on StageLive on Stage (New Riders of the Purple Sage album)Live on Stage is an album by the country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It was recorded live in 1975 at the Beacon Theatre in New York City and at the Keystone in Berkeley, California. It was released by Relix Records in 1993....
– New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1993 - Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX, 6/13/75Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX, 6/13/75Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX, 6/13/75 is an album by the country rock band the New Riders of the Purple Sage. It was recorded live on June 13, 1975, at the Armadillo World Headquarters in Austin, Texas, and released on November 1, 2005...
– New Riders of the Purple Sage – 2005