Clark, (Harold) Gene (1941–1991)

US rock and folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist, a founder member 1964–66 of the influential rock group the Byrds. He was a member of the New Christy Minstrels (a folk group) 1963–64, and later of Dillard & Clark, a bluegrass duo; he also recorded solo.

Clark, born in Missouri, joined the New Christy Minstrels, who at the time had some chart success (for example ‘Green Green’ 1963). He formed the Jet Set in Los Angeles, California, with Jim McGuinn (1942– ) and David Crosby (1941– ); with the addition of Chris Hillman and Michael Clarke they became the Byrds. Heavily influenced by the Beatles, Clark was initially the main songwriter and strongly contributed to the group's vocal sound. He left at the height of the Byrds' fame, in April 1966. His solo albums include No Other (1974), and he made two albums with the banjo player Doug Dillard. Clark participated in various Byrds reunion projects and for a time in the late 1970s teamed up with two former Byrds in McGuinn, Clark & Hillman. His last album was So Rebellious a Lover (1987) with Carla Olson.