Gene Clark – No Other

Gene Clark – No Other

by Pete Clemons

What makes a great record?. Many reasons I guess. It's all very subjective. But one thing life has taught me is that it is nothing to do with how many copies it sold or weeks on chart.

I do think, however, it is all about time and whether or not an album still has the capacity to move you over time.

And exactly that seems to have happened to a relatively unknown album first released September 1974. Many, who have heard it, will testify as to how wonderful it is and how it moves them.

That album is titled 'No Other' and was released by Gene Clark. Recently, it has been given the deluxe treatment. It has been re-appraised and re-released in various formats with additional versions and out takes of the songs.

After a spell with the New Christy Minstrels, Gene Clark moved to Los Angeles during 1964.

There Gene met Jim (Roger) McGuinn at the Troubadour. Jim was adding Beatles influences to his own songs. He was sat in a room of the Troubadour, called folk down, writing songs. At some point soon after, David Crosby happened to turn up with his guitar. David joined in and magic was formed.

Deciding that they had the potential for a band and, to achieve it, they required a bass player and drummer, they recruited Chris Hillman and Michael Clark. The Byrds were formed. And Gene Clark was a prolific songwriter and he was the creative glue of The Byrds.

Each of the individuals within The Byrds were completely different characters, according to Crosby. For example, Gene Clark was a totally honest guy. The band would pay bills by using bad cheques to get by. After 'Mr Tambourine Man' broke, bringing in much needed funds, Gene went back to honour those bills.

But according to other sources Gene could not handle the pressure that came with success. At one point The Beatles, Bob Dylan and The Byrds were all spoken of in same breath. Gene's issues were further compounded by a fear of flying.

On 27th February 1966 while on a plane, Gene broke out into a cold sweat. Jim McGuinn thought Gene was picking up on something – a vision of disaster maybe. Gene simply got up and walked off plane. It was the beginning of the end as Gene officially left The Byrds during April 1966 to begin a solo career.

Gene did rejoin The Byrds briefly but, during 1974, he admitted it had been a mistake leaving the band in the first place.

After spells with The Dillards and yet another Byrds reunion 'No Other' was released on Asylum Records which, at the time, was run by David Geffen who instantly recognised Gene Clark's talent.

David Geffen spoke to producer Thomas Jefferson Kaye and offered him Jackson Browne or Gene Clark for there up coming projects. Gene had been away for year and had written a bunch of songs. It had been a spiritual time for Gene and lot of soul searching had been done. It was felt that Gene needed a producer and sole mate.

Chris Hillman mentioned that 'Gene came up with divinely inspired lyrics'. 'He went somewhere in that writing experience'.

The completed 'No Other' was designed to take you places and apply it to your own life. It was a joy for the musicians involved in it as it was open to interpretation. And they really went for it. It truly is a unique and magnificent album.

David Geffen was apparently disappointed with 'No Other' as it only contained 8 songs. As such the album didn't receive finance to tour and to support it. It also, didn't help I guess, when Gene Clark punched David Geffen. Frustratingly, Gene had rightly felt totally let down. 'No Other', today, really is considered as a lost classic.

A follow up album 'Two Sides to Every Story' came a little later after which Gene took a break from music. As mentioned many times by friends and acquaintances, 'Gene continually missed ships leaving the harbour'. Having said that, a brief comeback with Carla Olsen was seen as something of a success in Americana circles as their two voices blended together delightfully.

Gene Clark passed away on 24th May 1991. However, he lived just long enough to see The Byrds inducted to the rock and roll hall of fame. They played together one last time 16th January 1991.