Gene Byrd

Emerging from a background of serious composition and multimedia happenings, multi-instrumentalist Joe Byrd was the mastermind behind the United States of America, who released a groundbreaking album in 1968 that injected psychedelic rock with electronic arrangements and avant-garde sensibilities. After the U.S.A. broke up following their debut album, Byrd put together the Field Hippies for a similar but much less successful 1969 LP. ~ Richie Unterberger