Dillard & Clark

Dillard & Clark, a duo featuring former <a href="spotify:artist:1PCZpxHJz7WAMF8EEq8bfc">Byrd</a> <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Gene Clark</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Doug Dillard</a> of <a href="spotify:artist:3WAkTbMThUvVRq5keECFtS">the Dillards</a>, was one of the first country-rock groups to form in the late '60s. The group formed in 1968 and became one of pioneers of country-rock, releasing two albums before dissolving after releasing only two albums.

In 1968, <a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Dillard</a> recorded his first solo album, The Banjo Album, which featured such rock musicians as <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Clark</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:6Owil7XUQjKn5rnhhcBelK">Bernie Leadon</a>. In the spring of 1968, <a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Dillard</a> toured England as a member of <a href="spotify:artist:1PCZpxHJz7WAMF8EEq8bfc">the Byrds</a>, which led to the duo of Dillard & Clark, which officially formed later that summer. The duo secured a record contract with A&M and released their debut album, The Fantastic Expedition of Dillard & Clark, late in 1968. The record was recorded with <a href="spotify:artist:6Owil7XUQjKn5rnhhcBelK">Bernie Leadon</a> (guitar), <a href="spotify:artist:4OAQ2msDek3sk1thxcQ90g">Don Beck</a> (dobro, mandolin), and <a href="spotify:artist:7qiozhwvnBwz1t082JIBNV">David Jackson</a> (bass). Dillard & Clark toured following the release of the album; their supporting band featured former <a href="spotify:artist:1PCZpxHJz7WAMF8EEq8bfc">Byrd</a> <a href="spotify:artist:0XpkZLxjL48PUmLEI9rHYD">Michael Clarke</a> on drums.

Dillard & Clark began recording a second album early in 1969 with a new supporting band. The new lineup featured <a href="spotify:artist:6Owil7XUQjKn5rnhhcBelK">Leadon</a>, fiddler <a href="spotify:artist:6NZD4FCwmNsEIS1CL1Y3io">Byron Berline</a>, drummer <a href="spotify:artist:1YIEPQ58ouKlIRsjLsEego">Jon Corneal</a>, and guitarist Donna Washburn; steel guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:5VJJqNy6l5zfX9LpLit5N0">Sneaky Pete Kleinow</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:70FybmH2MMz9fHewhnLvjs">Chris Hillman</a>, who were both members of <a href="spotify:artist:0rESpKEusFHxhW59MIf7eM">the Flying Burrito Brothers</a>, also guested on the album. The resulting record, Through the Morning, Through the Night, appeared later in the year. After its release, <a href="spotify:artist:6Owil7XUQjKn5rnhhcBelK">Leadon</a> left the duo; he would join <a href="spotify:artist:0ECwFtbIWEVNwjlrfc6xoL">the Eagles</a> soon after his departure. <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Clark</a> decided to pursue a solo career in early 1970. <a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Dillard</a> continued his solo career, using the remaining members of the duo's backing band as the core of his new outfit, <a href="spotify:artist:0fBjNHp0rYIk9xL3OHYzsI">the Expedition</a>.

<a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Dillard</a> and <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Clark</a> continued to pursue solo careers throughout the '80s and '90s, with <a href="spotify:artist:40bbzCyICujp6RwxBotac6">Dillard</a> garnering more success and critical acclaim than <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Clark</a>. <a href="spotify:artist:040Bv6cZTRh30LyyYVXgJX">Clark</a> died in 1991 at the age of 46. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi