| Skip Battin | |
|---|---|
 Battin (Kralingen, 1970) | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Clyde Battin |
| Born | (1934-02-18)February 18, 1934 Gallipolis, Ohio, US |
| Died | July 6, 2003(2003-07-06) (aged 69) |
| Genres | Rock;country rock;folk rock |
| Occupation(s) | Musician; songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, bass guitar |
| Years active | 1956–1991 |
| Labels | Columbia;Sierra |
| Formerly of | |
Clyde "Skip"Battin (February 18, 1934 – July 6, 2003) was an American singer-songwriter, bassist, performer, and recording artist. He was a member ofthe Byrds,the New Riders of the Purple Sage, andthe Flying Burrito Brothers.
Clyde Raybould Battin was born inGallipolis, Ohio, USA, attending local schools.[1] He discovered the electric bass when he was 17 years old.
Two years later, he moved toTucson to attendphysical education classes at theUniversity of Arizona. With fellow studentGary Paxton, he formed a college band, the Pledges. As Gary and Clyde, they recorded the single "Why Not Confess" (with "Johnny Risk" on theflipside) for Rev Records, a local label.[2] In 1959, they went into the Desert Palm Studios inPhoenix, Arizona, the home of guitaristDuane Eddy, and recorded some Paxton compositions.[3]
EntrepreneurBob Shad issued the demo of the duo's song "It Was I" on his Brent label, and renamed the act as "Skip & Flip". Their song eventually made No 11 in the American charts. The follow-up, "Fancy Nancy", was a minor hit, but they charted again in 1960 with a cover of theMarvin and Johnnyballad "Cherry Pie". Thenovelty number "Hully Gully Cha Cha Cha", written by Paxton and Battin, garnered airplay but did not make the charts. A short time later, the pair disbanded.[3]
In 1961, Battin moved to California, where he got small acting parts in films and on television.[3] In 1966, after a few years out of themusic industry, he formed the short-livedfolk-rock group Evergreen Blueshoes, whose one album appeared on the Amos label. After the album failed to sell, Battin concentrated instead onsession work for many musicians, such asGene Vincent,Warren Zevon, and others.[4]
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Battin is probably best known as bass guitarist and songwriter withthe Byrds from 1970 to 1973. He was—by eight years—the oldest member of the Byrds. He recorded three albums with them and toured extensively. Many of his songwriting contributions were co-written withKim Fowley.[3] After the breakup of theColumbia Byrds, Battin recorded a solo album,Skip.[1]
In February 1973, he began work on hisTopanga Skyline solo album. After it was completed, it was shelved for unclear reasons.[5] Battin was invited to join the country-rock groupNew Riders of the Purple Sage, with whom he recorded three albums from 1974 to 1976.
He left the group to join his ex-Byrd cohortGene Parsons in a new line up of theFlying Burrito Brothers. Meanwhile, he was replaced in the New Riders within the year byStephen A. Love.
In 1984, Battin got into a fight with Roger McGuinn after a live performance in London, UK, when McGuinn failed to pay wages to a line-up called the Peace Seekers.[3]
From 1989 to 1991, Battin toured occasionally withMichael Clarke's Byrds, named "The Byrds featuring Michael Clarke." After Clarke's death, the band continued as The Byrds Celebration, with Battin the sole ex-Byrds member. He stopped touring and recording after hisAlzheimer's disease had reached an advanced state.[6]
Battin married and had a son, Brent.[5] In the 1980s he remarried, had a son, John-Clyde and daughter, Susanna, while pursuing his dream of farming with his wife Patricia in the agricultural Willamette Valley of Oregon. Battin died on July 6, 2003, of complications fromAlzheimer's disease.[4]
In 2012, following negotiations undertaken by his son Brent with the record company, the 1973 solo albumTopanga Skyline was released on Sierra Records in celebration of the 40th anniversary of Skip Battin's first appearance with the Byrds.[5]
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