Happy 75th birthday today to country-rock pioneer and former Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers mandolinist and guitarist/vocalist Chris Hillman (born 12/4/44). Hillman’s work with The Byrds, Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons and Manassas with Stephen Stills and Dallas Taylor is that of groundbreaking influence in the alt-country genre years later. Hillman’s latest solo album, Bidin’ My Time (2017), features spots from Tom Petty and his band the Heartbreakers, some of their last recorded songs together. Listen to Hillman take on Petty’s “Wildflowers” from Bidin’ My Time
