Paul Sexton presents the story of the Byrds. Best known for their version of the Dylan song 'Mr Tambourine Man', the distinctive 12 string sound of 60s band The Byrds, has had a remarkable but rarely acknowledged influence on popular music.

Everyone from REM, Tom Petty and Velvet Crush, to country artists such as Emmylou Harris, folkies such as Judy Collins, to almost the whole of British pop from the punks to the present day, their impact has been huge.

Telling the story of the band and its legacy, this programme features contributions from REM's Peter Buck, Hugh Cornwell, Dave Davies, Diesel Park West, the High Llamas, Adam Seymour of the Pretenders, Ashley Hutchings of Fairport Convention, Judy Collins and Julie Felix, as well as biographer Johnny Rogan and Byrds members Roger McGuinn, Chris Hillman and former manager Jim Dickson.

MUSIC & FACTUAL

Broadcast on Radio 2 in May 2006