Skip Battin

Skip Battin

lyde "Skip" Battin (February 18, 1934 - July 6, 2003) was an American singer–songwriter, performer and recording artist. He is best remembered as a member of The Byrds, the New Riders of the Purple Sage, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. While considered to be a great bass player, songwriter and vocalist, he generally joined bands after their most successful periods.

Battin was born in Gallipolis, Ohio. His early musical career began in 1956 when he collaborated with Gary Paxton and formed the Pledges, the same duo later successfully recording under the appellation Skip & Flip, enjoying some success with "It Was I", and their cover of "Cherry Pie". After a few years out of the music industry, he led the short-lived folk-rock group Evergreen Blueshoes, starting in 1967.

As a musician, Battin is probably best known for his position as bass guitarist and songwriter with The Byrds from 1970 to 1973. He was — by eight years — the oldest member of The Byrds, with whom he recorded three albums and toured extensively. Many of his songwriting contributions were co-written with longtime collaborator and songwriter Kim Fowley. After the breakup of the Columbia Byrds, Battin recorded a solo album, Skip. Afterwards, he was invited to join the New Riders of the Purple Sage, with whom he recorded three albums from 1974 to 1976.

Battin's career continued successfully and included stints with the Flying Burrito Brothers, collaborations with notable country rock musicians, and numerous solo projects. From 1989 to 1991 he toured occasionally with Michael Clarke's Byrds, a version which was somewhat controversial but mostly well received.[citation needed]

Skip Battin died on the evening of July 6, 2003, of complications from Alzheimer's disease in a care facility in Salem, Oregon.


    Wanted Dead or Alive – Warren Zevon – 1969
    (Untitled) – The Byrds – 1970
    Byrdmaniax – The Byrds – 1971
    Farther Along – The Byrds – 1971
    Skip – Skip Battin – 1972
    Brujo – New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1974
    Oh, What a Mighty Time – New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1975
    New Riders – New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1976
    Airborne – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1976
    Close Encounters to the West Coast – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1978
    Live from Tokyo – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1979
    Sneaky Pete – Sneaky Pete Kleinow – 1979
    Hearts on the Line – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1981
    Hollywood Nights 1979–82 – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1983
    Cabin Fever – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1985
    Live from Europe – Flying Burrito Brothers – 1986
    Live on Stage – New Riders of the Purple Sage – 1993
    Armadillo World Headquarters, Austin, TX, 6/13/75 – New Riders of the Purple Sage – 2005

In 1970/71 the new Byrds line-up with McGuinn, White, Parsons ans Skip Battin (bass) recorded 3 albums. The double album "(Untitled)" became a huge success bringing the group back into the charts but the two last Columbia-Byrds albums "Byrdmaniax" and "Farther Along"  suffered from a lack of inspiration. In July '72 new hassles led to the firing of Gene Parsons  who had to be replaced by jazz fusion drummer John Guerin for stage appearances. Next Skip Battin had to go and the band played their final gig in February 1973 with Chris Hillman on bass and Joe Lala on drums.
None of Battin's three solo albums released from 1971 to 1983 cracked Billboard's album chart, but his first, titled "Flip," was reissued recently.

During the 1980s and into the '90s, he participated in various Byrds-New Riders-Burritos reunions. He also worked frequently in Europe and lived for a time in Italy, recording and performing with other Southern California country-rock veterans.

"He was professional, nice guy," said songwriter-producer and singer Kim Fowley, who met Battin in 1959 and wrote songs with him for two decades. "Skip was a diplomat, a real gentleman, a good loyal friend, and as a musician he was the ultimate sideman and group member."