© Photograph by John Chiasson

(NEWTON, NJ) -- The Newton Theatre presents Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn on Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at 8:00pm. Jim McGuinn, later known as Roger, was already a veteran of the New York and Los Angeles music scenes when he co-founded the group that would become the Byrds with Gene Clark and David Crosby in 1964. Prior to forming the Byrds, Roger toured and performed with the Limeliters, Chad Mitchell Trio and Bobby Darin as a guitarist and banjo player. He was also the musical director on Judy Collins #3.

McGuinn, a Chicago native, studied at the Old Town School of Folk Music and was active on Chicago's folk scene. Within a few weeks of finishing high school, he was in California with the Limeliters, playing guitar and banjo on their album "Tonight: In Person." He then toured with the Chad Mitchell Trio and recorded on their albums: "Mighty Day on Campus" and “The Chad Mitchell Trio at the Bitter End.”

He toured with singer Bobby Darin, and then moved to New York to work for Darin’s publishing company, in the fabled Brill Building as a songwriter. He and Frank Gari co-wrote the song "Beach Ball" and performed it with Darin, as the City Surfers, July 1963.

The Byrds are known for hit songs like "Eight Miles High", "Mr. Tambourine Man" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!" When McGuinn disbanded the Byrds in 1973, he began his lifelong dream of a solo career inspired by folk singer, Pete Seeger. This Grammy Award winning artist tours the world delighting audiences with the songs and stories from his long and continually productive musical career.

Tickets range from $39-$54 and will be available for purchase online starting Friday, June 16 at 10:00am. A special members-only presale takes place Thursday, June 15 from 10:00am – 10:00pm. Additional fees may apply. The Newton Theatre is located at 234 Spring Street in Newton, New Jersey.