In this episode of Classic Rock Album Olympics music historians Gary Wenstrup and Robert Rodriguez enter The Byrds’ Fifth Dimension. Released in July 1966 the album captures the moment when the band stepped into new territory and helped invent what would soon be called psychedelic rock.

Medal Winners

The Byrds were already riding high on the success of their folk-rock hits “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” But the departure of their musical anchor, Gene Clark, left the group at a crossroads. Instead of retreating, The Byrds—now centered around Roger McGuinn, David Crosby, and Chris Hillman.

Part of the album’s magic comes from the band’s willingness to take risks. Without Clark’s songwriting contributions, McGuinn stepped up with ambitious compositions drawing from jazz, raga, and avant-garde ideas, while Crosby found his footing as both a writer and a conceptual thinker. Their trademark harmonies and McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker still captivate.

Upon release, Fifth Dimension reached #24 on the U.S. Billboard 200. The chart position was quite modest compared to their first two albums, but the album's long-term influence has been enormous.

Speaking of Fifth Dimensions, to answer a question that arose in the podcast…this Byrds’ album was released 6 months before the pop/soul vocal group the 5th Dimension achieved their first chat success with Go Where You Wanna Go. So, The Byrds got there first.

More than anything, Fifth Dimension represents The Byrds learning to reinvent themselves: moving beyond the Dylan covers that first defined them and emerging as architects of psychedelic rock.

Bonus Tracks

Mr. Spaceman

Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go) - Byrds

Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix

2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)

A Million Miles Away - Plimsouls

Psychotic Reaction – Count Five

Still I’m Sad – Yardbirds

Heat Wave – Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Why - Byrds

Side One

5D (Fifth Dimension)

Wild Mountain Thyme

Mr. Spaceman

I See You

What’s Happening?!?!

I Come And Stand At Every Door

Side Two

Eight Miles High

Hey Joe (Where You Gonna Go) - Byrds

Captain Soul

John Riley

2-4-2 Fox Trot (The Lear Jet Song)

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Fifth Dimension by The Byrds...Episode #14