A Triumphant McGuinn Returns to His Roots

For his first concert since being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of the Byrds two weeks ago, Roger McGuinn returned on Thursday to the Troubadour, the West Hollywood club where the Byrds formed in 1964. Though rumored appearances by other former Byrds as well as the likes of Bob Dylan and George Harrison never materialized, McGuinn--with help from guest Tom Petty--lived up to both his and the club’s history.

The concert was a private showcase for radio and music industry personnel attending the Pollack Media Group’s annual convention in Los Angeles. With more than 100 client radio stations worldwide, the Pacific Palisades-based Pollack organization is the industry’s largest consulting firm.

With his voice and trademark Rickenbacker 12-string guitar ringing as clearly as in the Byrds’ heyday, McGuinn began with the appropriate Dylan/Byrds classic “My Back Pages.” Backed by Desert Rose Band guitarist John Jorgenson, Heartbreakers drummer Stan Lynch and bassist George Hawkins, McGuinn updated the folk-rock sound that he and the Byrds virtually invented at the Troubadour.

The group followed with songs from McGuinn’s new comeback album, “Back From Rio,” including a sparkling version of the Elvis Costello-penned “You Bowed Down.” Petty then joined for his current duet with McGuinn, “King of the Hill,” and more Byrds hits, including the still-timely “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and “Chimes of Freedom” and a stunning “Eight Miles High.”

Pollack clients have been meeting since Wednesday at the Bel-Age Hotel to discuss programming and marketing strategy. But the key events of the convention (which ends today) are always the parties and special shows at which the radio clients can schmooze with others from the music industry. In addition to the McGuinn show, this year’s program was scheduled to feature a concert by INXS at the Whisky on Friday.