In the Wings: My Life with Roger McGuinn and The Byrds

by Ianthe McGuinn

The only band member who remains synonymous with the Byrds is front man Roger McGuinn. The person closest to him, who witnessed the band's rise, glittering heyday, and tumultuous clash of wills-artistic and personal within the group-was his wife, Ianthe. Sharing tales of the Byrds' rise to fame from her unique vantage point as the only woman consistently involved with and at the center of the drama and success of the Byrds, Ianthe tells the story of the exploding rock music scene in 1960s Los Angeles. In the Wings is also Ianthe's memoir of being a young and beautiful Latina from Tucson getting a crash course in love, loss, sex and drugs, marriage, and motherhood while being immersed in the aureate and vagaries of celebrity. And of course, it is the love story of Ianthe and Roger, how that love was destroyed, and how she survived to find herself. The Byrds' worldwide hit songs from the 1960s, "Mr. Tambourine Man," "Turn! Turn! Turn!," and "Eight Miles High," are iconic. Today, the group is considered by rock critics one of the most influential bands of the 1960s. The Beatles called them their favorite contemporary American group.Rolling Stone magazine dubbed the Byrds one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

230 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2017

Reviews

[Court · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a lovely book. It not only brings a long lost time and place to life, it shows that world from the unique perspective. Even though this book covers some truly dark times, Ianthe/Dolores never comes across as indignant or mean-spirited. This isn’t a juicy tell-all. Nor is it just a vanity cash-in by the ex wife of a rock n roll star. This isn’t Roger McGuinn’s story, it’s hers. It’s a very human story of personal growth and forgiveness, told beautifully with subtle flourishes and nice turns of phrase that elevated it above other books that cover similar material.

[Bob Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Strong woman during strange days

Ianthe McGuinn is not a stylish writer but she is apparently a woman of strong, if occasionally bending, will and is a survivor. This book is also evidence that a person shouldn’t dig too deeply into their heroes because, like all of us, they will prove to be deeply flawed.
I was born in 1950 and grew up in greater LA playing in youthful garage bands. The man we called Jim McGuinn (not in person) was a hero of mine and later I bought my own Rickenbacker 360-12 and was struggled to play it with my fat, stubby hand. I actually found his email address online and wrote to him. To my amazement he replied and we exchanged several emails as he helped me get adjusted to the Ric. That only heightened my respect.
This book sent his image down a few pegs in my mind and I certainly felt compassion for Ianthe and her boys. I can only hope that all concerned have found peace, as I have in my own life. The late 60s-early 70s in LA were not as romantic as they are often portrayed and we were lucky to get out alive. Many didn’t.
Ianthe McGuinn’s book offers a glimpse of the life beyond the glam.

[Kirsten Hinsdale · Rating 5 out of 5]

A spirited and inspiring memoir

Ianthe McGuinn's In the Wings takes the reader on an exhilarating romp through the 1960s through the lens of a beautiful and adventurous small town Latina girl who has the good fortune to fall in love with and marry Roger McGuinn, a struggling musician on the brink of superstardom. A great beach read, this book dishes on the Hollywood scene of the sixties and 70s peopled by the Byrds, the Beatles, Hendrix, Dylan and many others riding their heady successes to excess. Two children later, it takes a sharp turn into betrayal, chaos and confusion as Roger abandons his little family, married one of his lovers and leaves Ianthe with little but memories. Ultimately Ianthe forges a new path through life as a single mom and registered nurse--with her feet on the ground and a living network of family and friends. A book not to be missed by rock and roll enthusiasts, those of us who lived and loved in the 60s and 70s, and anyone who has hopes to survive and thrive after epic personal losses.

[Stephen Hero · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the old days I used to read Teenbeat magazine, day after exciting day, and enjoy all of the pretty idols.

And now, after some incredible hard work, I too have become pretty idle.

This is probably why my mother openly weeps every single time I come in contact of her. "The pride. The pride," she must be saying to herself through the tears.

Anyway, the book was fine.

[Avis Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sad book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ianthe McGuinn pulls no punches recounting her life with a rock and roll legend. Some amusing stories about Marlon Brando and Harrison Ford as well. Well worth reading.

[Dan Ream · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspective on the formative days of the Byrds rock group. As the spurned ex-wife, her perspective on Roger McGuinn as a husband and father is pretty negative and his point-of-view is missing here. Nonetheless, it is sad to learn bad stuff about people whose talents you have admired.