36 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY OCTOBER 8-14, 2026 www.montereycountynow.com MUSIC A list on social media caught Roger McGuinn’s attention. It ranked 10 musicians over the age of 80 who still toured on a regular basis. The Byrds’ frontman fit in at number six. “I said, ‘I finally made the top 10,’” he recalls with a laugh. Two songs by the groundbreaking band topped the U.S. charts. But “Mr. Tambourine Man” was penned by Bob Dylan while “Turn! Turn! Turn!” was a Pete Seeger original. Yet the catalog of songs written by McGuinn has resonated through the decades. And with each turn, The Byrds expanded the cultural imprint of rock. The band’s first songs were identified as folk rock. With “Eight Miles High” in 1966, they brought psychedelic rock to the top 40. The Byrds then traveled to Nashville, giving a name to country rock. “We were inventors,” McGuinn says—again with a chuckle, dismissing the importance of such genres. “We didn’t want to get labeled. Nobody got that.” McGuinn brings his one-man “play” to Sunset Center on Oct. 13. He is joined by his famous Rickenbacker 12-string guitar, as well as the seven-string with a double-G that helped shape The Byrds’ signature sound, along with a banjo and 12-string acoustic. “I take people through my journey as a musician,” McGuinn explains. “I do the hits, but weave them into a play with more obscure songs.” The program is chronological, beginning with his years as a teenager starting out in the music industry. Through it all, he shares stories about the songs and the time. One such memory dispels a common myth. It is often said by radio hosts and music writers that “So You Want to be A Rock ’n’ Roll Star” was a swipe at a popular television band. But McGuinn insists that is not the case. “Chris [Hillman] and I were going through Teen Beat and noticed all the one-hit wonders,” he points out. “People assumed it was about The Monkees, but it wasn’t.” McGuinn is quick to note that he was close friends with Michael Nesmith and also played with Peter Tork, both of The Monkees. “People tell my wife they like the stories the best,” he says, laughing once more. “Then they come back: ‘We like the songs, too.’” McGuinn clearly enjoys being on the road, even in his mid-80s. “We get paid to travel,” he says. “I’m having fun.” And he remains in the top 10. Roger McGuinn performs 7pm Tuesday, Oct. 13. Sunset Center, 908 San Carlos St., Carmel. $50-$85. (831) 6202048, sunsetcenter.org. JOHN CHIASSON Pages Back The Byrds’ Roger McGuinn brings his life in songs and stories to the Sunset Center. By Dave Faries Roger McGuinn of The Byrds fame says the enduring quality of the band’s 1960s hits was deliberate, noting that, “We didn’t want bubblegum hits.” INDOOR AND OUTDOOR DINING AND TAKEOUT Eat + Drink 57 Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey 831-373-1851 www.abalonetti.com ’26 LUNCH & DINNER SERVED DAILY from 11:30am-8:30pm Monterey County’s Best Calamari ’26 BEST RESTAURANT IN MONTEREY COUNTY! JOIN US NIGHTLY FOR DINNER AT 4:30PM TWO HAPPY HOURS DAILY 4:30-6PM & 8-9PM 3-Course Early Menu, $59, 4:30-6pm Daily Call or go to sardinefactory.com for details, reservations. 701 Wave Street, Monterey, 831-373-3775 WOOD FIRED PIZZAS, BURGERS, PASTA, SALADS, SANDWICHES AND MORE 11:30AM MON-FRI, 10AM SAT & SUN melvilletav.com 484 Washington St., Downtown Monterey 831.643.9525 HAPPY HOUR FOOD & DRINK SPECIALS Daily 4-6pm WEEKEND BRUNCH WITH BOTTOMLESS MIMOSAS BEACH HOUSE RESTAURANT + BAR @ LOVERS POINT ★ CASUAL CALIFORNIA DINING INDOOR & PATIO DAILY AT 4:30PM 620 OCEAN VIEW BLVD. PACIFIC GROVE 831-375-2345 • BEACHHOUSEPG.COM LOVERS POINT BEACH CAFE OPEN DAILY, 9AM–4PM ’24 Best Restaurant in Pacific Grove ’26 OPEN EVERYDAY for DINNER at 4:30pm Offering all your favorites plus wine, cocktails, bottle and draft beers. Now Serving Snake River Farms’ American Wagyu Prime Rib. 763 Wave St., Monterey | 831.373.3778 | thewhalingstation.com Best Steak House & Best Restaurant Over 10 years old Monterey’s MOST Recommended Pizzeria Open at 4pm Mon-Thurs • Open at 3pm Fri Open at 12pm Sat.& Sun. 725 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey giannispizzamonterey.com 831-649-1500 BEST PIZZA ’98-’24 BEST PIZZA PLACE ’25-’26 Fisherman’s Wharf’s Newest Restaurant Serving Fresh Seafood, Pasta, Steaks, Sandwiches Open Daily at 11:30am Great views at the end of the Wharf #1 www.rockfishmonterey.com • 831.324.4375 Indoor and Outdoor Dining on the Dog Friendly Patio Tapas (Happy) Hour 4:30–6pm Nightly Sunday Brunch 9am–1:30pm 700 Munras Ave., Monterey | 831-375-0176 | estebanrestaurant.com ’26 Best Appetizers/ Small Plates
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjAzNjQ1NQ==