Roger McGuinn Biography: Children, Net Worth, Siblings, Age, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Music, Wife

James Roger McGuinn, known professionally as Roger McGuinn, is an American musician celebrated as the lead singer and guitarist of the Byrds, a seminal folk-rock band of the 1960s.

McGuinn’s jangly 12-string Rickenbacker guitar sound, as heard in hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!,” blends folk with rock and influences artists from the Beatles to R.E.M.

Quick Facts

  • Full Name: James Roger McGuinn
  • Stage Name: Roger McGuinn
  • Born: 13, July 1942
  • Age: 84 years old
  • Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States
  • Nationality: American
  • Occupation: Musician, Singer, Songwriter
  • Height: 1.8m
  • Parents: James Joseph McGuinn, Dorothy Helen Noonan
  • Siblings: None
  • Spouse: Camilla McGuinn (m. 1978), Linda Gilbert (m. 1966–1971), Susan Redfern (m. 1971–1973), and Dolores DeLeon (m. 1975–1977)
  • Children: Patrick McGuinn and Henry McGuinn
  • Relationship: Married
  • Net Worth: $30 million

Early Life and Education

James Roger McGuinn was born on July 13, 1942, in Chicago,

Illinois, to James Joseph McGuinn, an advertising executive, and Dorothy Helen Noonan, a homemaker.

As an only child, he developed an early interest in music, inspired by Elvis Presley, and received his first guitar at the age of 14. He attended the Latin School of Chicago, a prestigious college preparatory school, where he began performing folk music.

After graduating in 1960, he enrolled at Chicago’s Old Town School of Folk Music, where he studied under director Dawn Greening and mastered the banjo and guitar. His ethnicity is Irish-American, and he later adopted the Baha’i Faith in 1977, which influenced his personal and professional life.

Career

James Roger McGuinn began his career in the early 1960s as a folk musician, performing at Chicago’s Gate of Horn and accompanying artists such as the Limeliters and the Chad Mitchell Trio.

By 1962, he was a sideman for Bobby Darin in Las Vegas and later joined the Chad Mitchell Trio, recording albums such as “Mighty Day on Campus.” Moving to Los Angeles in 1964, he co-founded the Byrds with Gene Clark and David Crosby, adopting the stage name Roger after a spiritual awakening.

The Byrds’ 1965 cover of  Bob Dylan’s “Mr. Tambourine Man” hit number one, with McGuinn’s 12-string Rickenbacker defining their folk-rock sound, followed by hits like “Turn! Turn! Turn!” and Fifth Dimension (1966).

The Byrds evolved through lineup changes, producing innovative albums such as Younger Than Yesterday (1967) and The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968), which blended psychedelia and country rock. With Gram Parsons, McGuinn pioneered country rock on Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968), which influenced the Eagles and the alt-country movement.

After the Byrds disbanded in 1973, he launched a solo career with albums like Roger McGuinn (1973) and Cardiff Rose (1976), collaborating with Bob Dylan on the Rolling Thunder Revue and co-writing “Ballad of Easy Rider.” His work with the Traveling Wilburys in 1988, alongside George Harrison and Tom Petty, further showcased his versatility.

McGuinn’s influence endures through his solo performances and the Byrds’ reunion projects, including a 1990 box set and a 2000 live album. His Folk Den Project, which started in 1995, preserves traditional folk songs. Monthly recordings are shared online and compiled into albums, such as Treasures from the Folk Den (2001), earning a Grammy nomination.

He continues to tour, often with Marty Stuart, performing Byrds classics and new material with his signature Rickenbacker sound. His contributions to folk rock and country rock remain foundational, inspiring generations of musicians and earning him a place among the most innovative guitarists in rock.

Social Media

  • Instagram Handle: @rogermcguinn
  • Facebook Handle: Roger McGuinn
  • Twitter Handle: @RogerMcGuinn

Personal Life

James Roger McGuinn has been married four times. His first marriage, to Linda Gilbert from 1966 to 1971, ended in divorce, followed by brief marriages to Susan Redfern from 1971 to 1973 and Dolores DeLeon from 1975 to 1977.

Since 1978, he has been married to Camilla McGuinn, his manager and frequent tour companion. They have two sons, Patrick and Henry, and reside in Florida.

A devoted follower of the Bahá’í Faith, McGuinn credits his spirituality with guiding his life and music. He enjoys sailing and maintains a low-profile lifestyle, focusing on family and preserving folk music traditions.

Discography

  •    Mr. Tambourine Man (1965, with the Byrds)
  •    Turn! Turn! Turn! (1965, with the Byrds)
  •    Fifth Dimension (1966, with the Byrds)
  •    Younger Than Yesterday (1967, with the Byrds)
  •    The Notorious Byrd Brothers (1968, with the Byrds)
  •    Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968, with the Byrds)
  •    Roger McGuinn (1973)
  •    Cardiff Rose (1976)
  •    Traveling Wilburys Vol. 1 (1988, with the Traveling Wilburys)
  •    Treasures from the Folk Den (2001)

Net Worth

James Roger McGuinn’s estimated net worth is USD 30 million. His wealth primarily stems from his tenure with the Byrds, with royalties from hits like “Mr. Tambourine Man” and “Turn! Turn! Turn!” contributing significantly to his earnings. His solo albums, touring, and collaborations with the Travelling Wilburys and Bob Dylan, as well as his session work, have contributed to his income.

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