The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Leaders in the music industry joined together in 1983 to honor and celebrate the music and musicians who have had a significant impact on the evolution, development and perpetuation of the genre. The first group of inductees, inducted on Jan. 23, 1986, included Little Richard, Elvis Presley, Fats Domino, Ray Charles, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, The Everly Brothers, Buddy Holly and Jerry Lee Lewis.

In 1991, The Byrds were inducted for their unique brand of folk-rock. With his strong bluegrass background, bassist Chris Hillman began his career playing guitar and mandolin. The Byrds' first single, a cover of Bob Dylan's "Mr. Tambourine Man," was a huge international hit and marked the birth of the musical genre "folk rock." During the mid-1960s, The Byrds ranked as one of the most successful and influential American pop groups, recording a string of hits including "Eight Miles High," "So You Want to Be a Rock 'n' Roll Star" and "Turn! Turn! Turn!"

With the departure of David Crosby and Michael Clarke from the band in 1968, Hillman and his new partner Gram Parsons changed the Byrds' musical direction, helping to usher in a new era of music known as "country rock," when they recorded the album "Sweetheart of the Rodeo." Hillman’s work with The Flying Burrito Brothers reflected the eclectic musical interests of a generation.

Returning to his bluegrass and country roots in 1987, Hillman joined the Desert Rose Band, which enjoyed a string of 16 top country hits. They also garnered a number of awards from both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association. Hillman is considered a notable artist across several genres, influencing country rock and roll, folk rock and pop music. Artists such as Sheryl Crow, Beck, Rose Maddox and Emmylou Harris have covered his songs.

In October 2009, Hillman gave a lecture and performance at the Library, which has now been made into a webcast.

During his time with The Byrds, Hillman and his bandmates recorded their own rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Their cover is one of more than 3,000 available in the Library’s Chasanoff/Elozua Amazing Grace Collection.