Jimmy "Early" Byrd was the first black DJ in the Boston market and is o­ne of a handful still living and accessible. His experiences, knowledge and history-making life moments are of monumental proportion. In recognition of all blacks who have come before him, with him, and after...for their contributions to our world and our lives as we know them, we hope you will find his recollections exhilarating and his memories inspirational, not o­nly this month; but always. Jimmy is pleased to remember just some of "the times" with you.

It was 1967—Muhammad Ali had been stripped of his world heavy-weight boxing title for protesting the Vietnam War. Jimmy was the first o­n-air talent to open a door, welcome, and interview Muhammad Ali o­n his radio show in Boston (WILD). These were pivotal times in American and black history. Today Muhammad and Jimmy's friendship continues.

Jimmy knows black music history, he lived the history. Jimmy brokered the deal in 1968 that kept Boston from rioting when Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was killed. Although many others now claim this action, it was The Early Byrd who conceived and initiated the idea. James Brown tells you about this time in his autobiography, as does J. Anthony Lukas’ Pulitzer Prize winning Common Ground. Lukas featured Jimmy in the Common Ground movie version. You’ll get an excellent historical account of “Jimmy and the times” in the best seller by Jimmy’s good friend, Peter Guralnick in Sweet Soul Music. Enjoy any and all of these books, available in Jimmy Byrd’s Book Store.

The incredible Ms. Ruth Brown—Jimmy met Ruth before she broke big in the business, when she was still Ruth Weston. Only a couple months before her passing, Jimmy had the sublime pleasure of reminiscing old times as she gave an interview to a gathering at the Experience Music Project in Seattle. The interview was great. The rapport between these old friends during casual Q&A afterwards was priceless. Jimmy had many years of friendship with Ruth and first husband Clyde McPhatter (member of the Drifters), and second husband Willis "Gator Tail" Jackson (tenor sax player for Count Basie). Those intimate memories and more are relived in Jimmy's heart each time he shares the stories with others.

Another great friend and o­ne whom Jimmy considers America's greatest actor is Morgan Freeman. A man whom Jimmy compliments for remaining humble through all his success. They met at a pub in Boston in 1969 and a couple years later Morgan  began work o­n The Electric Company. The photo at left was taken in 2006 when they attended the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame tribute to Sam Cooke. Morgan later extended an invitation to Jimmy as an extra o­n a movie filmed in 2006, which will be released in mid-2007.

And so, you have arrived ... to a place that will bring that will bring you back through time to the beginning of modern day Black radio. Hop o­n for a ride from the civil rights era to the present. Relive the moments of the adventurous and prestigious career of Jimmy "Early” Byrd; Boston’s Number 1 wake up artist from the ‘60’s, who is living life soulfully as always and bringing you his blessings. Travel from the past, through his experiences...step in and discover what Jimmy has pursued throughout his life . . . MUSIC, and the history of it from every angle. Jimmy’s years of blessed accomplishments, living through both turbulent and the best of times are here. Come o­n in, learn the history, read the stories, see the pictures . . . here for your pleasure. Browse Jimmy’s personal selections of music and books. Enjoy the gallery of photos past and present.

If you are looking for that special, masterful presence for a lecture, an interview or for someone dynamic to open for your own upcoming performance, consider the o­ne and o­nly, The "Early" Byrd.

Thank you for visiting and we hope you enjoy.

God Bless

The Early Byrd Staff