Roger McGuinn hailed as pioneer of country rock by Bruce Springsteen

Bruce Springsteen praised guitarist Roger McGuinn during a concert, calling him “the person who invented country rock” and lauding his creation of the jangly twelve‑string guitar sound that defined folk‑rock. Springsteen noted McGuinn’s influence on his own musical upbringing and acknowledged his work with The Byrds, including the 1965 hit “Mr. Tambourine Man,” which turned Bob Dylan’s song into a folk‑rock anthem. McGuinn, born in Chicago in 1942, has previously reflected on his role in shaping the genre, describing country music as simply another form of folk without political overtones.