The new McGuinn, Hillman, White and Parsons line-up of the band was together for less than a month before Hillman departed to form the Flying Burrito Brothers with Gram Parsons. John York, a session musician who had toured with Johnny Rivers, the Sir Douglas Quintet, and the Mamas & the Papas, was hired as his replacement on bass. The new band line-up, featuring McGuinn and White's dual guitar work, was regarded by critics and audiences as much more accomplished in concert than any previous configuration of the Byrds had been.