 Following Guerin 's departure , he was temporarily replaced for live performances by session drummer Dennis Dragon . The band underwent a further personnel change following a February 10 , 1973 show in Ithaca , New York , when Skip Battin was dismissed by McGuinn , who had capriciously decided that the bassist 's playing abilities were no longer of a sufficient standard . McGuinn turned to ex @-@ Byrd Chris Hillman , who at that time was a member of the band Manassas , and asked him to step in as Battin 's replacement for two upcoming shows on February 23 and 24 . Hillman agreed to play both concerts for the sum of $ 2 @,@ 000 and also brought in Manassas ' drummer Joe Lala to fill the vacant spot behind the drum kit . Following a shambolic , under @-@ rehearsed performance at The Capitol Theatre , Passaic , New Jersey on February 24 , 1973 , McGuinn cancelled the band 's remaining concert commitments and disbanded the touring version of the Byrds , in order to make way for a reunion of the original five @-@ piece line @-@ up of the band . Five months later , guitarist Clarence White was killed by a drunk driver on July 14 , 1973 , while he loaded guitar equipment into the back of a van after a concert appearance in Palmdale , California . 
