PRE-STARBYRD
The original idea was to form a band consisting of Robert Wiersma (Holland), Horst-Peter Schmidt (Germany) and Graham Allman-Talbot(England). This band should be called WSG. As Robert decided not to take part in this project, Graham and Horst-Peter started the project without Robert. They called their new band "STARBYRD".

Two musicians and composers - each successful in their own right, working together to produce a unique style of music that will make you listen again and again.
Horst-Peter Schmidt and Gat have had success as solo artists or with other bands, or both!

So this is Starbyrd - individuals working together as equals, bringing all their influences into one pot and producing music that will stand the test of time.

Horst-Peter enjoys massive success with The Different Faces, the Köln based band. Their albums 'The More Things Change' & “Signature” have been described as 'more Rickenbacker than McGuinn with a voice to match' and Chris Hillman of The Byrds is one of many fans. Horst-Peter (also described by one reviewer as 'The Crown Prince of the Rickenbacker 12 String') has also released solo albums, most notably 'In The Jingle-Jangle Morning' and 'The Six Seasons'.
Horst-Peter plays the following guitars:
- Epiphone" Les Paul"
- Fender Stratocaster
- Gretsch Falcon 7593
- Martin D12-42RM "Roger McGuinn Limited Edition"
- Ovation Pinnacle
- Rickenbacker 370/12 "Roger McGuinn Limited Edition"
- Rickenbacker 381 "John Kaye Limited Edition"

Gat (first name Graham) has been a solo artist for many years producing music that has been described as 'Roger McGuinn meets George Harrison'. Gat's influences obviously include The Byrds and The Beatles as well as many of the West Coast bands, some well known, some not so well known.
Gat plays numerous instruments including acoustic guitars, 6 string Fender and 12 string Rickenbacker guitars, bass, piano/keyboards and percussion.  

2003 STARBYRD HATCHES:
Graham and Horst-Peter met when Graham entered a competition that the Different Faces were organising - the chance to win a free copy of their CD 'The More Things Change'. Graham was one of the lucky winners and was blown away by the quality of the songs and the musicianship of the band. Graham wanted to record a version of one of the tracks - 'Back To The Roots' - for his own up and coming CD and wrote to Horst-Peter to ask for permission. Horst-Peter not only gave permission to use the song, but loved the version that Graham did so much that he suggested it would be good to team up sometime and work together. Graham jumped at the chance and Starbyrd was born.

2003-05-13 Horst-Peter meets Chris Hillman in Utrecht/Holland
(http://users.skynet.be/fa409087/utrecht2003.htm)(see Photo Gallery)

2004
A NEW STARBYRD JOINS THE BAND
As the band started recording their first CD (On The Other Side Of Mad) they asked a good friend to help out on some harmonies on a couple of tracks. That help expanded to include some guitar work as well as a stint on lead vocals on a couple of songs as well as doing all the artwork for the CD. As the CD was about to be released, it was decided to ask him to join the band as a full member. That good friend is Ritchie Dunlop who is also a member of the Different Faces with Horst-Peter.  

2004-06-11  Starbyrd are invited backstage by Camilla & Roger McGuinn backstage in Turnhout/Belgium
(http://users.skynet.be/byrdmaniax/turnhout2004.htm) (see Photo Gallery)

2004-08-21 THE FIRST STARBYRD CD
“On The Other Side of Mad” released   

2005-01  A STARBYRD FLIES AWAY
Graham Allman-Talbot leaves the band.  

2006                                                                                                                Graham temporarily rejoins the band.
Starbyrd records "Lover of the Bayou" for the Byrds Tribute Project.

2007
Gat and HPS release their new solo CDs "Then to Now" & "Jingle Jangle Journey"

12-2007  Starbyrd's cover version of Roger McGuinn's "Lover of the Bayou" for the Byrds Tribute Project (Vol.4)  released (> http://cdbaby.com/cd/timelessflyte4)

07-13-2009
Horst-Peter invited backstage to celebrate Roger McGuinn's birthday after an outstanding show at the "Alte Pfandhaus" in Cologne. Thanks Camilla & Roger !

2009-GAT's new solo CD "Eclecticity" released

2010- HPS's new solo CD "Phoenix" realeased

2010-12 new Starbyrd single "Leave my Home" released
(> http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/Starbyrd1)

2011-01 Starbyrd CD "Return of a Starbyrd" released