Gram Parsons birth name was Ingram Cecil Connor III, which isn’t very rock n roll, is it? He was born in Winter Haven, Florida and grew up in a wealthy family involved in the citrus industry. He attended Harvard University for one semester but left to pursue music in Los Angeles with the International Submarine Band, whose 1968 album Safe at Home is one of the first true country-rock records.
He joined The Byrds in 1968 and steered the band away from psychedelia toward country music. This led to the landmark album Sweetheart of the Rodeo, which is now regarded as a foundational text of country-rock. It never seemed very ‘rock’ to me and a whole lot country. The thing is, at the time, country was derided by many as a conservative, ‘straight’ red neck music. And there were plenty who liked it that way. So for the rock people to get involved was more radical than it appears now.
After leaving The Byrds, he co-founded the Flying Burrito Brothers with Chris Hillman. Their debut, The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969), showcased Parsons’ unique blend of "hippie" culture and traditional honky-tonk, famously symbolized by their rhinestone-encrusted "Nudie suits," decorated with cannabis leaves and poppies. Today we might call it fusion music. It certainly fused together two cultures and helped country rock become pre-eminent in the 70s.
In the early 1970s, he launched a solo career, recording two highly acclaimed albums, GP (1973) and the posthumous Grievous Angel (1974). These records introduced his protégé and duet partner, Emmylou Harris, whose vocal harmonies became a signature of his sound. Although you might think they’re basically country records, there’s enough toughness and back beat to elevate it into a rock direction
Parsons was a close friend and major influence on the Rolling Stones, particularly Keith Richards, helping them incorporate country elements into songs like "Wild Horses" and "Country Honk." Keith in turn was an influence on Gram in more chemical ways as Gram mistakenly tried to keep up with him. Consequently, he died of drug toxicity on September 19, 1973, at the age of 26 while vacationing at Joshua Tree, California. We’ve been there, it is a humble wee place set in an amazing place.
His death became a subject of legend due to a bizarre body-theft incident. His road manager, Phil Kaufman, stole Parsons' coffin from the Los Angeles International Airport and took it to Joshua Tree National Park, where he attempted to cremate the body in accordance with a pact they had made. As you do. It all sounds very 70s.
His legacy continues and is probably more popular now than it’s ever been considering at the time, Sweetheart of the Rodeo only made #77, Gilded Palace Of Sin #164 and Grievous Angel #195 in America. None charted in the UK
