The life and death of Ingram Cecil Connor III, known as Gram Parsons, is a fascinating tale deeply intertwined with the tumultuous landscape of the 1960s and early 1970s music scene. Born into a family with a rich legacy, including a celebrated World War II flying ace father and ties to the Florida citrus industry, Parsons’ upbringing was marked by both love and instability.
Growing up enamored with rock and roll, Parsons embarked on a musical journey that led him from folk music in his teens to joining influential bands like The Byrds and forming The Flying Burrito Brothers. His contributions to albums like “Sweetheart of the Rodeo” showcased his talent and influence in shaping the emerging genre of country rock.
Despite his musical success, Parsons battled personal demons, including struggles with addiction. His tragic death at the age of 26, from a lethal combination of alcohol and morphine, cut short a promising career and left a void in the music world.
However, it’s the bizarre and macabre events following his death that have become legendary. After Parsons’ passing, his friend and road manager, Phil Kaufman, orchestrated a daring scheme to fulfill Parsons’ final wish of being cremated in Joshua Tree National Park. Evading authorities and defying legal norms, Kaufman and an accomplice stole Parsons’ body from the airport and carried out the unconventional cremation, resulting in a spectacle that captured the imagination of many.
Today, Parsons’ legacy lives on through his music and the enduring mystique surrounding his life and death. Visitors to Joshua Tree Inn and Cap Rock pay tribute to his memory, while his albums continue to inspire new generations of musicians. Gram Parsons may have left this world prematurely, but his impact on music and culture endures, a testament to the enduring power of his artistry and the enigmatic allure of his persona.
Some of the music discussed in our original episode:
Sources
- Adams, Cecil. “What’s up with the Strange End of Country-Rock Pioneer Gram Parsons?” The Straight Dope, Nov. 1997.
- Caffrey, David. Grand Theft Parsons. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 2003.
- Ferranti, Seth. “Heroin Overdose Treatments in American Prisons Are Dangerously Old-Fashioned.” Vice, 7 Nov. 2014.
- Hamedl, Frank. “Best Rolling Stones Country Songs.” Mick and the Boys, 14 Mar. 2017.
- Harris, John. “The Gram Parsons Project.” The Gram Parsons Project. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
- “Police Continue Probe of Casket-Theft Incident.” The Van Nuys News, 25 Sept. 1973, p. 23. newspapers.com.
- Godfrey, Holiday. “Buried Treasures: Grand Theft Parsons.” 25 Years Later, 2019.
- “Grand Theft Parsons.” GrandTheftMovie.Com, 2003.
- “Grand Theft Parsons (2003).” IMDb. Accessed 31 Mar. 2020.
- Johnny Knoxville Breaks Down Every Injury of His Career (Vanity Fair). 2018.
- Rock and Roll’s Most Infamous Tour Manager (Vice). 2012.
- Susman, Gary. “Johnny Knoxville Swipes ‘“Grand Theft”’ Role from Hugh Jackman.” EW, Oct. 2002.
Images
- Gram Parsons. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
- Gram Parsons & Emmylou Harris. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
- The Gilded Palace of Sin. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
- The Flying Burrito Brothers. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
- Grand Theft Parsons. Accessed 5 Mar. 2020.
Music
Theme music written and performed by Preston Garland. If you’d like more information or your own theme song, send an email to preston.garland@gmail.com
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