View Full Version : GRAM PARSONS
sophisticated sissy
09-19-2007, 12:05 AM
~ Gram Parsons ~
November 5, 1946 - September 19, 1973
R.I.P.
Indeed. If anyone is not familiar with the circumstances surrounding the end of his life and beyond, it's one of the odder tales of rock n roll legacy. I read it years ago, but I'm sure you can still find it on one of the Byrds fan sites...
saturn
09-19-2007, 08:00 AM
From AMG:
Parsons went on a vacation near the Joshua Tree National Monument in California. He spent most of his time there consuming drugs and alcohol. On September 19, 1973, he overdosed on morphine and tequila, and was rushed to the Yucca Valley Hospital; he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to the funeral plans, his body was to be flown back to New Orleans for a burial. However, Parsons' road manager stole the body after the funeral and carried it back out to the Joshua Tree desert, where he cremated the body. Phil Kaufman revealed that the cremation had been Parsons' wish. Kaufman could not be convicted for stealing the body, but he was arrested for burning the coffin.
From AMG:
Parsons went on a vacation near the Joshua Tree National Monument in California. He spent most of his time there consuming drugs and alcohol. On September 19, 1973, he overdosed on morphine and tequila, and was rushed to the Yucca Valley Hospital; he was pronounced dead on arrival. According to the funeral plans, his body was to be flown back to New Orleans for a burial. However, Parsons' road manager stole the body after the funeral and carried it back out to the Joshua Tree desert, where he cremated the body. Phil Kaufman revealed that the cremation had been Parsons' wish. Kaufman could not be convicted for stealing the body, but he was arrested for burning the coffin.Well, that's the bare facts, but there was much more involved, like ice cube enemas. Kaufman stole & burned the body because of a pact between him and Graham. Graham's step father wanted him buried in Louisiana thinking he could secure some inheritance....and he is buried in New Orleans out near the airport.
Then there was the party that Kaufman threw to raise 'defense money' for his trial, something like Kaufman's Krazy Koffin Kaper or something like that. Bobby 'Boris' Pickett played (The Monster Mash), and Dr. Demento was the DJ...
I'll see if I can find a link to the whole story.
saturn
09-19-2007, 09:30 AM
Found a lot more of the story here:
http://ebni.com/byrds/memgrp6.html
Found a lot more of the story here:
http://ebni.com/byrds/memgrp6.html
That's it!
sophisticated sissy
09-19-2007, 09:58 AM
There is a new Gram Parsons CD out. You mind want to track down a copy if you like his music.
saturn
09-19-2007, 10:05 AM
The tribute album - Return of the Grievous Angel -- from a few years back, is also very good.
sophisticated sissy
09-19-2007, 10:46 AM
Yes, that is very good!