By Andrew Vaughan

In January, Country rock's saddest soul was honored again in San Francisco. Gram Parsons died tragically in 1973, but his influence and legacy seems more powerful than ever. San Francisco musician, Eric Shea, a huge Parsons fan, brought together a team of GP aficionados, including Red Meat, Molly Tuttle, The Stone Foxes, Elisa Randazzo, Sweet Chariot, and Paula Frazer. Together they performed numerous Parsons songs, reminding everyone in San Francisco, at least, that rock and roll lost a genius in 1973 when the young Parsons passed away.

But who was this oft-mentioned country rock luminary, and why do so many American and alt-country acts constantly bring up his name in interviews and regularly present tribute albums and concerts?

He was born Cecil Ingram Connor to a rich Florida family in 1946. His father, Coon Dog Connor, committed suicide on Christmas Day when Gram was just 13. His mother then remarried a local businessman, Robert Parsons, and Gram took his stepfather's name. The family tragedy wasn't over, however, as his mother later died of alcoholism. Gram graduated from high school filled with plenty of material for psychological depression or a career as a country singer.

Parsons, fortunately, was a gifted musician and was playing in a local band at 12 years of age. He played with several local acts before enrolling at Harvard to study Theology - a pursuit which didn't last when he joined the International Submarine Band. Their folk-meets-country-music did well in folkie circles, and eventually Parsons met up with pop star and Byrd, Roger McGuinn. Asked to join the latest incarnation of The Byrds, Parsons lent a country edge to proceedings and worked hard on their now classic album, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, in 1968. But 1968 wasn't quite the time for full blown hippy country, and Parsons instead formed the Flying Burrito Brothers with another ex-Byrd, Chris Hillman.

They made a considerable mark in critic and musician circles, but Parson's addictive personality was already overtaking him as heroin became his chief interest in life. Part time UK country singer and part time doctor, Hank Wangford, was then working on drug treatments in London.

"Gram came to see me. He was a very troubled young man with a terrible drug problem. I worked with him for a while but I think he was past helping at that point," said Wangford.

The Rolling Stones befriended him, but even Keith Richards could not handle Parsons' self destruction and failed rehab attempts in London. Returning to America, he found a modicum of success with Emmylou Harris but was dismayed when The Eagles stole his country rock thunder and soared effortlessly into the mainstream. After finishing his latest album, GP, Gram was found dead of a massive heart attack, probably brought on by drugs and tequila.

Parsons' family arranged for his body to be flown to New Orleans, but Gram's friend and road manager, Phil Kaufmann, instead stole his body at the Los Angeles airport and carried out Gram Parsons' last wish by cremating him. Thus was the legend born.
 

Andrew Vaughan is a well-known and respected Nashville based writer.  As a music critic his work has appeared in Billboard, Music Week, Mojo, "Q", the London Times, the Guardian, and Folk Roots.  He was the founding director of Country Music International magazine and a regular guest on BBC Radio, BBC TV, and VH1.