Gram Parsons

Pioneering Country-Rock musician Gram Parsons was born 62 years ago today.
Parsons was born Ingram Cecil Connor III in Winter Haven, Florida, the grandson of a citrus fruit magnate.
Gram had attended Harvard University, studying theology but dropped out after one semester.

Parsons was a member of the International Submarine Band, The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. He was later a solo artist who recorded and performed duets with Emmylou Harris.

Parsons died of a drug overdose at the age of 26 in a hotel room in Joshua Tree, California. Since his death, his influential songwriting has been attributed to the birth of 1970s country rock and the early 1990s alt-country movement. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #87 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Grievous Angel

I'd Like to make a brief mention here about the passing of Gram Parsons on this date in 1973.

Way too cool to be in the 27 club, he died at age 26.

Gram was a member of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, and a pioneer in the blending of rock and country music.

I'll pay greater tribute when I post of his birthday in November.