He is the under-appreciated pioneer of a masterful blend of country and rock music. Many artists and fans owe their thanks to this man, but know little about him. Gram himself did not define his work as "country-rock," his music fits into both genres separately. For those of you who’ve read up on him, yes, there has been a lot of information thrown out there which, like most celebrity biographies, slings mud or makes assumptions. And though the interview people who knew him, the author himself never knew Gram personally...not even Polly Parsons (his daughter). What I would like to do is share with you a positively biased portrait of Gram Parsons – the Grievous Angel.
He lived from 1946 - 1973, born in Winter Haven, Florida...about an hour's drive from Tampa (where I live). Florida was and in many ways still is a slow, southern swamp which has a unique feel from the rest of its neighboring states. Gram came from the renown Snively family, who were huge citrus growers and are partially responsible for the water park Cypress Gardens. Gram also made his home in Waycross, Georgia, which is the scene in his version of "Miller's Cave." His mother and father were both drinkers, partiers, and raised their children with little restriction – typical southern family. Despite that, Gram grew up a true southern gentleman. Even though he always had money from his family's fortunes, he was a generous soul.
Gram started playing in bands in his teens in Polk County, FL. His step-father went so far as to build him his own coffee house to perform in. Playing and writing music was a hobby since he was young, and was his focal point all throughout his life. Though Gram liked country music, he didn't see himself as a hick or redneck or shitkicker, because he wasn't. Those were older, blue collar people. He also enjoyed folk which is what he played through high school and his first and only semester at Harvard University in Boston, Massachusetts. His first major band was the International Submarine Band with whom he nightclub hopped in New York. It was there he met John Phillips of the Mamas and the Papas. Another constant in Gram's life was meeting and knowing well-known musicians and talents. With whom, he was also in the immediate reach of someone very famous. In 1968, Gram joined the already huge band the Byrds in Los Angeles, California. As Gram was later evicted from the Byrds, and the band itself later broke down, Chris Hillman followed Gram to form the Flying Burrito Brothers. As Gram responded to his involvement with the FBB, "I was involved with that conspiracy."
Already intertwining country with rock, Gram started a pattern which wouldn't catch on until almost a decade later. In this, Gram was ahead of his time. And I think because of this, his work with the ISB, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers, and his solo work did not receive the acclaim it deserved when first released. From his later solo work, he made duets with Emmylou Harris. She can thank Gram for her break into the music industry, because even though Gram didn't "discover" her, it was he who asked her to join him in the recording studio and on the road. She states all of her knowledge about country music and how it is created, she learned from Gram.
To me, and this is my opinion, Gram was a troubled soul. He grew up in a household where he could escape into his own world, away from the troubles his family was brewing. Both parents and step-dad passed away early from alcohol abuse. Add this to his struggles as an artist, his somewhat introverted personality, and all the burdens and demons he carried, it's really no shock Gram himself died from substance abuse. His pains and torments are very evident in his music – either in the covers or his original work. Even without drugs or alcohol, I don't think Gram was ever happy. In addition to all this, he suffered serious head trauma from a motorcycle accident with almost killed him. In an era where almost everyone who was anyone was doing drugs, it was a "party foul" to say no. And regardless of any of that, Gram was a young man. He was not even 27 when he died and never had the life lessons he needed to mature beyond the point he was. So many who did die at 27 were categorized in immortal fame. Gram missed the famed number by less than a month.
Gram’s death in itself is a story. According to those around him, he made a pact with his “manager” Phil Kaufman that if he died, he did not want a boring Christian funeral. So, after Gram’s death, his body was stolen, taken to Joshua Tree National Park in California, and was mostly cremated. The arresting sheriff coined the charges against Kaufman as Gram Theft Parsons. The remains were shipped to New Orleans where his step-father placed him in a discreet grave, no big markers or signs for the Grievous Angel. The marker which states "God's Own Singer" is oddly placed there, since Gram did not write that song.
It was Gram's style of music that paved the way for bands like the Eagles (whom Gram didn't like), the Doobie Brothers (whom I despise), Lynyrd Skynyrd, and some albums by the Rolling Stones and Fleetwood Mac. Even Keith Richards of the Stones worked with Gram, sharing and compiling a country sound which is especially noticeable on Exile on Main Street. Gram was a visionary, a pioneer without really trying to be one. All he wanted to do was become a star like anyone else and make music. During the late 60's, country music was not enjoyed by hippies, and country music fans didn't not take kindly to the long hairs like the Byrds trying to create country. Squares and straights did not mix, but Gram hoped one day everyone could go to a honky tonk and listen to the same music together. Only until around the time Gram died, did country-rock (as it's termed) really become a factor in the music world and start influencing the charts.
The immitators out there do what we know as country rock. A band like the Eagles has no roots in the music, nor the tormented essence required to bellow out such tunes. Southern music is a soulful, emotional, and very personal way of expressing oneself. George Jones, for instance, deeply describes his pain and anguish in most of his tunes. Gram was able to accomplish the same feat in his own music. I don't think people up north or in California can truly grasp that concept, nor pull the necessary elements from themselves to create such sound.
The first of any genre is usually unnoticed. William Shakespeare was not an original and we don't know who his predecessors truly were; however, his works survive the test of time and he is mortalized with gracious titles. Those who prospered from the mid-70's country-rock craze did much the same. It's hard to classify Gram in a genre, because if you label him country-rock, that's only a term that has become more common after his death. Gram was not rock, not traditional country, nor a hippie. He was hippie-like, but not a flower power, astral child. To classify Gram, he was just himself. There was no other. He walked into honky tonks and saloons with swede pants and moccasins, causing a near riot among the audience, but showing he knew enough about his craft to get cheers in the end. And as far as country music is concerned, Gram was a virtual encyclopedia of tunes.
The music created by Gram is real, almost too real. He hits a place in your heart that brings tears to your eyes. In his music, he lays everything on the line (in traditional country fashion). Those near Gram do not recall him emotionally venting a lot, because as the person he was, the only true way he knew how was through song. Hot Burrito #1, Brass Buttons, and $1000 Wedding really detail the sadness lingering in this young man. You can actually hear his voice break as he is brought to tears singing the line, "I'm your toy, I'm your old boy...but I don't want no one but you to love me." Here are sentiments which go straight forward, piercing the soul, and touching you. You don't stop listening to music like Gram's.
I have created this page in hopes that both current fans and future fans will share the music of Gram Parsons and understand his influence in music. It's unfortunate he is not played on the radio, he is not in any countdown on TV, nor are his albums littering any music store shelf, but he is a giant. And those who know of him know this is true. I know of him because of word of mouth, reading, and luckily a very friendly online community who openly shares the work he created. Please comment on this page, share anything about Gram Parsons. Also, please visit my YouTube page to listen to music by the one and only:
http://youtube.com/user/harpohat
Long live the Grievous Angel!
