What Happened to GRAM PARSONS ( Updated )

When we worked on our first Gram Parsons video, we fell in love with the man and his music and realized there was so much more to add. We've updated the photos and video quality to bring this charismatic rock star to life. Gram Parsons was talented, innovative, and truly loved country music. This country-rock pioneer found a way to bring country to the masses, while creating a new genre that was truly his own.
Please sign the petition to have Gram Parsons inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
www.gopetition.com/petitions/gram-parsons-wall-of-fame-and-petition-to-induct-into-rock-country-halls-of-fame.html

[@cindyj5522]

I only saw him live once and not too long before his death, but he was touring with Emmylou. I will never forget the deep sapphire stage lighting and the sound of "Love Hurts" from just 6 feet away as I sat in the front row. I can still hear and see them in my mind like it was yesterday. What a gift.

[@twyla-e3o]

Yea... another gifted meserable drug addict ... How gifted do you have to be to put a needle in your arm?

[@margaretross9150]

Go away. You know nothing about Gram Parsons' life and the reasons traumatized people slip into drug use. @@twyla-e3o

[@alanpengo3335]

What an experience my friend 💙🙏

[@Yet1moreUtuber]

As a small side note, the grave next to Gram, is that of Delmo Crow Jr. voice of the Cookie Monster from Sesame Street.

[@daveoelke857]

😮Wow, what a contrast of voices. 😊

[@pmcclaren1]

He & Emmylou; the match "made in heaven!" Both highly intelligent, so gifted. He the Southern gentleman with his Southern lady! Her beauty is stunning!

[@branko4033]

Couldn't agree more. And I am not a Southerner. I am not even American (well, not in flesh, anyway).

[@eddythefan]

Basically, i have EVERYTHING he ever recorded. He was a Music GENIUS.

[@jamessveinsson6006]

You found an album of the international submarine band. You are lucky.

[@carolyngarman1422]

I love Graham Parson's voice. We were cheated of great music yet to be made.

[@joshuacook4116]

For our anniversary I bought my wife a pick that he actually used because she LOVES his music so much! She was so excited that she cried. We are expecting a baby and are discussing naming it after him (if it's a boy).

[@margaretross9150]

That's beautiful. I read that his sister Diane gave her son the name Gram as a second name.

[@roostersantana5473]

You should, congrats

[@peopleskarmasquad1042]

Emmy Lou if a girl

[@martinskanal]

@@peopleskarmasquad1042 or Grama

[@Discovering_truth47]

Have you visited his hostel..?

[@stevenminnerly5336]

Gram had the talent. The money in his family made it less likely his talent would be ignored. But man was he ever talented. Friggin unbelievable...

[@rosemaryspafalmouth2609]

Beautiful tribute!

[@bugeanuflorin1531]

R.I.P master Gram, magical voice. Great tribute . Fabulous performance music. One favourite artist. Thank you

[@seanmeisner3190]

Thank you for revisiting the life and music of the beautiful, troubled genius that was GP. "He redefined country music's possibilities for me. If he'd lived, I think he would have redefined them for everybody." -- Keith R.

[@Alpha11]

And thank you for the nice comment and that great quote.

[@blindmelonstubbly]

The Eagles copied Grams style imo and were a massively succesful band because of him

[@romeysiamese6662]

If you read Grams bio he had some early life trauma…dads suicide, moms alcoholism. Gotta F w your head. Such a talented artist. Lost too young.

[@bobbybobberson9349]

Excellent video. That wasn't a picture of Parsons mother at 1:13 though. It was his step fathers 3rd wife. Picture was taken years after his biological mother died. Thanks for posting!

[@mjbachman3027]

Correct, it's not Big Avis.

[@dannyholmes2801]

Place called Derry Down in Winter Haven, Fl. It's a remodeled version of the place his father built for his local band, so the story goes. Wednesday night is open mic night.

[@xeverettx2564]

What an absolute tragedy. He wrote a couple and played on the greatest most important country album of the sixties “Sweet Heart of The Rodeo” don’t get me wrong everyone in the Byrds was equally important and extremely talented!!! He was post honky tonk but pre “outlaw” country. Obviously Buck and Merle made extremely influential albums in the sixties but that’s was their traditional Bakersfield loud telecasters honky tonk that they had done and would continue but Parsons work with the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Bros. Was something on a whole different level. Not better just different!! Anyways I could ramble for days about Parson and probably even longer about Clarence White hahaha!! Great mini doc!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@txgal2924]

Thanks for the upload. He was so talented and handsome. Gone too soon.

[@dougmorris9317]

I knew the tragedy that was coming, but you painted a beautiful picture of the man along the way. (My gosh, I had totally forgotten the early loss of his parents.) This was a really fine watch, thank you Alpha11.

[@Alpha11]

Thank you for the nice comment!

[@paavoviuhko7250]

You have to listen to Brass Buttons. I cried for many years over that song. If it doesn't bring tears to your eyes then I guess you never went through a childhood trauma that would make you sensitive enough to feel the pain.

[@margaretross9150]

"And the sun comes up without her, it just doesn't know she's gone". 😪

[@paavoviuhko7250]

@@margaretross9150 Thanks for that quote.

[@tasossaros8375]

Love Gram Parsons thanks for sharing 👍

[@BROOKS39]

Both Sweet Heart Of The Rodeo and Gilded Palace of Sin are must listen to albums. Even if you don’t like country music

[@dennisdemark8151]

Born a musical genius 🎤🎶🎶🎶🎸

[@pcdubya]

like they say the brightest lights burn out twice as fast

[@wirelessone2986]

Yeah heroin is shit

[@bigB6flyer]

“If I should ever die...” Only a rock n roller would say that.

[@normatible9795]

Gram did not leave the Byrds. He was only hired for the country album of The Byrds called Sweetheart of the Rodeo, after which his contract ended. - from an interview of producer Gary Usher

[@margaretross9150]

He left early. They were headed to South Africa, and he refused to go. Whether they would have kept him on after his contract was up was moot after that. Hillman said, "I wanted to murder him, but he wouldn't open his door." They made up later after Chris left the band as well.

[@Chuckles..]

I love Sweetheart Of The Radio. I am a fan of all the incarnations of The Byrds.

[@davidmckinney6577]

He was a very talented Man 👍 may God bless his soul rest in peace 🙏 my friend

[@Greg_call]

Interesting story that I was never aware of. Good bio of his life.

[@shazam1969ish]

RIP sweet boy

[@tomasranta6154]

The album Buck Owens at Carnegie Hall followed by the Flying Burrito Brothers Gilded Palace of Sin got me hooked on that type of country.

[@Linda-pw8gx]

Love you gram parsons 💕

[@javierprats4822]

Nunca habrá nadie como él,para mí sigue siendo mi personal recuerdo,sensaciones que me hacen continuar en esto.Gracias por todo sigo contigo siempre.

[@timoverington5177]

Seems like he lived it to the max ...

[@sup393]

That might be an understatement

[@susanevans2725]

Awesome singer gone way too soon tomorrow will be the 48th anniversary of his death - RIP Gram.

[@ervincrafford3048]

Why do we NEVER hear any of Gram's songs played on regular radio or XM/SIRRUS?

[@HunterTiberisBojangles]

"Cosmic American Cowboy"...Nice..

[@Z00Maddict]

Damn, lost his dad to suicide at 12 yrs old and his mum to alcoholism at 18. That's a lot of hurt.

[@purplesage3348]

Awesome update.

[@JoelWelter]

Very nice video. Thank you!

[@davidkoplitz1969]

Only 26 ! Very Sad…😢

[@joelgalvan8358]

Too, much cuervo gold, and morphine. No, Cerberus to greet you. Only ,the love of your fans. Sleep sweetly, gram.

[@carolcamp4828]

Nicely done😻

[@howardowens721]

Gram certainly wrote wild horses and gave it to jagger and Richard. He probably wrote honky tonk woman as well.

[@rebeccarosenberger16]

Listen to Grams Last Interview. He told us in that, that he did not write Wild Horses.

[@jewelrymaker1607]

Mick's brother told Uncut mag back in '13 that it was definitely a Parsons composition. Either way, when Chris and Gram invited Miss Mercy and me to A&M studios to the recording session for this glorious composition, Gram proudly insisted that Mick and Keith had given it to him for the Burritos to cover. Gram loved Keith and They wrote the song together with Gram penning the lyrics! @@rebeccarosenberger16

[@candiceyoung8244]

This was a great telling thank you

[@Alpha11]

Thank you!

[@candiceyoung8244]

@@Alpha11 you're very welcome 😊

[@ChristineMeadors]

So sad music was powerful ✝️

[@lenabjornell]

Very Good gummisnodd

[@nowhereman9463]

I never that, thaanx. What a tragic story.

[@joelgalvan8358]

Ffantastic

[@judycolson6047]

Oh I didn't know Jim Messina was in Poco. I wonder why Gram quit the Byrds. Maybe because the Byrds were about washed up by then. That suit says it all. Too much into drugs. So he was married at the time he and Emmylou were friends. I had always thought they were a couple, but they were only together for a little while as friends which influenced her greatly in her upcoming career. Sad passing at 26 but dope is always Russian roulette. The lyrics to 1,000 Wedding are haunting. In his lyric book (can find it on KZbin), the words call this bride as passing, not going away. Sad deep song. See you in the second resurrection Gram! We'll all know much more about this life then.

[@kevinjoseph517]

on SOTHR were his vocals scrapped? so mc guinn could sing those songs?

[@VanessaMallia]

Safe at Home 😢

[@shellymusgrove3328]

🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤

[@theresaheyer537]

lookin' quite Glen Frye=ish.great talent so pained..

[@jlk566]

Graham and Amy Wienhouse are my grievous angel brother and sister, I be with you always

[@VideoTraxxFanaticRules2004]

Welcome back , you haven't upload any videos for over a year

[@WilliamCreator57]

Can you do What Happen to Boxcar Willie?

[@blackholeentry3489]

He was bumming a ride north on a southbound train which collided with an eastbound Red, White & Blue Flyer.

[@ernestogasulla7763]

Most of the story is a list of far more famous musicians he met and played with -and for some reason or another quit after a few months.

[@surfwriter8461]

There are some serious mistakes or false statements in this video, though I don't know enough of Parsons' bio to judge some of the claims. Regarding The Byrds, that band was already doing some country-rock well before Parsons met up with them. Chris Hillman had a strong bluegrass background and injected country styling into a number of Byrds songs in earlier albums, usually songs Hillman wrote and later including country-oriented guitarist Clarence White as well. (White joined the band officially when all the originals but McGuinn had departed, and that later incarnation of the band should never have used The Byrds name, in my view.) Further, "Sweetheart of the Rodeo" is NOT considered by many the best album that The Byrds produced. It was influential and admired by more people well after it was released, but it is not considered by many fans or critics as the best album by the original Byrds or any configuration of the band. Finally, the reference to his relationship with Emmylou Harris is deceptive and pretty insulting in its casual tone. It was not just speculation that they were "an item" as the video clip describes their relationship. I think Emmylou Harris has made that clear enough in her more respectful way, and Parson's death took a big emotional toll on her.

[@MrBobzilla1959]

I believe you got some of your facts wrong but nice video anyway!

[@Lozt6508]

Do Eric Carr (KISS)

[@outoftheirskulls5676]

What a waste.

[@russellrobins5320]

Another example of drugs being overall no good for anyone. Que the lame drug enabler rebuttals

[@lastcoyote2355]

Opinions vary . It seems all great artists are shadowed by a darkness, Jim Morrison, Hendrix, Joplin, Presley and so on and so one . But from that shadow a birth of great art is given. So we’re the drugs a brief passageway from the haunting shadows? One of the gentleman who started AA was a song writer and had written some good tunes the other was a novelist. Both were hard drinkers , yet when they quit their indulgence in liquor they lost their desire for their art . Very , very few can break the tie of addiction, but those that do somehow go on and create good art .... but it is never from the heart.

[@lastcoyote2355]

I suppose some will blame drugs or alcohol for the end of great artists, most greats have dark shadows that very few are privy to . The spark and the flame . Perhaps drugs or alcohol are the only passage away from their darkest shadow. A brief time in the light of creativity. I can not and will not judge their addictions . Nor will I cast a stone on the alleged self righteous. Sometimes the flame is unable to keep up with the spark.

[@wirelessone2986]

Heroin sucks monkey arse and the absolute soul out of your body....every single star that does it has mush in their head at least enough for evil to rob them with heroin as death bait.

[@russellrobins5320]

@@lastcoyote2355 tell that to Beethoven, Renoir or H G Wells

[@thomasrobinson182]

Too much fun of the chemical kind. He's certainly talented, but it took others to interest him in country music as at one point he was a folkie doing Byrds songs. The Byrds had also written and recorded country-flavored songs before his arrival. Too many Gramfans ignore or discount the contributions of the other Byrds and producer Gary Usher.

[@margaretross9150]

Gary Usher has said that Gram was the Byrd he worked most with while producing Sweetheart of the Rodeo. Also said he very much enjoyed working with Gram.

[@maggiemae7539]

He favors Eric Faulkner of bay city rollers

[@glitter-lk5dz]

🙄 yikes

[@wazzazone]

It's a choice: JUST DON'T

[@billyshane3804]

I was told he got on the drugs because people like Brian Jones had made drugs very cool.

[@lukeroth100]

What a bummer. Don’t be gruesome in your drug use.

[@waltersobchak7275]

How do you OD on morphine??

[@gillianrichardson2404]

Simpiy PUT !!.SOOO TRUE !!! You NEVER ever know for sure & EXACTY what you are getting ? or what it is laced/ contaminated with !!!!...EVER ....when youi think you reeeeelly know and trust your dealer !! OH NOOOOO NEVER reliable EVER Drugs are for SICK people ...TRUELY ..DONT DO EM LIVE LOVE SING LAFF LIVE TO ROck ON & OONN & OONNN

[@gillianrichardson2404]

A sad but serious message ..Plesae GET it some...many...the message YOU may be one of the VERY unlucky one ...OR the lucky one !!???? less chance ...we ALL know that

[@waltersobchak7275]

@@gillianrichardson2404 hey buddy thanks for caring. I don’t do those kinds of substances. I’m more of a Ketamine and LSD and tryptamines kind of guy. I don’t smoke or inject anything. I’m old. God bless

[@dawndonivan3089]

@Walter Sobchak I think they left out he'd also been drinking heavily while using the morphine. That'll do it for sure.

[@waltersobchak7275]

@@dawndonivan3089 Yeah if I want a nice opioid I just grab a 40 OC out of the freezer I still got a bunch

[@devonknox8172]

ketih richards

[@dirtyberry2120]

Never heard of him!

[@ryanthompsonthompson820]

Same

[@beverleyderby1536]

You have now!!

[@ernestogasulla7763]

He really was a minor country songwriter. That's why this tribute doesn't include any of his songs.

[@kl2894]

@@ernestogasulla7763 Maybe there are no songs because of copyright? I have whole albums of his songs (solos, International Submarine Band, Flying Burrito Brothers and Sweetheart of the Rodeo with alternate takes) and I wouldn't trade them for any of your so called 'major' country stars.

[@pennyesposito5619]

That's because you're all just kids!!! We knew him!!

[@cynthiamurphy3669]

Lord, when he was a kid, he looked like the young actor who plays the main character on Young Sheldon.

[@davidbennett420]

big freaking deal.....just another dude who od'd.....seen many...even my brother.

[@gerrymarks7527]

To be honest i did not care for him in the byrds.just my openion.

[@gvdz3395]

my dad named me after this legend, and I finally dove into his music after my dad's passing. Man I had been missing out all these years.

[@jpb1231000]

Gram was Special... No Doubt!!!

[@slimturnpike]

Cool dad.

[@SalvadorRodriguez-ek2sm]

your dad is also your uncle...

[@SalvadorRodriguez-ek2sm]

your dad is also your uncle..

[@TorkG8]

I've always thought they _should_ have respected his wishes and have his ashes scattered in his fave place.

[@debg7710]

Look up the YT video 'Desert Cremation' for more details

[@maryboardway5320]

Stepfather wanted his trust money and needed Gram's body in New Orleans to legally get it.

[@chriscorman734]

​@@maryboardway5320So sad your very last wishes so always be honored crap on the money

[@LANDSEAAIRCANADA]

A very exceptional post Thank you Kindly

[@Alpha11]

Good to see you again and thanks for the nice comment!

[@gibby6904]

Return Of The Grievous Angel is his masterpiece......G.P. is also a classic record!

[@caroludart9907]

Absolutely agree

[@becauseingridsaidso]

omg thank you for bringing this back and in such respectful manner

[@joelgalvan8358]

Stones said gram partied too much.

[@effdonahue6595]

😆

[@andrewsmith3737]

Sweetheart of the Rodeo is one of all time favorites.

[@stugerson4727]

Psychedelic Country Music

[@andrewsmith3737]

@@stugerson4727 Byrds best album.

[@stugerson4727]

@Andrew Smith. The first time I heard "Sweetheart " in '70 I was TRIPPINGGG. Wow

[@andrewsmith3737]

@@stugerson4727 I had a lot of fun times on acid ,myself.

[@vernpascal1531]

Notorious Byrd Brothers and Younger Than Yesterday are as great.

[@amandaguest7742]

Very talented and handsome. So sad and tragic death ❤️

[@FantomWireBrian]

Sounds strange but he should've stayed with Keith and the Stones. Graham fit the Stones . I was never a Taylor fan and sad that him and Ronnie didn't join up at the same time. Being away from Keith ironically may have been away from your reckless big brother.Keith never had a brother and Graham and Bobby were as close as it got . RIP Graham , Bobby and Charlie 😔

[@tenbroeck1958]

He really fit the 1969 - 1974 Stones. Unfortunately, he was in France at Nelle Cote, staying with Keith and Anita. Mick Jagger was not happy with Gram and Keith being so tight and always being wasted.

[@jewelrymaker1607]

Bingo! Mick was afraid Gram would have the same effect on the Stones that he had with McGuinn and the Byrds.@@tenbroeck1958

[@lastcoyote2355]

As I go through all my albums , I seem to end up at either The Flying Burrito Brothers or just Gram Parsons. Some how as with all great artists the fire can never keep up with the spark.

[@branko4033]

As a Stones fanatic for more than 50 years now, I'm more than ever convinced: without GP, the Grevious Angel, the Stones would have been long forgotten by now. With or without Mick & Keith. What's more, Americana would have been a lot different, if not non-existent. RiP, GP, there are still lots of your loving fans.

[@DancinFool]

Well done. GP went to my alma mater for part of his HS. The Bolles School.

[@ronaldlongendyke3313]

Lots of incredibly cool pictures of Ingram that I've never seen before, I've been a huge fan since 1975. Thanks so much for posting!

[@williamwood2983]

It's a travesty that Gram isn't in the RnR Hall of fame!!!!!! Shame on you Hall!!!!!!!

[@ernestogasulla7763]

Gee, could it be because he wasn't a r'n'r musician?

[@crazycatlady68]

@@ernestogasulla7763 there are lots of musicians in there that arent "Rock and Roll musicians". Its more about musical excellence...although they seem to induct anyone and everyone in there now.

[@glitter-lk5dz]

Enjoyable voice of the narrator, a pleasant tone and professional. Thank you for producing this!

[@fancyme.alter1311]

I agree

[@margaretross9150]

Beautifully done. Many pictures I hadn't seen. Gram is someone who can make you sad and happy at the same time. Cosmic cowboy!

[@Alpha11]

Thank you!

[@DaveHom-rm5qs]

I think that he was ahead of his time and built a legacy based on the bands he played with and leaving a legacy through Emmylou who always plays a GP song in her set when she tours.

[@patsluder2699]

I will forever love you Gram!

[@felipeguedes2468]

R.I,P From Brazilian fan.

[@jamesryan5499]

Today is the 50th anniversary of Gram's passing...R.I.P.

[@dukeandusnewbeginnings6176]

Once again, tears. Glad to see you again. Sending prayers your way always! Much love! 🙏🙏👍👍❤️😆

[@Alpha11]

Thank you so much for the kind words!

[@peytonmarceaux8788]

@@Alpha11 held

[@tamarawalker8973]

Sad, short life.

[@philbrown1474]

Great video thx for this.

[@scottrgood]

Nice, looking forward to this update! You do the best coverage on these musicians.

[@thomasrobinson182]

He passed away, folks. Alcohol and drugs. Sadly.

[@realledbetter5015]

Damn this is so sad & tragic. I find myself weeping & wondering why these guys can’t stick around a little longer?

[@nicholaskearney678]

Great script and read, enjoyed it, great story shared. Thanks from N, in New Zealand.

[@Alpha11]

Thank you for watching and the nice comment!

[@MichaelBoltonsEntireCatalog]

Gram's long overdue for his credit with the mainstream. Without his influence, CSN and Eagles wouldn't have been successful as they were. I hate it when such great artists piss it away on drugs. Then there are drug people, which are essentially criminal minds.

[@robbyrose6904]

Their creative process is hand in hand with drugging often at the ultimate price sadly . We’re all immortal at that age nostalgically speaking.😊

[@blindmelonstubbly]

That was nowhere near a full and proper cremation they left what was left of his body which weighed 60 pounds out there in the desert so no they most certainly didn't scatter his ashes out there. So much for honouring their buddys last wish imo