Forty-eight years ago tonight, park rangers at Joshua Tree National Monument - now a national park - noticed a huge fireball on the ridge at Cap Rock. Upon investigation, they found a flaming coffin and the partially burned remains of Gram Parsons, a 26 year old musician who would become a music legend. He had died two days earlier after being found unconscious in his room at the nearby Joshua Tree Inn following a day fueled by alcohol and drugs. His death was the just the beginning of a series of bizarre events ending with his burial in the Garden of Memories in Metairie, Louisiana.
 |
| Photo:jshyun/Flickr/Creative Commons License |
 |
| Parsons in 1973 |
In his brief fast and loose life as a musician Parsons imagined a new sound blending rock, country, R&B, and gospel. He called that sound "cosmic American music." If you listen to his seven years of work with The International Submarine Band, The Byrds, The Flying Burrito Brothers, and Emmylou Harris, you can hear that sound emerging.
And then there is Emmylou Harris. She loved him dearly. Here is In My Hour of Darkness, a song they wrote, here performed with harmony from Linda Ronstadt.
If you're still with me after all the music it's time for a funky, free-wheeling, nostalgic and most entertaining look at the cremation story by Iconic Corpse and brought to you by The Great Courses Plus. It's groovy. I have a feeling Parsons would enjoy it and I expect you will as well.
In a few hours, the pilgrims will trek to Cap Rock to pay their respects to Parsons as they have for decades. Rangers may close the area, but that won't make a difference. The faithful will be there.
For more on the Gram Parsons story read his comprehensive Wikipedia entry with many links to his discography as well as a direct link the the entry on his death.
Safe at home.
Sources
post title, opening line from Boulder to Birmingham, a tribute for Parsons written by Emmylou Harris and Bill Danoff
Photos and Illustrations:
Full Moon at Cap Rock, Nikhil's Domain
No comments:
Post a Comment