Hi Tim, love the video! I work at a hostel in Tampa, Florida named Gram's Place, inspired by and dedicated to Gram Parsons. The hostel is music themed and for all the Gram Parson's lovers, we would love to have you and share our admiration to Gram! See you all soon :)
Thanks for this story, growing up thru the late 60's and the 70's some of my favorite music was the country rock bands. Eagles, Poco, new riders of the purple sage, pure prairie League, the byrds, to name a few.
Interesting you mentioning Pure Prairie League cuz I just heard em on Sirius this morning. I think I hear that song more now than I did back in the day! Thanks for the comment and Cheers!
@@RockessentialTimAbsolutely 💯 🎉❤ Just thrilled to find your Channel Tim. Got to missing Graham and couldn't think of anything groovier then checking out his favorite places to hang. Great Video, pleased to subscribe. Can't wait to do some binging and catch up on some missed gems. Hugs 🫂
Thank you for creating and sharing this video. I am satisfied with why I felt an immediate connection when I heard Hickory Wind for the very first time, and listen to my dads vinyl collection
Wow !❤I’m blown away, a great one Tim to say the least.Thank you so much for the Awesome location tours. Luckily in this radio listening audience we had Jay Thomas as DJs and Wolfman Jack that played some awesome tunes. as young as I was, I was fan of Gram Parsons the Birds ,all those people that you mentioned. It was fun to look at my brothers album covers. I’m gonna have to listen to some of his tunes starting out with Farther along🎵This is a “hell of a “ volg for sure .❤😢😇👍🥀 🎤🎸🎵. 🐊
I hated country music, but one night on a college radio station, I heard Gram for the first time and became a fan. At least his style of country music. RIP cosmic american cowboy.
I’ve known Gram’s story for years, but it was wonderful to see you go through it again, and with all the scenes and places, wow! This world is a slightly better place for Gram having lived here. And, I hope his music will endure the test of time.
There is now a monument placed on the other side of Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park memorializing the spot where Phil Kaufman set Gram's spirit free. Not only is the spot verified by Kaufman, but also the Park ranger who found the remains. It was placed there on the 50th anniversary of the event.
I was there in April of this year and didn't see anything. Walked all around Cap Rock multiple times in the hopes of seeing anything Gram-related. Rangers must have removed everything.
Thank you Tim for an awesome tribute to Gram Parsons! I remember him and the Flying Burrito Brothers so long ago. I was 21 and just gave birth to my first child a daughter in July 1973. When I learned of his death in September of that year I was deeply saddened! I am into all kinds of music, mostly rock, I even attended Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969 while I was going into my senior year of high school. Can’t believe this came up in my feed so near the 50th anniversary of Gram’s death! Thanks again this was done so tastefully and with much respect to this underrated talent! Rest in Peace and Glory Gram Parsons!
Thank you for the cool post. Its not often that I meet a genuine Woodstock graduate! This was one of my fave vids to do. I fell in love with Joshua Tree many years ago and it was so great to go back and stay in room 8. Bucket list stuff.
@@RockessentialTim thank you for your kind reply! Yeah, all us Woodstock alumni are dinosaurs, more than half of us are prolly gone to our perfect place! I heard that the couple on the cover of the Woodstock album is no more! the couple just met shortly before the festival and married for 50+ years and the wife died of cancer about a year ago. She was a retired RN like myself and I followed their story. They visited Woodstock every year on the anniversary in August of each year til she fell ill. I really cut this story short but if you google the story of the cover of Woodstock you will find a complete story about the couple on the album cover, that is if you are interested Tim! I’m no expert, I’ve just lived long enough to know that the older I get, the more past oriented I am, and I realize that the good times were always good, even when they were bad when I was young! The sixties were the best time to grow up, I was so blessed to have lived back then! I listened to Gram and Emmylou sing Love Hurts all day today, so I guess I’m in a mood! Sorry for the rant! Much love and Peace Tim!✌️☮️🕊️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Yes, I have seen the story but thanks for bringing it up, its great. BTW: You are in good company. My wife is a recently retired RN OR Nurse. Life has been good.@@cathygiuliana9089
@@RockessentialTim wow Tim, you got a good there! We Nirse’s are a rare breed! With the crazy hours we work and the patient load, I can only say that we are of good moral character, hardworking, caring, compassionate, lunatics! Such a rewarding career! Tell your wife that I wish her and you all the best this this life has to offer and more! The Good Lord knows we earned it, my sister! Much love, peace, balance, and tranquility!❤️☮️✌🏻🕊️
@@RockessentialTim sorry Tim I meant to say you got a good girl there! We nurse’s etc. my three cats are on my lap and I can barely move never mind see! We just moved upstate New York from New Jersey on Thursday after 68 yrs. A way past Woodstock and cold as heck! Sorry again, my friend!🙏❤️✌🏻
Thanks so much for the Gram Parsons story, Tim. I think he's still underappreciated after all these years. Listening to his version of "Dark End of Street" kills me every time. Magic.
I find it amusing that Gram Parsons gets all the credit for starting country rock. Many others were doing it before Gram, most notably Michael Nesmith and Rick Nelson. Nesmith is dismissed because he was a Monkee, Nelson is dismissed because he had been a teen idol. In fact, Nesmith said the first country rock record he heard was "Hello Mary Lou", recorded by Nelson in 1961. Let's also not overlook the Everly Brothers, or the Lovin' Spoonful - what they were playing would be called Americana today, but back then it was just rock and roll.
Well done bio! No sugar coating yet captures his undeniable addition to American music. And it was through Gram that l was introduced to my favorite artist of all time-Emmylou Harris.
Happy 77th birthday, Gram, and Rest in Peace. 🕊 Thanks for another outstanding video, Tim. I really enjoyed it, and all of the other great videos on your channel!!
Loved Gram Parsons~Mr Nudie Suits, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the places he visited, especially ‘The Charlie’. I would love to visit Joshua Tree NP someday. Addiction is a familial disease, so sad he didn’t survive it. Thank you for this! 😊
I was born in 73 and am a huge fan of Emmy Lou Harris. She talks about recording with gram. This video is very interesting and deep. I’m now going to listen to all his music i can find.
Gram was awesome. While my pals in my youth were listening to rock, I was listening to everything. Remember being into the Outlaw Country back in the day. Listened over and over to Willie Nelson and Family Live. I began looking at band member's names and tracking down other albums they were on. Saw Chris Etheridge was on Flying Burrito Brothers Gilded Place of Sin lp. From there, discovered Gram Parsons who introduced me to Emmylou Harris, who led me to Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, etc. Etc. Quite a journey, believe if Gram survived he would have been huge in the late seventies, early eighties. A man ahead of his time.
Those who first heard his music late 60s & 70s, remember and know the impact it had on so very many collaborations. It would be difficult to put it into perspective, so we should just allow his music to speak, which is all he probably wanted in the first place.
Yes, his life is a haunting reminder of how easy it is to continuously indulge the flesh and refuse the help of others His impact is amazing He even studied theology and his music has undertones of sincere Gospel truths, like most country- Chris Hillman was probably one of his closest friends The album, Sweethearts… Songs like, Wheels Harmonies with Emmy Lou Repentance of sin and faith in the Savior- the only hope The mercy of the Lord is forever ~ Thanks for this tribute
Great video. How different the last 50 years in music would have been if Gram had not succumbed to drugs. Emmylou has been working tirelessly to keep his legacy alive.
Wow, Mark Holland was my neighbor and friend in Tampa, Florida. He taught me so much about GP, you added some tidbits that I did not know. Thank you 🎵🎶💙🌀🎵🎶🥀🥀🥀
That is amazing. I saw his film and he owned a Hostel there in Tampa? That is just so cool that you knew him. I've met a couple people since I put out the vid that know folks in Winter Haven that Gram played with or knew when he was in High School. Its what I love about putting together these vids. Thanks for sharing!
Tim you knocked it out of the park on this one. I knew the story of Gram Parsons but seeing the actual locations of his life events made it real. Have been a huge Emmylou Harris fan since the early 70s, what a voice. Well done my friend
I fell in love with Gram Parsons the first time I heard his voice as a young teenager. This was several years after he died. I still love his music today.
Tim, what a great tribute to Gram Parsons. An amazing life with so many stories around it. And he left us some absolutely beautiful songs as a bonus. Rest in peace, Gram. 🤘
It is rather unfathomable that this guy left the building 50 years ago, his music still sounds really fresh (to me at least). There were some real high points in shooting this vid, none more than spending the night alone in room 8 on a freezing cold desert night. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for this Tim..Glad you finally made it out to the desert..Awesome work you did..Im flying out in a couple weeks from here in WV....Wish we could have met up...Love the JT inn and Gram
I stayed there alone on a freezing cold night and I didn't notice anything odd. I have heard of claims about seeing Gram's image in the mirror. It is the only "original" piece to the room when he passed in it.
I’ve watched your Neil Young video too. Really great work. I just wanted to say thank you for the effort. It really grounds these legends and stories. Thanks again for the great work
I have to say, one of the things I love about making these vids is there is usually one or two people like yourself who see it and I get meet. Gram's family seemed like pretty interesting people in their own right so I can see how fascinating the storytelling must have been. Thanks so much for the message and keep rockin' that name!
Hi Tim.......I'm a huge Gram Parsons fan and discovered him way back in 1982. I knew very little about country music at the time, but when I heard the sweetness of his voice, I was immediately taken. At the time I found an old cassette tape that contained "Hickory Wind" and I loved it. I must have played it a thousand times. However, I can't seem to find this particular recording anywhere on itunes. It was performed LIVE with Emmy Lou Harris in what seems to be an outdoor concert. There's lots of talking and laughing in the background, and at one point you can hear the sound of a glass bottle being broken. I assume that this was a bottle of beer. It's a bit of a rowdy crowd - but peaceful nevertheless. They really added ambience to the recording and made the listener feel more a part of the experience. You can also tell that Gram and his band were appreciating their response. I wonder if you would know where I can get this particular recording. I'd really love to buy a copy somewhere. I truly believe that it's the best rendition of the song because it was live and his singing was more animated than the more dry interpretation that happens sometimes in recording studios. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I'd be thrilled if you would answer my question. Bye bye, Janice
Janice: I love your post and I wish I could help but I can't. The only thing I would say is there seems to be many live audio only vids on TH-cam that might have what you are looking for. For whatever its worth, I hope you are successful in your quest!
I agree that Hickory Wind may well have been some of his best music, and the harmony with Emmy Lou so good! I also admire his intelligence to make it to an ivy league school only to dive deeply in pursuit of his musical goals. Another like soul is Kris Kristofferson, Rhodes scholar and a bona fide intellectual. We were truly blessed by those two men.
Isn't this "live" recording of Hickory Wind you are referencing just the Grievous Angel (1974 album) version? It was made up in the studio to be a faux live track.
When the Stones and The Beatles do their country-inspired tunes, they really get it right. Act Naturally by the Beatles- a fantastic cover of the Buck Owens tune. Dear Doctor by the Stones..Country Honk, etc. are wonderful country-inspired tunes.
Thank you for the road trip. I always thought Gram Parsons was a great unconventional freethinking artist. His duet Love Hurts with Emmylou Harris remains one of my all time favorites. Their harmonizing was exquisite!! Another great video💖💯
I'm right there with you on this one. Love the Everly Brothers version, love the Nazareth version, but my favorite is the Gram/Emmylou version. Its what a male/female duet is all about.
Thanks for posting this great retrospective. GP was one of a kind and I really enjoyed his music. You left out his Georgia connection from his days in Waycross, GA. They have an annual music festival there in his honor.
Once I heard the Burritos I got hooked on the idea of playing pedal steel guitar. It took a while but thanks to an obsession with Gram and Sneaky Pete I eventually got around to it. That probably opened more musical performing and recording opportunities for me than any other instrument. The Byrds and Gram Parsons came along at a perfect time in my life and I'm grateful and happy about that. Side note...A good presentation of Gram and Chris getting their Nudie suits in Chris' recent memoir. Once again you've filled in some holes in my music history awareness, Tim. Thanks and don't stop!
@@RockessentialTim Thanks for your nice sentiment, Tim. Yes, as the afficionados say, "That sound" is an obsession and you've gotta be obsessed just to get beyond the point of giving up early. :) I was lucky...not too many pedal steel players around so I was called and played a lot. Good times. One other thing... I attended the now defunct Texas Steel Guitar Convention a number of years ago and Marty Stuart was a guest performer. Of course I knew the story of the Clarance White B-bender Tele and as the crew was taking Marty's stuff off stage I went to the guitar tech and sheepishly asked if I could just touch that famous instrument. He smiled and held it out to me!! I just touched the fretboard and marveled. Fun for me!
I LOVE GRAM PARSONS !!! I was only 4 years old. When he died , But the place where GRAM met Keith Richards ( the Peter Tork "Compound" ~ I believe I was conceived there . ) .
"The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band" was a great band to check out. I was born in 1952. So much great Music and Musicians in my life. Heros & Memories. Ofcourse, we didn't know their history & pains back then. Love and Sadness. Bitter Sweet. Thank You from Tim T.
Excellent tribute of the musical genius of Gram Parsons, his successes and unfortunate self destructive behavior. Parson's songs are on many of my Spotify playlists, and my favorite is one that may be the most ironic. From Grievous Angel, "In My Hour of Darkness" with the prophetic lyrics and haunting harmonies with Emmy Lou.
The Stones wrote it. They also wrote "Wild Horses" (Keith wrote most of it) and gave it to Gram as they couldn't release it as they were in tax exile in France. Both Keith Richards and Grams wife confirmed this. "Gram was ecstatic when Keith gave him that song because the Stones didn't do that". It's one of Rocks biggest fallacies and takes credit away from the authors.
I was at the Byrds' first concert in Johannesburg. We'd heard that Gram had pulled out, but went to the show anyway. When the music started, there was a guy on the left of stage playing rhythm guitar who turned out to be one of the roadies. The band went through the motions but you could tell that their hearts weren't in it....
I have always been haunted by this sad story of Gram Parsons life and death. GP and Grievous Angel are 2 of my most favorite albums, and his impact on Byrds, Burritos, and International Submarine Band are so noticeable, yet,,,,,, he was so self destructive. I don't get it. Thanks for the trip Tim. Very spot on and enjoyable.
Gene Clark the same, such a talent, the Hillbilly Shakespeare, but like Gram, had a penchant for substances, flaky etc "Fifteen miles to Memphis, I think that was the sign. I'll be driving through tomorrow just to lose a worried mind" 👌
He was truly one of the linkpins of popular music and therein lies his legacy. You prolly never heard him on the radio because they never played him. I don't think I've ever heard him on the radio... But the guy has such a great story!
Exactly what my teachers used to say when I showed up without my homework! Seriously though, that might be the coolest thing I've heard all month. Thank you!
Very well done biography, I was a big fan, and saw Gram in several of his bands. He was an icon, and many of us have never quite gotten over his early death. Apparently, that includes Emmylou, whose songs often make reference to him.
Thank you Tim for another memorable musical time capsule. Dying so young, such a shame. He most certainly was a musical influence on his contemporaries.
Never been there but always heard about the beauty of California. This series proves it - It's beautifully shot and captures California's great natural beauty. Informative too.
If you love the outdoors there are just so many beautiful places here. My family and I spend a week in the Sierra Nevada Mountains every June and there is just no place like it.
Gram was a beautiful soul. Don’t know if he was more damaged than most, but certainly the addictive gene was passed in to him. Not making excuses. It’s what makes his music so painfully beautiful. The story of his friends trying to remain loyal to that crazy vow to burn the body if the first who died is pure gold. No better place to attempt that than Joshua Tree. Parsons’ music is truly original. It’s like listening to angels when he plays and sings with Enmylou and Linda Ronstadt. And yeah Love Hurts by Gram and Emmylou will sky’s you if you hear at a particularly vulnerable moment. At other times it just breaks your heart.
Hi Tim. Great stuff that you do. My name is Tim. Peace and Best Regards. A combination of Great Musicians, Great Music, Great Times and Great Sadness, ultimately. I started playing drums in 1963, and still play. Such Memories. Thank You
Too much too soon can be deadly. Nothing gives you a wider perspective than working a low pay, low status, physically demanding job for at least some amount of time. I spread concrete in my twenties and everything after that was pretty padded. Amazing Keith Richards is still around. One tough SOB. I went down this rabbit hole after Randy Meisner died. That led me to some Eagles history that led me to Poco which led me to Gram and all those early connections. And like Young said ..........we're get 'in old. Thanks for the history lesson.
This is my new favorite channel!!! I watched the blind owl episode which was great and then on my feed I see my favorite alt country singer of all time THE Gram Parsons and I had to watch that! You did a great job showing his life and the dynamics of it. Not just the dark side of the booze and drugs but the light also like his talent as a musician and song writer and all around country bad ass! Thanks!
It's a total mis-carriage of justice that the man that made such beautiful music, introduced Emmy Lou Harris to a national audience, taught the Byrds and The Stones all about country music, and laid the foundations with his music for bands to follow like the Eagles, Poco, Jayhawks, Wilco, and Stone Pony, is not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Shame on ya'll.
I agree a 100 percent , the guy love roots music and he gave it a good twist , like Neil Young did to Lonesome Me And other country songs . He also gave the depth of country song writers credit for great country song writers.
I was at the Country Music Hall of Fame last February and they had a very nice exhibit on Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, Emmy Lou, Linda Ronstadt. It was very impressive and great to see some recognition by the hall for those who pushed the bounderies of Country music out west. Having said that, he belongs in the hall of fame.@@RockessentialTim
I absolutely love Gram Parsons. I know every word, to every song; and I love singing Gram’s and Emmylou’s harmonies. Emmylou’s album celebrating Gram’s songs with various artists is one of my go to, help me sleep albums. Terrible day, the day he died. Thank you for this post. PS : I love Sweetheart of the Rodeo. 😉
Great video! A huge fan of Gram and his replacement Clarence White. Some timeless and very influential musicians for many more that followed. Add in Don Rich and you have a lot of guitar influences for Country music for the next 50!
Thank you much. Side note: I used to know Buck Owens' former bassist Doyle Holly pretty well back in the day. He ended up being a tour bus driver and he drove my band around for a few weeks one summer. He had nothing but good things to say about Don Rich. Buck, not so much....
This is the one I was waiting for Tim, great stuff, I’ve been a huge fan of Gram (and Emmy) for longer than I care to admit, he didn’t quite make the 27 club but he had and still has a huge influence on rock and country music as you say. Grievous Angel is one of the great albums. Grams music can stir an emotion in people. Cheers Tim .
I actually filmed this late last year but have been sitting on it til now. I must say, it was a bucket list experience going out to Joshua Tree specifically to discover Gram. Loved ever second of it except the sub zero temps at night!
Excellent video! I named my oldest son after Gram. Back in 2009 I visited his childhood home in Winter Haven. At the time, you could still see where Gram and his sister, Avis, wrote their names in the cement walkway. Just a few miles down the road (on what is now the Legoland property) is the Snively estate - his grandfather’s home. Seeing that home gives you a real sense of just how wealthy his family was. His privileged upbringing was, in fact, his downfall. Such a tragic story.
OMG that would be so cool! I wondered what became of that place, I believe it used to be Busch Gardens? I don't know that his privileged upbringing was so much his downfall other than it made it easier for Gram to buy drugs. Rich or poor he was an addict and I agree with you, that was the real tragedy. Thanks for your completely awesome comment!
I rediscovered Gram when Emily Lou Harris did the tribute album, The Return of the Grievous Angel. A great album. I love his material. His spirit is on Exile on Main Street, or at least Keith’s drug use. Sweetheart of the Rodeo is a classic now. You brilliantly cover the life of Gram. It is sad that we lost such a major talent.
Personally, I discovered Gram through the Stones. I read a book about them and Gram kept popping up. In turn I discovered Emmylou through Gram. Funny how this whole music thing all works, right?
Title THE GRAM PARSONS TRIBUTE - SESSIONS AT WEST 54TH. I always watch it over & over. I learned all the songs. Imagine if we hadn’t lost Buddy Holly & Gram Parson at their height of ability.
Love hearing about the relationship between Gram and Keith, who I read was initially mad at the "grievous angel" for doing the same amount of morphine he did before cleaning up for awhile...should have taken smaller amount so as to not shock the system into overload, overdose. U can really hear Gram's influence in songs like Dead Flowers, Sweet Virginia and, of course, Wild Horses. RIP!
Learned about Gram Parsons from our then drummer in the early '70's, he knew about The Burrito Brothers, I knew about "Sweetheart at The Rodeo" by the Byrds and we were playing Country Rock in Montana then!! What fun that was!!
Hi Tim, love the video! I work at a hostel in Tampa, Florida named Gram's Place, inspired by and dedicated to Gram Parsons. The hostel is music themed and for all the Gram Parson's lovers, we would love to have you and share our admiration to Gram! See you all soon :)
Hello! Yes of course I've heard of you and I believe I am a member of your Facebook group. Would love to come down and visit next time I'm in Tampa!
Very cool
Thanks for this story, growing up thru the late 60's and the 70's some of my favorite music was the country rock bands. Eagles, Poco, new riders of the purple sage, pure prairie League, the byrds, to name a few.
Interesting you mentioning Pure Prairie League cuz I just heard em on Sirius this morning. I think I hear that song more now than I did back in the day! Thanks for the comment and Cheers!
Gram Parsons for the Country Music Hall of Fame!
AGREED!!!
@@RockessentialTimAbsolutely 💯 🎉❤
Just thrilled to find your Channel Tim. Got to missing Graham and couldn't think of anything groovier then checking out his favorite places to hang.
Great Video, pleased to subscribe. Can't wait to do some binging and catch up on some missed gems. Hugs 🫂
Absolutely
Never gonna happen
Wow, thank you. Great tidbits and anecdotes. Helps fill-in the story for me.
Right on, thanks for the cool comment!
Great episode. Thanks again Tim!
It was my pleasure. Gram was such an interesting dude.
Love him. Such a bummer
Totally.
Thank you for creating and sharing this video. I am satisfied with why I felt an immediate connection when I heard Hickory Wind for the very first time, and listen to my dads vinyl collection
I think if you want to define what American music is to anyone just play that song for em, right?
Wow !❤I’m blown away, a great one Tim to say the least.Thank you so much for the Awesome location tours. Luckily in this radio listening audience we had Jay Thomas as DJs and Wolfman Jack that played some awesome tunes. as young as I was, I was fan of Gram Parsons the Birds ,all those people that you mentioned. It was fun to look at my brothers album covers. I’m gonna have to listen to some of his tunes starting out with Farther along🎵This is a “hell of a “ volg for sure .❤😢😇👍🥀 🎤🎸🎵. 🐊
Thanks much!
I hated country music, but one night on a college radio station, I heard Gram for the first time and became a fan. At least his style of country music. RIP cosmic american cowboy.
Dwight Yoakem is good also, the only country star I can listen to.
Great travelogue as always Tim thanks.
What a really great episode. Addiction is terrible.
I've had to face the harsh reality that I am addicted---to Love! Hope you are good Nephew, have a great Labor Day.
I’ve known Gram’s story for years, but it was wonderful to see you go through it again, and with all the scenes and places, wow! This world is a slightly better place for Gram having lived here. And, I hope his music will endure the test of time.
I couldn't agree with you more!
There is now a monument placed on the other side of Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park memorializing the spot where Phil Kaufman set Gram's spirit free. Not only is the spot verified by Kaufman, but also the Park ranger who found the remains. It was placed there on the 50th anniversary of the event.
you can sleep in the room, he died in
I was there in April of this year and didn't see anything. Walked all around Cap Rock multiple times in the hopes of seeing anything Gram-related. Rangers must have removed everything.
Thank you Tim for an awesome tribute to Gram Parsons! I remember him and the Flying Burrito Brothers so long ago. I was 21 and just gave birth to my first child a daughter in July 1973. When I learned of his death in September of that year I was deeply saddened! I am into all kinds of music, mostly rock, I even attended Woodstock Music and Art Fair in 1969 while I was going into my senior year of high school. Can’t believe this came up in my feed so near the 50th anniversary of Gram’s death! Thanks again this was done so tastefully and with much respect to this underrated talent! Rest in Peace and Glory Gram Parsons!
Thank you for the cool post. Its not often that I meet a genuine Woodstock graduate! This was one of my fave vids to do. I fell in love with Joshua Tree many years ago and it was so great to go back and stay in room 8. Bucket list stuff.
@@RockessentialTim thank you for your kind reply! Yeah, all us Woodstock alumni are dinosaurs, more than half of us are prolly gone to our perfect place! I heard that the couple on the cover of the Woodstock album is no more! the couple just met shortly before the festival and married for 50+ years and the wife died of cancer about a year ago. She was a retired RN like myself and I followed their story. They visited Woodstock every year on the anniversary in August of each year til she fell ill. I really cut this story short but if you google the story of the cover of Woodstock you will find a complete story about the couple on the album cover, that is if you are interested Tim! I’m no expert, I’ve just lived long enough to know that the older I get, the more past oriented I am, and I realize that the good times were always good, even when they were bad when I was young! The sixties were the best time to grow up, I was so blessed to have lived back then! I listened to Gram and Emmylou sing Love Hurts all day today, so I guess I’m in a mood! Sorry for the rant! Much love and Peace Tim!✌️☮️🕊️🙏🏻❤️🙏🏻
Yes, I have seen the story but thanks for bringing it up, its great. BTW: You are in good company. My wife is a recently retired RN OR Nurse. Life has been good.@@cathygiuliana9089
@@RockessentialTim wow Tim, you got a good there! We Nirse’s are a
rare breed! With the crazy hours we work and the patient load, I can only say that we are of good moral character, hardworking, caring, compassionate, lunatics! Such a rewarding career! Tell your wife that I wish her and you all the best this this life has to offer and more! The Good Lord knows we earned it, my sister! Much love, peace, balance, and tranquility!❤️☮️✌🏻🕊️
@@RockessentialTim sorry Tim I meant to say you got a good girl there! We nurse’s etc. my three cats are on my lap and I can barely move never mind see! We just moved upstate New York from New Jersey on Thursday after 68 yrs. A way past Woodstock and cold as heck! Sorry again, my friend!🙏❤️✌🏻
Safe to say, Gram approves this message. ♥️
Love Gram Parsons. Listen to him everyday!
It seems like he's finally getting his due.
Thanks so much for the Gram Parsons story, Tim. I think he's still underappreciated after all these years. Listening to his version of "Dark End of Street" kills me every time. Magic.
Absolutely! I really love the James Carr version tool. What a grate song!
I find it amusing that Gram Parsons gets all the credit for starting country rock. Many others were doing it before Gram, most notably Michael Nesmith and Rick Nelson. Nesmith is dismissed because he was a Monkee, Nelson is dismissed because he had been a teen idol. In fact, Nesmith said the first country rock record he heard was "Hello Mary Lou", recorded by Nelson in 1961. Let's also not overlook the Everly Brothers, or the Lovin' Spoonful - what they were playing would be called Americana today, but back then it was just rock and roll.
Well done bio! No sugar coating yet captures his undeniable addition to American music. And it was through Gram that l was introduced to my favorite artist of all time-Emmylou Harris.
I love her too and am planning on doing a vid about her in the coming year.
I believe today would have been Gram's 77th birthday. Here's to ya, wherever you are!
Happy 77th birthday, Gram, and Rest in Peace. 🕊
Thanks for another outstanding video, Tim.
I really enjoyed it, and all of the other great videos on your channel!!
And this year makes 50 years since his most untimely death. Hard to believe. He wasn't here long but he sure enriched the music.
He’s seventy seven, wherever he is.
Huge influence! @@stregalilith
Loved Gram Parsons~Mr Nudie Suits, and thoroughly enjoyed seeing the places he visited, especially ‘The Charlie’. I would love to visit Joshua Tree NP someday. Addiction is a familial disease, so sad he didn’t survive it.
Thank you for this! 😊
Thank you for the cool comment. I'm so glad you liked it!
I was born in 73 and am a huge fan of Emmy Lou Harris. She talks about recording with gram. This video is very interesting and deep. I’m now going to listen to all his music i can find.
I enjoy tremendously, turning young people on to his and Emmylou's music. I'm 70 yo.
Right on!
Another great video... I love Gram's records... always have.
Gram was awesome. While my pals in my youth were listening to rock, I was listening to everything. Remember being into the Outlaw Country back in the day. Listened over and over to Willie Nelson and Family Live. I began looking at band member's names and tracking down other albums they were on. Saw Chris Etheridge was on Flying Burrito Brothers Gilded Place of Sin lp. From there, discovered Gram Parsons who introduced me to Emmylou Harris, who led me to Rodney Crowell, Guy Clark, Townes Van Zandt, etc. Etc. Quite a journey, believe if Gram survived he would have been huge in the late seventies, early eighties. A man ahead of his time.
Indeed.🌹
Wow, what a story. Just when you think you can't be amazed... Thank you for sharing.
It was an absolute blast to make, thanks!
Those who first heard his music late 60s & 70s, remember and know the impact it had on so very many collaborations. It would be difficult to put it into perspective, so we should just allow his music to speak, which is all he probably wanted in the first place.
Yes, his life is a haunting reminder of how easy it is to continuously indulge the flesh and refuse the help of others
His impact is amazing
He even studied theology and his music has undertones of sincere Gospel truths, like most country- Chris Hillman was probably one of his closest friends
The album, Sweethearts…
Songs like, Wheels
Harmonies with Emmy Lou
Repentance of sin and faith in the Savior- the only hope
The mercy of the Lord is forever ~
Thanks for this tribute
Yer welcome!
after reading 5 books on Gram, I still learned from this video! very well done
Best comment ever.
Thanks for posting this. Amazing life. I can’t believe his buddies burned his body. That’s so rock and roll. 🤟🔥🤟
You couldn't make this stuff up!
Great video. How different the last 50 years in music would have been if Gram had not succumbed to drugs. Emmylou has been working tirelessly to keep his legacy alive.
Yes she has
Thank ya kindly! ☺️ Love the porkpie hat too! 🎵
Yer Welcome!
Wow, Mark Holland was my neighbor and friend in Tampa, Florida. He taught me so much about GP, you added some tidbits that I did not know. Thank you 🎵🎶💙🌀🎵🎶🥀🥀🥀
That is amazing. I saw his film and he owned a Hostel there in Tampa? That is just so cool that you knew him. I've met a couple people since I put out the vid that know folks in Winter Haven that Gram played with or knew when he was in High School. Its what I love about putting together these vids. Thanks for sharing!
Tim you knocked it out of the park on this one. I knew the story of Gram Parsons but seeing the actual locations of his life events made it real. Have been a huge Emmylou Harris fan since the early 70s, what a voice. Well done my friend
Thanks man, it was my pleasure to film it.
I fell in love with Gram Parsons the first time I heard his voice as a young teenager. This was several years after he died. I still love his music today.
He has a timeless voice and I use "has" cuz its still as fresh today as it was 50 years ago.
Love Gram Parsons.❤
The absolute best!
Me too!
Gram the man..blew in and out so quickly you wonder..was he ever really here at all..? Hope you found that elusive peace in the end✌️
Really enjoyed this 🤠
Right on, thanks.
Tim, what a great tribute to Gram Parsons. An amazing life with so many stories around it. And he left us some absolutely beautiful songs as a bonus. Rest in peace, Gram. 🤘
Right on, thanks!
It is rather unfathomable that this guy left the building 50 years ago, his music still sounds really fresh (to me at least). There were some real high points in shooting this vid, none more than spending the night alone in room 8 on a freezing cold desert night. Hope you enjoy it!
Thanks for this Tim..Glad you finally made it out to the desert..Awesome work you did..Im flying out in a couple weeks from here in WV....Wish we could have met up...Love the JT inn and Gram
@@stargroves14 It was an experience I will never forget. Awesome.
Is the room really haunted?
I stayed there alone on a freezing cold night and I didn't notice anything odd. I have heard of claims about seeing Gram's image in the mirror. It is the only "original" piece to the room when he passed in it.
What "building"?
I’ve watched your Neil Young video too. Really great work. I just wanted to say thank you for the effort. It really grounds these legends and stories. Thanks again for the great work
Right on cuz I love making them! Thanks my man
Wow! So well, done thank you so much!! Gram... long gone, but not forgotten... ever!
Thanks much!
Stayed in Room 8 and it was incredibly peaceful!
It was a bucket list event for me. Love that place!
Died way to early but thank god I found his music when I did, back in 1980. It’s never to late or early to give a listen to this great musician!
Right on!
Thanks for sharing, this was a great history of Gram. My dad was good friends with Bob Parsons and Avis Snively and had many stories about Gram.
I have to say, one of the things I love about making these vids is there is usually one or two people like yourself who see it and I get meet. Gram's family seemed like pretty interesting people in their own right so I can see how fascinating the storytelling must have been. Thanks so much for the message and keep rockin' that name!
Too Cool!@@RockessentialTim
Gram was my 3rd cousin
Hi Tim.......I'm a huge Gram Parsons fan and discovered him way back in 1982. I knew very little about country music at the time, but when I heard the sweetness of his voice, I was immediately taken. At the time I found an old cassette tape that contained "Hickory Wind" and I loved it. I must have played it a thousand times. However, I can't seem to find this particular recording anywhere on itunes. It was performed LIVE with Emmy Lou Harris in what seems to be an outdoor concert. There's lots of talking and laughing in the background, and at one point you can hear the sound of a glass bottle being broken. I assume that this was a bottle of beer. It's a bit of a rowdy crowd - but peaceful nevertheless. They really added ambience to the recording and made the listener feel more a part of the experience. You can also tell that Gram and his band were appreciating their response. I wonder if you would know where I can get this particular recording. I'd really love to buy a copy somewhere. I truly believe that it's the best rendition of the song because it was live and his singing was more animated than the more dry interpretation that happens sometimes in recording studios. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I'd be thrilled if you would answer my question. Bye bye, Janice
Janice: I love your post and I wish I could help but I can't. The only thing I would say is there seems to be many live audio only vids on TH-cam that might have what you are looking for. For whatever its worth, I hope you are successful in your quest!
I agree that Hickory Wind may well have been some of his best music, and the harmony with Emmy Lou so good! I also admire his intelligence to make it to an ivy league school only to dive deeply in pursuit of his musical goals. Another like soul is Kris Kristofferson, Rhodes scholar and a bona fide intellectual. We were truly blessed by those two men.
Isn't this "live" recording of Hickory Wind you are referencing just the Grievous Angel (1974 album) version? It was made up in the studio to be a faux live track.
Love from London. Thank you
Right on, thanks!
Thanks. I love Hickory Wind.
When the Stones and The Beatles do their country-inspired tunes, they really get it right. Act Naturally by the Beatles- a fantastic cover of the Buck Owens tune. Dear Doctor by the Stones..Country Honk, etc. are wonderful country-inspired tunes.
Love the video!! Gram Parsons is a legend! Can't believe that has been 50 years since... He will shine forever 🤍✨️✨️
Well said!
GP in my heart, forever
Thank you for the road trip. I always thought Gram Parsons was a great unconventional freethinking artist. His duet Love Hurts with Emmylou Harris remains one of my all time favorites. Their harmonizing was exquisite!! Another great video💖💯
I'm right there with you on this one. Love the Everly Brothers version, love the Nazareth version, but my favorite is the Gram/Emmylou version. Its what a male/female duet is all about.
Thanks Tim fantastic...
Thanks for posting this great retrospective. GP was one of a kind and I really enjoyed his music. You left out his Georgia connection from his days in Waycross, GA. They have an annual music festival there in his honor.
Another great video. Thank you! Gram Parsons...what a legend.
Thanks. Was an exceptionally fun vid to make!
What a legend indeed.
Tim amazing tour! Love Gram Parsons!!!!! Kiss the Children!!!Hope your well brother!
Thanks! You too!
Once I heard the Burritos I got hooked on the idea of playing pedal steel guitar. It took a while but thanks to an obsession with Gram and Sneaky Pete I eventually got around to it. That probably opened more musical performing and recording opportunities for me than any other instrument. The Byrds and Gram Parsons came along at a perfect time in my life and I'm grateful and happy about that. Side note...A good presentation of Gram and Chris getting their Nudie suits in Chris' recent memoir. Once again you've filled in some holes in my music history awareness, Tim. Thanks and don't stop!
Thanks, Cliff. I've heard you play and I'm amazed. I can handle simple stuff on a lap, but pedal steel? You gotta be obsessed to play that thing!
@@RockessentialTim
Thanks for your nice sentiment, Tim. Yes, as the afficionados say, "That sound" is an obsession and you've gotta be obsessed just to get beyond the point of giving up early. :) I was lucky...not too many pedal steel players around so I was called and played a lot. Good times. One other thing... I attended the now defunct Texas Steel Guitar Convention a number of years ago and Marty Stuart was a guest performer. Of course I knew the story of the Clarance White B-bender Tele and as the crew was taking Marty's stuff off stage I went to the guitar tech and sheepishly asked if I could just touch that famous instrument. He smiled and held it out to me!! I just touched the fretboard and marveled. Fun for me!
What a great story! @@Cliffswanson
I LOVE GRAM PARSONS !!! I was only 4 years old. When he died , But the place where GRAM met Keith Richards ( the Peter Tork "Compound" ~ I believe I was conceived there . ) .
Now that is truly the most rock n roll story I've heard all year!
Wow
"The West Coast Pop Art Experimental Band" was a great band to check out.
I was born in 1952. So much great Music and Musicians in my life. Heros & Memories. Ofcourse, we didn't know their history & pains back then. Love and Sadness.
Bitter Sweet. Thank You from Tim T.
Yer welcome from Tim P.
Excellent tribute of the musical genius of Gram Parsons, his successes and unfortunate self destructive behavior. Parson's songs are on many of my Spotify playlists, and my favorite is one that may be the most ironic. From Grievous Angel, "In My Hour of Darkness" with the prophetic lyrics and haunting harmonies with Emmy Lou.
I couldn't agree more.
that is an amazing song!
I remember hitchhiking to Griffith Park and seeing the Flying Burrito Brothers perform in the ‘70’s when hitchhiking was safe!🙂
Different times for sure🙂
Dead Flowers is a straight up Gram song
The Stones wrote it. They also wrote "Wild Horses" (Keith wrote most of it) and gave it to Gram as they couldn't release it as they were in tax exile in France. Both Keith Richards and Grams wife confirmed this. "Gram was ecstatic when Keith gave him that song because the Stones didn't do that". It's one of Rocks biggest fallacies and takes credit away from the authors.
I was at the Byrds' first concert in Johannesburg. We'd heard that Gram had pulled out, but went to the show anyway. When the music started, there was a guy on the left of stage playing rhythm guitar who turned out to be one of the roadies. The band went through the motions but you could tell that their hearts weren't in it....
I had never heard that story. Awesome!
Writing from Winter Haven, FL right now, have been to Derry Downs many times, His memory lives on here in Polk Co.
Great post. ❤
I have always been haunted by this sad story of Gram Parsons life and death. GP and Grievous Angel are 2 of my most favorite albums, and his impact on Byrds, Burritos, and International Submarine Band are so noticeable, yet,,,,,, he was so self destructive.
I don't get it. Thanks for the trip Tim. Very spot on and enjoyable.
I couldn't agree with you more.
Gene Clark the same, such a talent, the Hillbilly Shakespeare, but like Gram, had a penchant for substances, flaky etc
"Fifteen miles to Memphis, I think that was the sign. I'll be driving through tomorrow just to lose a worried mind" 👌
Very cool look at Graham and his music. I knew a little about him but now I definitely know a lot more. Looking for more of his music on the internet
There's no one else like him!
always heard the name and probably heard music on radio but never put much effort to know more. This is intriguing stuff!
He was truly one of the linkpins of popular music and therein lies his legacy. You prolly never heard him on the radio because they never played him. I don't think I've ever heard him on the radio... But the guy has such a great story!
You are an incredibly good storyteller.
Exactly what my teachers used to say when I showed up without my homework!
Seriously though, that might be the coolest thing I've heard all month. Thank you!
Thank you for driving out there to the Joshua Tree inn
I always wanted to but it was too far for my cars to go
A most enjoyable watch. Thank you.
Thanks much!
What a legend. Love his music.
No one else even nearly like him!
Thank you for this. I love Gram
Right on, thanks.
Very well done biography, I was a big fan, and saw Gram in several of his bands. He was an icon, and many of us have never quite gotten over his early death. Apparently, that includes Emmylou, whose songs often make reference to him.
And she has that perfect, aching voice for it.
Exactly!@@RockessentialTim
well put together, a great watch. Been a fan since Grievous Angel was originally released.
Thank you Tim for another memorable musical time capsule.
Dying so young, such a shame.
He most certainly was a musical influence on his contemporaries.
He missed the imfamous "27" club by about 6 weeks. As with all these young people that go, its such a terrible waste.
So sad.@@RockessentialTim
I've stayed in that room! Love Gram!
Staying in room 8 was a total Bucket-list thang. There's a long waiting list but it was totally worth it.
Never been there but always heard about the beauty of California. This series proves it - It's beautifully shot and captures California's great natural beauty. Informative too.
If you love the outdoors there are just so many beautiful places here. My family and I spend a week in the Sierra Nevada Mountains every June and there is just no place like it.
Gram was a beautiful soul. Don’t know if he was more damaged than most, but certainly the addictive gene was passed in to him. Not making excuses. It’s what makes his music so painfully beautiful. The story of his friends trying to remain loyal to that crazy vow to burn the body if the first who died is pure gold. No better place to attempt that than Joshua Tree. Parsons’ music is truly original. It’s like listening to angels when he plays and sings with Enmylou and Linda Ronstadt. And yeah Love Hurts by Gram and Emmylou will sky’s you if you hear at a particularly vulnerable moment. At other times it just breaks your heart.
I meant slay not sky’s!
Beautifully said.
Hi Tim. Great stuff that you do. My name is Tim.
Peace and Best Regards.
A combination of Great Musicians, Great Music, Great Times and Great Sadness, ultimately. I started playing drums in 1963, and still play. Such Memories.
Thank You
This was just sensational.
School mate of Gram’s at The Bolles School. He was a senior when I was sophomore, so not friends, but we both boarded and his room was on my hall.
So cool! Did you have any idea then that he would go on to become a renowned artist?
Thanks so mucho. Fascinating 🤨.. great pace and delivery 🚚
Many thanks!
Too much too soon can be deadly. Nothing gives you a wider perspective than working a low pay, low status, physically demanding job for at least some amount of time. I spread concrete in my twenties and everything after that was pretty padded. Amazing Keith Richards is still around. One tough SOB. I went down this rabbit hole after Randy Meisner died. That led me to some Eagles history that led me to Poco which led me to Gram and all those early connections. And like Young said ..........we're get 'in old. Thanks for the history lesson.
As you say, its all about perspective.
"We're get 'in old" but Gram Parsons will be forever young.
Excellent video as always, Gram is a fav of mine and i too enjoyed Cap rock and the inn!
Thanks for all you do Tim, and shout out the camera woman :)
Made my day!
This is my new favorite channel!!! I watched the blind owl episode which was great and then on my feed I see my favorite alt country singer of all time THE Gram Parsons and I had to watch that! You did a great job showing his life and the dynamics of it. Not just the dark side of the booze and drugs but the light also like his talent as a musician and song writer and all around country bad ass! Thanks!
Thanks. Filming Gram's vid was so much fun. Trust me when I tell you spending the night in room 8 was a complete thrill.
Thank you, for these gems💫
Loved making this one. Gram led a very, very interesting albeit short life.
It's a total mis-carriage of justice that the man that made such beautiful music, introduced Emmy Lou Harris to a national audience, taught the Byrds and The Stones all about country music, and laid the foundations with his music for bands to follow like the Eagles, Poco, Jayhawks, Wilco, and Stone Pony, is not in the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame. Shame on ya'll.
Not to mention the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Its been 50 years so maybe in another 50?
@RockessentialTim Let's hope so. I'd like to see him in both before I die.
I agree a 100 percent , the guy love roots music and he gave it a good twist , like Neil Young did to Lonesome Me And other country songs . He also gave the depth of country song writers credit for great country song writers.
I was at the Country Music Hall of Fame last February and they had a very nice exhibit on Gram Parsons, Chris Hillman, Emmy Lou, Linda Ronstadt. It was very impressive and great to see some recognition by the hall for those who pushed the bounderies of Country music out west. Having said that, he belongs in the hall of fame.@@RockessentialTim
I did not know that. Thanks for sharing, Jeff!@@jeffreystults2659
I absolutely love Gram Parsons. I know every word, to every song; and I love singing Gram’s and Emmylou’s harmonies. Emmylou’s album celebrating Gram’s songs with various artists is one of my go to, help me sleep albums. Terrible day, the day he died. Thank you for this post. PS : I love Sweetheart of the Rodeo. 😉
Beautifully said!
Great video! A huge fan of Gram and his replacement Clarence White. Some timeless and very influential musicians for many more that followed. Add in Don Rich and you have a lot of guitar influences for Country music for the next 50!
Thank you much. Side note: I used to know Buck Owens' former bassist Doyle Holly pretty well back in the day. He ended up being a tour bus driver and he drove my band around for a few weeks one summer. He had nothing but good things to say about Don Rich. Buck, not so much....
@@RockessentialTim awe man was Buck to much of a task master?
Watching this in you guessed it room #8.
Awesome! There is only one place like it in the world and you be in it. Another bucket list completed
This is the one I was waiting for Tim, great stuff, I’ve been a huge fan of Gram (and Emmy) for longer than I care to admit, he didn’t quite make the 27 club but he had and still has a huge influence on rock and country music as you say. Grievous Angel is one of the great albums. Grams music can stir an emotion in people. Cheers Tim .
I actually filmed this late last year but have been sitting on it til now. I must say, it was a bucket list experience going out to Joshua Tree specifically to discover Gram. Loved ever second of it except the sub zero temps at night!
Excellent video! I named my oldest son after Gram. Back in 2009 I visited his childhood home in Winter Haven. At the time, you could still see where Gram and his sister, Avis, wrote their names in the cement walkway. Just a few miles down the road (on what is now the Legoland property) is the Snively estate - his grandfather’s home. Seeing that home gives you a real sense of just how wealthy his family was. His privileged upbringing was, in fact, his downfall. Such a tragic story.
OMG that would be so cool! I wondered what became of that place, I believe it used to be Busch Gardens? I don't know that his privileged upbringing was so much his downfall other than it made it easier for Gram to buy drugs. Rich or poor he was an addict and I agree with you, that was the real tragedy. Thanks for your completely awesome comment!
@@RockessentialTim Actually it was Cypress Gardens before it became Legoland. His grandfather was one of the owners.
Got ya. I've never been down that way and the locations get a might confusing. @@margaretross9150
my dad did the same. I started my own band a month ago so I have some big shoes to fill with a name like this :)
So much history in LA gone.
I rediscovered Gram when Emily Lou Harris did the tribute album, The Return of the Grievous Angel. A great album. I love his material. His spirit is on Exile on Main Street, or at least Keith’s drug use.
Sweetheart of the Rodeo is a classic now.
You brilliantly cover the life of Gram. It is sad that we lost such a major talent.
Personally, I discovered Gram through the Stones. I read a book about them and Gram kept popping up. In turn I discovered Emmylou through Gram. Funny how this whole music thing all works, right?
th-cam.com/video/SZKJM5nje3o/w-d-xo.htmlsi=WHGgXJDYnpdLzeDj
Title THE GRAM PARSONS TRIBUTE - SESSIONS AT WEST 54TH. I always watch it over & over. I learned all the songs. Imagine if we hadn’t lost Buddy Holly & Gram Parson at their height of ability.
These two are the same age as my parents.
There's no reason they all should not still be alive
@@RockessentialTimwhich book?
Very informative & well done...Gram would’ve approved!!
🇨🇦
Outstanding Video.
I never understood what
happened with his body,
thanx for clearing it up
for me! 💜💜💜
Thank you!
Welcome!
Love hearing about the relationship between Gram and Keith, who I read was initially mad at the "grievous angel" for doing the same amount of morphine he did before cleaning up for awhile...should have taken smaller amount so as to not shock the system into overload, overdose. U can really hear Gram's influence in songs like Dead Flowers, Sweet Virginia and, of course, Wild Horses. RIP!
Learned about Gram Parsons from our then drummer in the early '70's, he knew about The Burrito Brothers, I knew about "Sweetheart at The Rodeo" by the Byrds and we were playing Country Rock in Montana then!! What fun that was!!
Another great video. Thanks. Love the details about the Keith Richards/ Parsons relationship.
fantastic. enjoyed very much and well done sir.
Right on, thanks!