Gram Parsons

USA, 1966–1973

American singer-songwriter (1946-1973). Through the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and two solo albums he invented what he called Cosmic American Music - country played with rock's audience in mind and soul's emotional directness. He died of an overdose at 26, and his road manager stole the body and burned it in the desert.

MusicRoots documents 4 artists who influenced Gram Parsons and 1 artist Gram Parsons influenced in turn. Every connection cites a published source.

Who influenced Gram Parsons?

• The Louvin Brothers — Parsons took the Louvins' songs into rock, several of them as duets with Emmylou Harris.
• George Jones — No single voice marked Parsons more than George Jones's.
• Merle Haggard — Parsons found country at Harvard by hearing Merle Haggard, and the conversational delivery he built from there is Haggard's.
• The Everly Brothers — The two-part harmony of the Flying Burrito Brothers is built on the Everly Brothers' blend.

Which artists did Gram Parsons influence?

• Emmylou Harris — Parsons heard her singing folk in a Washington bar, decided she could sing country, and put her next to him as a harmony voice - which is where she found what her voice was for.