Gram Parsons - 35 years Ago

Greg Simmons · Post by **Greg Simmons** » 19 Sep 2008 9:24 am

Sept. 19, 1973 Gram departed this existence.

Farther along we'll know all about it
Farther along we'll understand why
Cheer up, my brother live in the sunshine
We'll understand it all by and by

http://www.ebni.com/byrds/memgrp6.html

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 19 Sep 2008 9:46 am

About a decade ago, Laura and I were hiking around the rocks in Joshua Tree and we encountered a large rock with the words to Gram's songs chalked on it. I assumed that it was the "place" and it was a weird feeling.

Darren James · Post by **Darren James** » 19 Sep 2008 10:01 am

Thanks for that. I'd never read that story before.

Bill Hatcher · Post by **Bill Hatcher** » 19 Sep 2008 12:10 pm

What a waste! Drugs, alcohol, chicks. With some moderation, things might have been quite different for him.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 19 Sep 2008 2:07 pm

If there had been any moderation it wouldn't have been him. I'll have a toast to him while watching the Steel Guitar Summit tonight here in Philly. I'll try to keep the moderation in mind.

Mike Winter · Post by **Mike Winter** » 20 Sep 2008 8:14 am

You may be sweet and nice
But that won't keep you warm at night
'Cause I'm the one who showed you how
To do the things you're doing now

He may feel all your charms
He may hold you in his arms
But I'm the one who let you in
I was right beside you then

Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?

I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy

Once upon a time
You let me feel you deep inside
And nobody knew, nobody saw
Do you remember the way you cried?

I'm your toy, I'm your old boy
But I don't want no one but you to love me
No, I wouldn't lie
You know I'm not that kind of guy

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 21 Sep 2008 10:16 am

Such unrealized potential....

JB

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Sep 2008 1:38 pm

You can thank the great Keith Richards for that. Another one lost to drugs.

JB Arnold · Post by **JB Arnold** » 21 Sep 2008 5:18 pm

Gram was a professional at all levels of drug use way before he got involved with the Glimmer Twins. There's no one to blame for Gram's demise but himself. And maybe the folks around him who enabled his addictions, but it's pretty clear he was hell bent on self destruction, and was already way down that path when he started hanging with Richards.

JB

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Sep 2008 6:05 pm

Has anyone heard the story about selling your soul to the devil in order to achieve fame and fortune? Check it out, its an old story. Repeated over and over in the entertainment business. You see the Devil is this guy who wispers in your ear and lies to you, and tells you that he can satisfy all your carnal and greed desires, and sometimes he does. He has a fee. Then he comes to get paid. Get what you lose?

Chip Fossa · Post by **Chip Fossa** » 21 Sep 2008 8:37 pm

Yeah, at 61 now, I accept these things more readily, I suppose.

Loved the guy; and loved the drugs too.

It was there. I ain't gonna deny it.

But, as we all are realizing, some of us, too late, and others, not getting the message yet, drugs will not enhance your life, your playing, or any other expectations you might have.

There is no shortcut to musical or other artistic venues, through drugs.
I've certainly tried.

Works for a while. But eventually, leads to the "path-of-nowhere". Memory loss, for one. Personality change - "Who Are You, now"?

But, I can see why we all want to change our CONCIOUSNESS. It's almost essential, for creativity to flow.

We are not "UP" all the time. Having to work a mundane and boring job for eight to ten, maybe 12 hours a day - and now, you gotta get your butt to a band stage or recording studio - and then supposed to be in a creative/positive frame of mind - ?

How some of those cats did it back then? Amazing. Think about it. Not much on the highways for stop-overs and places to eat. Especially if you were heading into uncharted areas? No air-conditioning. Vehicles that were pretty much unreliable for long-distant treks, back then.

Anyway, drifting a bit here. But spare the guy. He gave us all some great music, direction, and no nonsense.

Let's celebrate this. I think he was absolutely brilliant; even with his shortcomings. BTW - we all have them.

Yeah, Gram - Rest In Peace

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 21 Sep 2008 9:42 pm

He did change music culture. He was great. Really a shame.

Dave O'Brien · Post by **Dave O'Brien** » 22 Sep 2008 5:47 am