Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons (1946-1973) invented country rock and died before he could see it conquer the world. As a member of the Byrds, he steered them toward Nashville for Sweetheart of the Rodeo (1968), scandalizing both country and rock audiences. With the Flying Burrito Brothers, he created The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969), fusing honky-tonk heartbreak with psychedelic rock. His two solo albums — GP (1973) and Grievous Angel (1974, released posthumously) — featuring harmony vocals by the then-unknown Emmylou Harris, are among the most beautiful country-rock recordings ever made. He called his vision Cosmic American Music. His death from a morphine and alcohol overdose at 26, and the subsequent theft and burning of his body at Joshua Tree, became rock mythology. His influence runs through the Eagles, Wilco, Ryan Adams, and alt-country as a genre.