Good take, and personal/journalistic history. For what it’s worth, I always thought Phil
Kaufman’s stunt was low-rent, and unbefitting a real friend, whatever Gram’s alleged wishes. Also off putting that he’s been living off the tale ever since. Unfortunate that he succumbed to Keith Richard’s disease, but seems like he was into things before hooking up with Keef. I don@5 think Stanley Bootb sees Richard’s as to blame, and he knew both men well. Just my nickel bag on the subject.
Why was it low-rent for Phil to have carried out his promise to Gram? A friend is a friend & commitments made to each other aren't taken lightly. I wasn't aware PK had continued to "live off" that tale, how could he have cashed in on such a morbid saga? Who the heck is Stanley Bootb & why does his his belief/disbelief that Richards contributed to his downfall matter to us?
Stanley Booth is from Waycross Georgia and Gram’s family lived in Waycross as well. Stanley’s book on The Rolling Stones 1969 tour of America is an excellent read. Stanley met GP on this tour and Gram shared some conversations with Booth.
That’s Stanley Booth and why his recollection is important
I wasn't a big fan of Gram or any of his work; having grown up in the south & certainly not identifying with country music or shooting smack, I just never explored his music at that time, preferring hard rock & anything that wouldn't remind me of rednecks, racism or morose music. That being said, after "getting into" his history, life & work as it was laid out in a couple of documentaries, I gained an appreciation for what he did & how he influenced other rock 'n roll greats that I did like & follow. I never realized he had such a sad life being the epitome of the proverbial "poor little rich boy" who has everything he needed or wanted except what he needed most, responsible loving parents. I simply cannot relate to the kind of soul-sickness that motivates some like Gram to write & live life, as sadly wretched as it may be.
Thanks for sharing this. Any friend of Grahams is a friend of mine. If you're into the Altamont Burritos set, here's a downloadable link: https://we.tl/t-pCO8TwxuUY
Never fails....listening to Gram and Amy brings me to almost weeping, that deep rising in my chest thru my throat up to the inside of my face and misty eyes. Fault line of the spirit for sure. Respect and gratitude to you, Greg.
Thanks for this informative piece. I can't remember how but about 3 decades ago I came across this Gram Parsons,found his style oddly engaging,because there was something 'odd' about him. Found his life story such as I read of it VERY WEIRD then let it all go. Today something reminded me of that young guy whose death started off The Burning Man Festival. No it didn't. That started years later. No connection. Hmmm. Sure. Anyway I looked for more info and found this. I do forage about in rabbit holes a bit and post COVID I'm recognizing a lot of things I never noticed before only in this young man's story (and he was talented) there is lots of SYMBOLISM and glad as I am that I know very little about it,it's there. His death may have been induced by drugs n'alcholol and of his own volition. But there is something doo doo doo Human Sacrifice about it. Actually I think he was blood sacrificed by the Cult whoever I don't wanna know. But he was born into money,probably into the cult so he accepted his fate. No where to run anyway. They get you one way or another
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that the picture of Phil, Gram, and Emmylou above was taken by Phil Borgeson (air personailty Scotty Benson) in front of the old KBPI-FM Denver studio on Morrison Road. He and I worked together in radio years ago and he gave me a print of the photo, which I shared to the internet years ago and now appears with every article on Gram. No one ever gives him credit for his photo. Thanks.
Good take, and personal/journalistic history. For what it’s worth, I always thought Phil
Kaufman’s stunt was low-rent, and unbefitting a real friend, whatever Gram’s alleged wishes. Also off putting that he’s been living off the tale ever since. Unfortunate that he succumbed to Keith Richard’s disease, but seems like he was into things before hooking up with Keef. I don@5 think Stanley Bootb sees Richard’s as to blame, and he knew both men well. Just my nickel bag on the subject.
Why was it low-rent for Phil to have carried out his promise to Gram? A friend is a friend & commitments made to each other aren't taken lightly. I wasn't aware PK had continued to "live off" that tale, how could he have cashed in on such a morbid saga? Who the heck is Stanley Bootb & why does his his belief/disbelief that Richards contributed to his downfall matter to us?
Stanley Booth is from Waycross Georgia and Gram’s family lived in Waycross as well. Stanley’s book on The Rolling Stones 1969 tour of America is an excellent read. Stanley met GP on this tour and Gram shared some conversations with Booth.
That’s Stanley Booth and why his recollection is important
Stanley Booth is the author of “The True Adventures of The Rolling Stones.” He was a close friend of Gram and Keith. Google him.
I wasn't a big fan of Gram or any of his work; having grown up in the south & certainly not identifying with country music or shooting smack, I just never explored his music at that time, preferring hard rock & anything that wouldn't remind me of rednecks, racism or morose music. That being said, after "getting into" his history, life & work as it was laid out in a couple of documentaries, I gained an appreciation for what he did & how he influenced other rock 'n roll greats that I did like & follow. I never realized he had such a sad life being the epitome of the proverbial "poor little rich boy" who has everything he needed or wanted except what he needed most, responsible loving parents. I simply cannot relate to the kind of soul-sickness that motivates some like Gram to write & live life, as sadly wretched as it may be.
Thanks for sharing this. Any friend of Grahams is a friend of mine. If you're into the Altamont Burritos set, here's a downloadable link: https://we.tl/t-pCO8TwxuUY
Thanks for the files
My pleasure.
That's Emmy not Amy (my daughter's name...)
Never fails....listening to Gram and Amy brings me to almost weeping, that deep rising in my chest thru my throat up to the inside of my face and misty eyes. Fault line of the spirit for sure. Respect and gratitude to you, Greg.
Great story beautifully told.
Thanks for this informative piece. I can't remember how but about 3 decades ago I came across this Gram Parsons,found his style oddly engaging,because there was something 'odd' about him. Found his life story such as I read of it VERY WEIRD then let it all go. Today something reminded me of that young guy whose death started off The Burning Man Festival. No it didn't. That started years later. No connection. Hmmm. Sure. Anyway I looked for more info and found this. I do forage about in rabbit holes a bit and post COVID I'm recognizing a lot of things I never noticed before only in this young man's story (and he was talented) there is lots of SYMBOLISM and glad as I am that I know very little about it,it's there. His death may have been induced by drugs n'alcholol and of his own volition. But there is something doo doo doo Human Sacrifice about it. Actually I think he was blood sacrificed by the Cult whoever I don't wanna know. But he was born into money,probably into the cult so he accepted his fate. No where to run anyway. They get you one way or another
Hi. I just wanted to let you know that the picture of Phil, Gram, and Emmylou above was taken by Phil Borgeson (air personailty Scotty Benson) in front of the old KBPI-FM Denver studio on Morrison Road. He and I worked together in radio years ago and he gave me a print of the photo, which I shared to the internet years ago and now appears with every article on Gram. No one ever gives him credit for his photo. Thanks.
I can't help imagining what might have been. Funny, I was digging into Wild Horses yesterday.
Do you have a piece on Tom Robbins? I think I'd have enjoyed meeting him.