Gram Parsons

The Profile

Gram Parsons (born Ingram Cecil Connor III, 1946–1973) was an American singer-songwriter who helped invent country rock and popularize what he called "Cosmic American Music." He worked with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and recorded the solo albums GP and Grievous Angel with Emmylou Harris.

Parsons is publicly credited as a pioneer of country-rock and the author of the term "Cosmic American Music." His solo albums GP (1973) and Grievous Angel (released posthumously in 1974) are widely cited as influential. He collaborated with Emmylou Harris; his ashes were scattered at Joshua Tree.

Two DeBaser reviews praise Gram Parsons as a founder of country-rock and the architect of "Cosmic American Music". They highlight his solo albums GP (1973) and Grievous Angel (posthumous 1974), and his work with Emmylou Harris. Parsons' early death and the scattering of his ashes at Joshua Tree are noted as part of his legend.