Gram Parsons was born Ingram Cecil Connor III in Winter Haven, Florida in 1946. He joined The Byrds in 1966 and his work on their album 'Sweetheart of the Rodeo' helped shape what would become known as country rock. After leaving The Byrds, he formed the International Submarine Band with Chris Hillman.
His 1973 solo album 'Grievous Angel' included songs like 'Hickory Wind' and 'In My Hour of Darkness.' Parsons wrote with a direct, unadorned quality that felt both personal and rooted in older country traditions. His voice had a worn, plaintive tone that suited material about loss and longing.
Parsons struggled with addiction throughout his adult life. He died in 1973 at age 26. In the years since, his relatively small catalog has maintained a quiet influence on artists working between country and rock.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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