Remembering Gram Parsons: Honoring His Musical Legacy
Originally Published 2 years ago — by The New York Times
As the 50th anniversary of Gram Parsons's death approaches, it's time to shift the focus from the macabre details of his demise and celebrate his influential music instead. Parsons, a country-rock pioneer and former member of the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, left behind a legacy of two influential solo albums and a vision for a genre he called "cosmic American music." Despite his untimely death at the age of 26, Parsons's impact on country music is undeniable, and his songs like "Hickory Wind" and "Return of the Grievous Angel" continue to resonate with audiences. While the fascination with his death endures, it's his music that deserves recognition and appreciation.