Who Is Gram Parsons? Age, Biography and Wiki
Gram Parsons was born on November 5, 1946, and tragically passed away at a young age on September 19, 1973. He would have been 78 years old in 2025. Renowned for his profound influence on the genres of country rock and alternative country, Parsons is celebrated for merging rock music with country roots. Over the years, his legacy has continued to grow, with his innovative sound inspiring countless artists across various genres.
| Occupation | Country Singer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | November 5, 1946 |
| Age | 26 Years |
| Birth Place | Winter Haven, Florida, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Scorpio |
| Country | U.S |
| Date of death | 19 September, 1973 |
| Died Place | Joshua Tree, California, U.S. |
Popularity
Gram Parsons's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Standing at approximately 6 feet tall, Parsons possessed a lean physique that embodied the youthful spirit of rock and roll in the late 1960s and early 1970s. His weight fluctuated throughout his career, reflecting the lifestyle he lived while traveling and performing. While exact measurements may vary, his stylish presence contributed significantly to his iconic status in the music world.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Gram Parsons came from a family with deep roots in the South. His upbringing in Florida influenced much of his music. Throughout his life, he had several notable relationships. At the time of his untimely death, Parsons was romantically linked to actress and model Susan Saint James. Many speculate about the depth of their relationship, but owing to the era's privacy, specifics remain scarce.
He had one sibling, a sister named “Little Avis”. Connor II was a World War II flying ace, decorated with the Air Medal, who worked at his father-in-law's company and was a local Boy Scout official. Both parents were alcoholics and both suffered from depression; Cecil II shot himself on December 23, 1958.
Avis then married Robert Parsons, whose surname was adopted by Gram and his sister. Avis and Robert would have one child, Parsons’ half-sister Diane.
Net Worth and Salary
While it’s challenging to estimate the exact net worth of Gram Parsons due to his early death and the extensive timeline since then, it is believed that his estate has garnered significant value through music royalties, merchandise, and continued sales of his albums. By 2025, his estate could be worth millions, considering the resurgence of interest in his music and the ongoing tours of bands inspired by his sound.
Although Parsons was an equal contributor to the band, he was not regarded as a full member by the band's label, Columbia Records. Consequently, when the Byrds' recording contract was renewed on February 29, 1968, it was only original members Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman who signed it.
Parsons, like fellow new recruit Kevin Kelley, was hired as a sideman and received a salary from McGuinn and Hillman. In later years, this led Hillman to state, "Gram was hired. He was not a member of the Byrds, ever.
He was on salary; that was the only way we could get him to turn up." Parsons and Kelley were given equal billing alongside McGuinn and Hillman on the Sweetheart of the Rodeo album, and in press coverage.
Career, Business and Investments
Gram Parsons started his career in the mid-1960s with bands like The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. His unique blend of rock and country laid the groundwork for future genres, paving the way for artists like Emmylou Harris and later, bands during the “Americana” movement of the 1990s and 2000s. After his passing, various compilations of his music and posthumous albums have been released, contributing to his legacy and influence in the industry.
Parsons was not just a musician but also a visionary. His style and approach to music were revolutionary, leading to a shift in the music business that encouraged artists to explore genre-bending avenues.
In 1966, he and other musicians from the Boston folk scene formed a group called the International Submarine Band. In 1967, after briefly residing in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx, they moved to Los Angeles. Following several lineup changes, the band signed to Lee Hazlewood's LHI Records, where they spent late 1967 recording Safe at Home.
The album contains one of Parsons' best-known songs, "Luxury Liner", and an early version of "Do You Know How It Feels," which he revised later in his career. Safe at Home would remain unreleased until mid-1968, by which time the International Submarine Band had broken up.
Social Network
Although Gram Parsons' influence is unmistakable in the music industry, he was not active on social media platforms, as they did not exist during his lifetime. However, his legacy is preserved and celebrated on various online platforms and music streaming services, where fans share music, memories, and tributes.
Returning to Los Angeles, Parsons sought out Chris Hillman, and the two formed The Flying Burrito Brothers with bassist Chris Ethridge and pedal steel player Sneaky Pete Kleinow.
Their 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin marked the culmination of Parsons' post-1966 musical vision: a modernized variant of the Bakersfield sound that was popularized by Buck Owens amalgamated with strands of soul and psychedelic rock.
The band appeared on the album cover wearing Nudie suits emblazoned with hippie symbols, including marijuana, Tuinal, and Seconal-inspired patches.
Along with the Parsons-Hillman originals "Christine's Tune" and "Sin City" were versions of the soul music classics "The Dark End of the Street" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", the latter featuring David Crosby on high harmony.
The original songs were the result of a productive songwriting partnership between Parsons and Hillman, who were sharing a bachelor pad in the San Fernando Valley. The pronounced gospel-soul influence on this album likely evolved from the ecumenical tastes of bassist Chris Ethridge, who co-wrote "Hot Burrito No. 1/I'm Your Toy" and "Hot Burrito No.
2" with Parsons.
Education
Gram Parsons was educated at Harvard University, where he initially studied theology before dropping out to pursue music full-time. His time at Harvard was not just academically significant; it exposed him to diverse musical influences and helped shape the artist he would become.
Parsons developed strong musical interests early in life, particularly after seeing Elvis Presley perform in concert in Waycross, on February 22, 1956. Five years later, he was playing in rock and roll cover bands such as the Pacers and the Legends, headlining in Winter Haven/Polk County clubs owned by his stepfather.
By age 16, he had graduated to folk music, and in 1963 he teamed up with his first professional outfit, the Shilohs.
Heavily influenced by The Kingston Trio and The Journeymen, the band played hootenannies, coffee houses and high school auditoriums; as Parsons was still enrolled in prep school, he performed with the group only in select engagements.
Forays into New York City included a performance at Florida's exhibition in the 1964 New York World's Fair and regular appearances at the Café Rafio on Bleecker Street in Greenwich Village in the summer of 1964.
Although John Phillips (an acquaintance of Shiloh George Wrigley) arranged an exploratory meeting with Albert Grossman, the impresario balked at booking the group for a Christmas engagement at The Bitter End when he discovered that the Shilohs were high school students.
Following a recording session at the radio station of Bob Jones University, the group reached a creative impasse amid the emergence of folk rock and dissolved in the spring of 1965.
