Searching for Gram Parsons in Joshua Tree
Gram Parsons was a legendary star who is often credited as pioneering the country rock hybrid of music. He was also noted for living fast and dying. The story of his death and cremation in Joshua Tree National Park was made into a movie. This is the story of our search for Gram Parsons in Joshua Tree.
Our family has become huge Gram Parsons fans. During his short life he did not create a widely known body of music, but his influence on other musicians has been huge. Parsons played in the Byrds, the Flying Burrito Brothers and right before he died made two legendary albums which introduced Emmylou Harris. Parsons was also a major inspiration on the Rolling Stones who wrote Wild Horses for him to record.
On our recent visit to Nashville, the Country Music Hall of Fame had a special exhibit on Emmylou Harris. This included several Gram Parsons items. The main exhibit hall had Gram Parsons legendary suit made by Nudie Cohn. Nudie’s name is now used to promote one of Nashville’s many three story honk tonks we discuss in our article on the Nashville dining scene. Nudie created suits for Elvis, Johnny Cash, Bob Dylan, Elton John and many others. However, the Gram Parsons suit remains one of his most famous creations. You can read an article about it here.
Unfortunately, Gram Parsons was one of the members of the live fast die young club. Like many of the rock stars who died at the age of 27, Parsons had a major drug problem and he overdosed. He was actually a couple months shy of turning 27.
Gram Parsons died 46 years ago this week at the Joshua Tree Inn right outside the entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. You can still stay in room 8, the Gram Parsons Room.
We have not stayed at the Joshua Tree Inn, but a favorite place of our is right across the street, JT’s Country Kitchen. When we ate here in 2017 we noted the late Anthony Bourdain and Queens of the Stone Age lead Josh Homme had been here. JT’s was featured on Bourdain’s show and it turned out we sat in exactly the same seats that they had. Bourdain was another tragic figure that died too soon.
The legend of Gram Parson’s death really took off when his road manager stole Parson’s corpse from the morgue. He drove it to Cap Rock in Joshua Tree National Park and burned the body. This was what Parson’s said he wanted when he died. You can read the full story here. In 2003, this became the basis of the movie Grand Theft Parsons starring Johnny Knoxville.
Cap Rock, where Parson’s body was cremated, is well worth visiting just for an introduction to Joshua Tree National Park. It is about a 15-minute drive from the visitor center at the Joshua Tree entrance. It is a short one-mile loop where there are many signs introducing the native plants and geology of Joshua Tree.
We have done this walk twice in Joshua Tree. This includes the middle of summer when it was over 100 degrees outside. It is a flat hike that should take less than half an hour.
Many Gram Parson fans make a pilgrimage to Cap Rock but there is no official monument. In many cases, fans will create impromptu monuments at the site where it is claimed Parson’s body was burned. However, the park service quickly removes these memorials. We have a general idea where the location is supposed to be but have never seen any markings.
I think it is cool that Parsons funeral site remains so elusive. It adds to the mystique.
Joshua Tree is a wonderful place with all kinds of natural splendor. As we were leaving Cap Rock we had an eerie moment when a Gram Parsons song came on the radio on Outlaw Country. GRam Parsons was known for creating Cosmic American Music and this was truly a cosmic experience.
