Gram Parsons died 50 years ago today (Sept. 19, 1973) at the legendary Joshua Tree Inn. In addition to his terrific solo albums, Parsons recorded seminal songs with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Only 26 at the time of his death, he is widely credited for helping forge the fusion of classic rock and country music into what is commonly known as "Cosmic American Music."
I have attached my 2004 article on Parsons' legacy and his close ties with the California desert that I wrote as a freelance writer for another publication.