April 2000 Back Issue
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April 2000 - Issue 7

Editor's Note

Ever Heard Of . . .
Obscure Band Feature:
Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera

Golden Nugget
How Much is it Worth?
Collectors feature:
The Poets & The Rolling Stones

Picture This . . .
Keith Richards & Gram Parsons Search Joshua Tree's Night Sky for UFOs

Lyrics, Quirks &
Questions
Test your Rock & Roll
knowledge and WIN!
Print Giveaway: Jimi Hendrix

New Classic Rock
Feature Band:
Nine Below Zero

Interview
Gerry McAvoy -  long-time Rory Gallagher bassist and currently with Nine Below Zero

Our Resident Hippy
Remembers . . .
Real life stories from
the 60s and 70s.
Subscriber Contribution
Thanks Donman!

CR Net Radio
Survey to help design
the music station

C

Elmer Gantry's Velvet Opera ... Ever heard of 'em?

Picture this... Keith Richards and Gram Parsons. A more disparate pair is hard to imagine. Keith, haggardly handsome, gracefully spent and as unyielding as they come. His raspy, gin-soaked vocals a combination of the dust blown pain of Hank Williams and a fuck-you attitude all his own. A very humble upbringing meant Richards had to punch and kick his way up the rock and roll ladder, his temperament as tempestuous as the music he fell in love with, and would later create, as a driving force of the Rolling Stones. 

Gram Parsons on the other hand, was the ultimate Southern gentleman, with a charming, polite manner and good looks complemented with baby-faced sex appeal. The family’s thriving citrus plantation meant a privileged upbringing for one Ingram Connor III (his surname changed to Parsons after his father committed suicide and his mother remarried Robert Ellis Parsons). Old money, and lots of it, his family’s net worth was estimated at 28 million dollars back in the early sixties. This allowed Gram a childhood far removed from that of Keith Richards’. Full of freedom and opportunity, Gram’s early years were filled with private schools, chauffeured cars, yachts and a music room full of instruments. While just a burgeoning teenage musician, his stepfather actually bought him a club to perform in. Initially, Parsons was smitten by Elvis when he saw him perform live in 1956. Further musical inspiration came from the duck-walking Chuck Berry, Richards himself a big fan of Berry’s. In the early sixties, Parson’s found himself gravitating towards the flourishing folk scene, but what remained a constant throughout was his passion for country music. Parsons flavored his brand of C&W with an electric spice and played it with rock and roll attitude. His voice, pained yet at ease, beautiful but hauntingly eerie, was the perfect match as he sang about souls in despair and loves lost. Many say that he was responsible for introducing country to rock long before it was categorized and christened, and indeed long before the fusion was acceptable within the mainstream. It can be argued that his brief stint with The Byrds and his brainchild, The Flying Burrito Brothers, saw the first popular union of the two genres and the birth of “country- rock”. However, it can safely be said that Gram Parsons was responsible for bringing country music to rock, and rock and roll attitude and glamour to country.  

What could these seemingly polar opposites possibly have in common? Well, neither much cared for the trendy thoughts and views of the flower power generation or the more bogus aspects of the 60s rock revolution. Both loved the music of the Southern US, and Richards and Parsons could identify with the carefree attitudes each other possessed. More importantly, Richards admired his uncanny ability to marry these two unlikely musical styles in such a way as to be distinct yet relevant to the current scene.

Parsons, many believed, could never really get over the fact that he was hanging out with Keith Richards, singing songs and living the good life under the fantastic sunshine and decadent environment of Los Angeles. Another thing they had in common? Neither one objected to getting completely sozzled as often as possible.

In the Victor Bockris’ biography, “Keith Richards - The Biography”, Keith recalls the pairs’ mutual tendency of avoiding any state even remotely similar to sobriety; “That was the other side of Gram. Did he like to get out of it or what? Which was suiting me just fine at the time. That was pretty much what I was doing. Gram was just as knowledgeable about chemical substances as I was when I met him. And he had very good taste. He went for top of the line. He could get better coke than the Mafia. I don’t think I taught him much about drugs; I was still learning myself, much to my detriment. I think we were both basically into the same thing. We liked drugs and we liked the finest quality.”

The two first met in London in the summer of 1968 while Parsons was a member of The Byrds and was to fly to South Africa for a scheduled Byrds concert in Johannesburg. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards took the band out to dinner and the two guitarists hit it off immediately with their fondness for the music of the Mississippi Delta and the Georgia swamplands. They were both mysteriously intrigued by one another; Richards by Parsons’ intimate knowledge of the US Deep South and its music; Parsons, awestruck by the Stones, admired the knowledge Keith had acquired about the Blues and the way the Stones wove it into their own style. Richards was also impressed with Parsons courteous Southern manner, seeing a lot of himself in Parsons.

Keith Richards recalled their first meeting, “He was intrigued by me and the band. Although the Stones came from England, Gram and I shared this instinctive affinity for the real American South. The reason Gram and I were together more than other musicians is because I really wanted to learn what Gram had to offer. Gram was special. If he was in a room everyone else became sweet. Anything Gram was involved in had a touch of magic to it. He taught me the mechanics of country music, the Nashville style as opposed to the Bakersfield style. Also, he got me playing piano. I like to write a lot on the piano as opposed to guitar. He started to turn me on to certain classic tracks and certain styles of playing things-George Jones, Merle Haggard, Jimmie Rodgers. We used to sit around at the piano for ages, trying to figure out little licks. But not all Country-that was the overwhelming impression, but also Blues; Robert Johnson.

After Parsons was informed by Keith that English bands didn’t play South Africa because of its apartheid policy, Gram informed the rest of the Byrds that he would not be joining them and gave notice of his decision to leave the group altogether. Keith Richards remembered, “He was a lovely, warm, down to earth guy. He didn’t know much about the situation in South Africa, so we explained it to him. It was quite an intense way to meet a guy.”

Parsons then moved into Keith’s home in the English countryside for the rest of the summer. The two explored each other’s musical passions and proceeded to get out of their heads on a variety of intoxicants almost daily. “He started to show me the difference between Nashville and Bakersfield”, remembered Keith, “we just used to hang around the piano and sing and get high.”

During the long, hazy days of that English summer, their kindred spirits gelled and a friendship was initiated that would prove to be key in both musicians’ lives.

When The Rolling Stones came to LA in October 1969 to work on the final remixing of “Let It Bleed”, Keith spent a lot of his time, both in and out of the studio, with Gram. The two footloose rockers hooked up at the infamous Chateau Marmont, where Gram was staying, and proceeded to spend much of their time boozing and snorting it up. A friend of Gram’s noted, “The Rolling Stones came into town, Gram went over to see them and never came back. He went over and degenerated into the quagmire of the Sunset Strip”.

During this period Gram, Keith and his girlfriend Anita Pallenberg made several trips to the desert outside Joshua Tree. Parsons introduced Richards to the sun ravaged beauty of the California desert, in particular the Joshua Tree National Monument and “Cap Rock”, a two-storey outcrop of quartz monzonite. This barren and desolate environment was a place of peace and calm in the often times turbulent life of Parsons. Feelings of serenity and mystical freedom were echoed by Richards immediately upon his introduction to the imposing natural monument.

Richards’ first trip to the desert happened one afternoon when a break in mixing gave the Stones the day off.  Upon arrival at the site, Richards was immediately enamored by its barren beauty and the paradox that such a vast area, so empty of life, was able to stir within him feelings of tranquility and peace. Viewing the arid landscape had an affect on Richards, and as the scorching sun continued to burn high in the sky that sweltering afternoon, they both vowed to return that very evening. Only, when they returned next, an assortment of chemical enhancers would give their nocturnal visit a spaced out twist as they decided they would search the desert skies for UFOs. 

Their evening trip back to the desert would require the packing of a most unusual picnic basket, the contents of which were thoughtfully gathered by Gram, Keith and Anita. Blankets would definitely be necessary as the cool desert evenings drove temperatures down to a fraction of their daytime highs. As they intended on spending the night, sandwiches were also prepared. High-powered binoculars were added to their basket, leaving lots of room for their non-traditional therapeutic remedies.

Keith recalled their first “trip” to the monument, “It seemed like an endless night, it took a thousand years but was over too quick. It was a great spot, and there was this sort of barber’s chair right on top of the rock where Timothy Leary used to sit. So we rustled up some mescaline, coke and peyote and tried to talk with the local Indians.”

The three took turns sitting in the “barbers chair”, staring up at the sky’s pitch-black canopy, brilliantly splattered with stars. They proceeded to spend the whole night huddled under blankets and exploring the night sky. The “picnic basket” was passed around and while the sandwiches went untouched, the pharmaceutical appetizers were quickly engorged. Oddly enough, not one UFO was spotted by the trio, but they did see the sunrise as their bodies and minds continued to reel from their all you can eat chemical smorgasbord. Anita Pallenberg recalled the experience, “We had binoculars, loads of blankets and a big stash of coke. That was our idea of looking for UFOs! Did we believe in UFOs? Well, it was part of the period. We were just looking for something”.

They returned to LA, where Keith went back to the studio to work on the final mix of the Parsons inspired “Country Honk”. Parsons meanwhile returned to the Chateau but continued making almost daily visits to the studio. When Gram wasn’t able to make it to the studios, Keith would drop by his room and drunken debauchery would ensue in quick order. During this time, the two continued to bond and even began to dress and act like one another. Groupie extraordinaire Pamela Des Barres, a fixture on the LA rock and party scene, recalled, “Gram’s so high all the time, I’ve been calling him Gram Richards. They’ve been turning into each other. He’d come out of the place holding hands with Keith and skipping along, with painted nails even!”

Ed’s Note-Keith would request the presence of his friend when he became a tax exile, and the two spent time together in Richards’ posh villa in France. Gram’s influence on Keith can be heard on anything from “Wild Horses” (which The Flying Burrito Brothers recorded before The Stones) and “Country Honk” to “Dead Flowers”, “Far Away Eyes” and “Sweet Virginia.”

The two continued their friendship up until Parsons’ death on September 19, 1973.

For Gram Parsons, the original space cowboy, the California desert and Cap Rock would play as big a part in his death as it did in his life. On September 21^st, three days after his death, two of his associates drove to Van Nuys airport in a hearse and persuaded an airline employee to release his body. They then drove out to the desert, doused his body in gasoline and set his body on fire. The ashes were then flown home to his family for burial in New Orleans. This seemingly bizarre ritual had long been requested by Gram, and although his two friends were charged for committing an indecent act to a body, they simply felt they were following the wishes of their deceased friend.

Long time Rory Gallagher bassist. Currently with Nine Below Zero.
NBZ is also featured in the "New Classic Rock" section of classicrockpage.com

classicrockpage.com had the pleasure of speaking with Gerry
to read the full interview click here.

The following story is a subscriber contribution from Donman.  He receives a classicrockpage.com t-shirt for his wonderful recollection. Thanks Donman!

If you've got a story you'd like to share, please send it along. If we use it in an upcoming issue,
we will send you a classicrockpage.com t-shirt!

I have a "little" memory I wanted to share with you that happened Friday, July 18, 1969 ~ Over 30 years ago! My brother Bob & I and four other friends left our small N.E. Ohio town & travelled northeast across the Canadian border to Toronto, Ontario. We were all pretty psyched-out; knowing we were about to see one of the big, new "Supergroups" of the day!! [a month later, we'd be at "Woodstock"; but that's another story.....]. With tickets in hand, we entered Toronto's "Varsity Stadium" a little late; as the opening act had already started. We were anxious to see & hear BLIND FAITH ~ all of us being Cream/Traffic fans. And, Delaney & Bonnie & Friends were the middle act. We'd heard of them, but were really there to see Eric, Stevie, Ginger & Rick!! Well, back to that "opening act" ~ we walked in & were TOTALLY blown away by this long-haired trio of "unknowns"; possibly some local Canadian "warm-up" band, we thought. [Yeah; right!] It was our 1st introduction to TASTE, w/ Rory Gallagher!!! [some "warm-up" band!!]. We couldn't believe the music this band was playing! Their small, yet fiery guitarist/singer was un-f---ing-believable!! All over the stage & playing guitar like we'd never heard before. [and, this was the late '60's; when we'd already heard alot of guitar-hero's].

~ don ~

The Grateful Dead Bid Farewell To The Haight continued

With The Dead's stature in the area firmly entrenched and their popularity outside California growing rapidly, they have decided it's time to move on. The group bid a fond farewell to the neighborhood yesterday afternoon, and they did it in true Dead fashion. Without official permission, they played a fast and furious four-song mini concert in the middle of Haight Street. All those lucky enough to witness the event, will soon not forget.

As the trucks part, the sea of eager youths begins to flow down the street, the musicians, in Moses-like fashion, leading their throngs of faithful followers to the park. A more fitting conclusion to the Dead's tenure in the Haight there could not be. As the sun's departing glow brings to an end what will undoubtedly be for many a most memorable occasion, a more scenic or appropriate finale could not have been written. For as the Dead bid adieu, the area will lose its most integral component, and with it, many seem to have come to the sad realization that this may just be, the end of the hippy dream.