Gram Parsons: A Music Biography [Hardcover]

Sid Griffin (Author)

Product Details

• Hardcover: 189 pages
• Publisher: Sierra Records & Books (December 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0916003000
• ISBN-13: 978-0916003005
• Product Dimensions: 11.2 x 8.8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,706,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Gram: In His Own Words, and the Words Of His Friends, October 7, 2011

By 

Hannah Fowler - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Gram Parsons: A Music Biography (Hardcover)

The Gram Parsons story is as compelling as his haunting lyrics. He was an enigmatic visionary, a man who showed his truest feelings in song. Griffith's book contains interviews with the man himself, passionately promoting what he loved best: Country music. The interviews also provide insight into his outlook on life. His wry sense of humor, only hinted at in pictures, comes through loud and clear. He talks about his complex relationship with Chris Hillman, and the ups and downs they had together. It's clear that he cared about and respected Chris. So much has been written about him, and much has been made about his death and the bizarre body-napping and burial by fire at the Joshua Tree National Forest by Phil Kaufmann. While all of this truth is stranger than fiction, it lead reader's astray from Gram's central life focus. In terms of music, he was far ahead of his time. His legacy remains because he was a pioneer. Emmy Lou Harris, who is also interviewed in the book, kept Gram's vision alive when it was still obscure. Through the years, awareness of Gram's greatness has increased. Griffith, a musician in his own right, does Gram's music and vision the justice it deserves. It's approach is rather disjointed, telling Gram's story from the viewpoint of those who knew him doesn't read like a southern gothic novel. This writing style works amazingly well for a complex individual like Parsons. His influence has been far-reaching, and this biography explains why.