Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons is a theatrical concert about the original cosmic cowboy, who lived fast, died young and left a charred corpse. The creative force behind some of the most important recordings of the late '60s and early '70s, Parsons pioneered country rock with The Byrds' Sweetheart of the Rodeo, schooled the Rolling Stones in American roots music, created The Flying Burrito Brothers and recorded two classic solo albums, GP and Grievous Angel, with his musical protégé, Emmylou Harris.
He never had a hit record and never became a star in his lifetime, but Parsons is today hailed the patron saint of alt-country and Americana. His influence is acknowledged by artists as disparate as Keith Richards, Elvis Costello, Steve Earle, Norah Jones, Beck, Tom Petty, Ryan Adams, Wilco, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakam, REM and the Black Crowes. In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked him #87 on their list of the 100 Most Influential Artists of All Time. Gram has been the subject of five biographies, four tribute albums and a documentary film, Fallen Angel.
Parsons was born into a southern gothic tragedy straight out of Tennessee Williams' his family owned 18,000 acres of Florida orange groves, and they had all the infidelity, addiction, self-destruction and insanity money could buy. His father, 'Coon Dog' Connor, committed suicide when Gram was 12 years old. His mother drank herself to death five years later. His stepfather, Bob Parsons, had Gram's younger sister, Avis, committed to a mental institution. She was later killed in a boat crash. Bob died of cirrhosis of the liver.
As for Gram, his extraordinary talent, great looks, charisma and heartbreaking voice ultimately took a back seat to a morbid compulsion to go out, like his hero, Hank Williams, in a haze of glory. On Sept. 19, 1973, in a cheap motel on the edge of the Mojave Desert. Parsons OD'd on morphine and tequila. He was 26. But in death, his tale took another bizarre turn when his road manager, Phil Kaufman, stole his body from Los Angeles airport, took it to the desert and burned it. A rock legend was born.
Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons, stars Anders Drerup and Kelly Prescott as Gram and Emmylou Harris. Featured musicians include Al Bragg, Chris Breitner, Pat McLaughlin and Tom Martel, with music by Gram Parsons, the Rolling Stones, Hank Williams, the Louvin Brothers, Chris Hillman, Chris Ethridge, Merle Haggard, Bob Dylan, Dan Penn, Elvis Presley, Ric Grech, Boudleaux-Bryant and Bob Buchanan.
Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons was inspired by Michael Bate's March 1973 interview with the doomed singer in Boston. It was Parsons' last recorded conversation. The theatrical concert is produced and directed by Michael Bate, written by Michael Bate with David McDonald.
Press
"One of the top five shows of the year."--Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette, Dec. 29, 2010.
"Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons is a triumph from its first moment to its last."
--Bernard Perusse, Montreal Gazette, Sept. 18, 2010.
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"One of the most pleasant evenings I spent in recent months was at Hugh’s Room for a show from Ottawa entitled Grievous Angel – The Legend of Gram Parsons."
--Dave Olds, WholeNote, Sept. 2010.
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"Anders Drerup is all down home charm as Parsons, telling his life story in between spot-on ballads, trying to be hopeful, but ever reaching for a nearby bottle."
-- Kevin Reid, The Visitorium blog, Sept. 29, 2010.
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Testimonials
For my 76th birthday my son and daughter took me to see Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons. I can’t rave enough about it. It is one of the best shows I have ever seen. I had never heard of Gram Parsons, but the story touched me and the “theatrical concert” format made it an intimate experience. The band and the performers were outstanding and the musicical numbers soared. I hope you return to Northern California, and if you do, I will be there.
--Virginia "Ginger" Dudley, Grass Valley, CA
...a fabulous show…I am still [thinking about] the quality, talent and tenderness of the production.
--Jennifer King, Seattle, WA
We saw the show at the Freight and Salvage Coffeehouse on October 14. What a great show - great musicians - they really bring it all back to life. If you have a chance to see this show don't miss it.
--Allison Becker, Berkeley, CA
I really enjoyed your show yesterday [at the Alberta Rose Theater]. Amazing players, one and all. Bonus gift with purchase: Pamela Des Barres in the audience! Thank you for a great show.
--Adrienne Shanafelt, Portland, OR
I have to say that I was thoroughly impressed with the show these folks put on recently at The Center for the Arts I had the pleasure of also doing sound for them and was simply knocked out of my seat at the way the story just took you straight into the mythos and magic of Gram Parsons’ life and music. I highly recommend catching them if they come to your area.
--Mikail Graham, Grass Valley, CA
"With Grievous Angel we [felt like] we were watching Gram Parsons, and even knowing his sad story, we weren't expecting the tears. We will see it again. We play the CD every day."
--Gerry and Kit Belisle, Barry’s Bay, ON
"Just spectacular. You know - the bar setting of the Black Sheep really works. A bit more intimate, helps connect Anders' story-telling with the audience. He's confiding a lot of stuff most people would never share beyond close friends, so the crowd feels the tension of the narrative and the great release of the songs. Emmylou just amplifies the effect. Great stuff."
--Scott Gibson, Ottawa.