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Yep...Gram Parsons took over the Byrds basically in the wake of Gene Clark leaving in 65 then David Crosby getting fired for being an absolute prick (by Chris Hillman and Roger McGuinn at his own house).

Gene Clark was the Byrds heart and soul...wrote the songs and everybody got pissed because he was getting $80,000 checks and they were getting $5000 checks. He was a tough ass Ozark grew up without running water or indoor utilities and wasn’t up for playing games with Cali boys. In around 1970 he almost choked David Geffen to death in a restaurant because of his doubledealing and that really cost him no matter how much talent he had.

Back to Gram-what an unusual legacy. Southern Gothic Fatalistic upbringing being born unto immense wealth but both parents had committed suicide or drank themselves to death before he graduated HS.

Discovered Emmylou Harris, recorded his two solo albums with Elvis‘s band, left the Byrds to hang out with Keith Richards, legendary run with flying burrito Brothers only to be kicked out because of his multiple polytoxin lifestyle, was way too wasted during the exile on Main Street sessions and was asked to leave by Keith Richards when Keith was at the Zenith of his heroin habit himself...tough ass road he made not unlike Townes.

Tell you what-that man had heart and didn’t care if his fusion of Country with Rock sold quick as he and people around him knew he was doing something significant. He was still alive while the Eagles got popular and really resented it calling them a ‘dry plastic f*ck’...hard to disagree if you ever really listen to gram.

Flying Burrito Brothers was one of several bands playing at my high school grad night and the only one I actually remember seeing. I was able to walk right up to the stage as they played. But there were too many distractions that night, I didn't give their music the attention it deserved.

Flying Burrito Brothers - Christine's Tune