Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music
- ISBN-10
- 0747565775
- ISBN-13
- 9780747565772
- Series
- Twenty Thousand Roads
- Category
- Rock musicians
- Pages
- 559
- Language
- English
- Published
- 2008
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Author
- David N. Meyer
Description
Born to a wealthy Southern-Gothic family of alcoholics and suicides, Parsons possessed an outsized appetite for self-destruction and a singular genius for the American sound. He led the Byrds to create the first country-rock album, founded the acclaimed Flying Burrito Brothers, and taught the joys of American roots music to Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Emmylou Harris. His second solo album, Grievous Angel, remains a masterpiece of country soul. Before it was released, Parsons, aged 26, - brilliant, glamorous and doomed, died of a heroin overdose. Twenty Thousand Roads paints an unprecedented portrait of the man who brought together country music and rock and roll, dispelling the myths and telling a story even wilder than the mythology. Drawing on profound knowledge of the era's music and hundreds of interviews - many with friends, musical partners and lovers who have never spoken before - author David Meyer creates a compelling biography and a rich history of a crucial period in American style, drugs and rock music. Meticulously researched and masterfully told, Twenty Thousand Roads is a dazzling evocation of an artist, his music and his times.
Get the book
Other editions
-
- 2003
- 239 pages
- Paperback
- Univ of California Press
-
- 2003
- 252 pages
- Paperback
- Univ of California Press
Similar books
-
Justin Timberlake 'talking': Justin Timberlake in His Own Words
By Justin Timberlake, Susan BlackA compilation of the singer's thoughts offers his views on such topics as his solo career, Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, fame, 'NSYNC, and luck.
-
Go, Cat, Go!: The Life and Times of Carl Perkins, the King of Rockabilly
By Carl Perkins, David McGee“ I ain't got enough , Roy ! ” Carl answered , patting his thinning locks . “ You got enough ! " Orbison insisted . “ Shoot , man , what you got's dark . You got plenty of hair . You look great . ” Carl laughed at the idea of Roy ...
-
Golden Stone: The Untold Life and Mysterious Death of Brian Jones
By Laura Jackson... 196 , 201 Palmer , Carl , 205 Palmer , Robert , 185 Paramounts , the , 52 Parker , Charlie ' Bird ' , 9 Parker , Johnny , 40 Parlophone , 54 paternity suits / settlements , 111 , 122–3 Paterson , Ottilie , 33 Pates Grammar School ...
-
Golden Stone: The Untold Life and Mysterious Death of Brian Jones
By Laura JacksonGolden Stone: The Untold Life and Mysterious Death of Brian Jones
-
Bono: The Biography
By Laura JacksonDrawing on many sources, including those who have know and worked with Bono over the years, this book brings to light the many qualities of this remarkable man.
-
Queen and I: The Brian May Story
By Laura JacksonQueen and I: The Brian May Story
-
Paul Simon: The Biography
By Laura Jackson, LauraIn Paul Simon: the definitive biography bestselling writer Laura Jackson reveals the story behind this naturally intense man whose evocative lyrics have articulated the fears, dreams and everyday dilemmas of several generations.
-
Are You Ready?: Thin Lizzy: Album by Album
By Alan Byrne“Still In Love With You” appears, and brings with it Gary Moore's incandescent guitar solo, originally recorded the previous April. Neither Gorham nor Robbo felt the solo could be bettered and so the pair only contributed rhythm guitar ...
-
Nobody Likes You: Inside the Turbulent Life, Times and Music of Green Day
By Marc SpitzFew bands achieve Green Day's early success, and even fewer come back for an even more explosive second act. Highly respected rock journalist Marc Spitz has interviewed the band many times, and has won their respect.
-
Beck on a Backwards River
By Rob Jovanovic... To date this has been the only video totally directed by Hansen himself and , it has to be said , it's one of the best . Described by the director himself as ' a cross between McCabe and Mrs Miller and The Lawrence Welk Show ' .