Description
WILD HORSES. GRAM PARSONS (1968 - 1973)
Book Summary
This work is the first oral biography published in Spanish about Gram Parsons, a key figure in the creation of country rock. The author, Jordi Pujol Nadal, has spent years collecting testimonies from those who knew the musician, from his inner circle to artists like Emmylou Harris and Sid Griffin. The book focuses on Parsons' period of greatest creativity, between 1968 and 1973, and offers a multifaceted view of his legacy, debunking myths and providing a documented perspective on his true influence on American music.
What is it about?
The book reconstructs Gram Parsons' trajectory from his beginnings with the International Submarine Band to his time with Emmylou Harris, including his stints with The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers. Through direct interviews and testimonies, the author explores the creative chemistry that defined his work, his excesses, and his tragic death in the Joshua Tree desert. The narrative is structured around the voices of those who shared the stage and life with him, offering a choral chronicle that reveals both the artistic achievements and the contradictions of a figure surrounded by legend.
Main themes
- Creation and history of country rock as a musical genre.
- Creative process and artistic chemistry between Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris.
- Life and death of a cult musician in the American counterculture of the 60s and 70s.
- Parsons' influence on American rock and his relationship with figures like Keith Richards.
- Demystifying a legend through first-hand testimonies.
Who is it recommended for?
This book is aimed at fans of American rock, followers of Gram Parsons and country rock, as well as readers interested in musical biographies who seek a documented and choral approach, far from hagiography. It will also be of interest to those who want to understand the cultural and musical context of the late 60s and early 70s in the United States.
What this book contributes
- Access to exclusive testimonies from people who knew and worked with Gram Parsons.
- A balanced and documented vision that separates myth from reality.
- Detailed historical and musical context on the birth of country rock.
- The first oral biography in Spanish about a fundamental figure in popular music.
Technical specifications
- Author: PUJOL NADAL, JORDI
- Publisher: 66 RPM EDICIONS, S.L
- Language: Spanish
- Topic: MUSIC, BIOGRAPHY: ART AND ENTERTAINMENT, AUTOBIOGRAPHY: ART AND ENTERTAINMENT
- Collection: SHAKE SOME ACTION
- Binding: Paperback
- Publication date: December 2024
- Number of pages: 224
- Weight: 200 g
Editorial review
This is a rigorous piece of musical research that provides a necessary perspective on an often-mythologized figure. The choice of an oral format and the selection of testimonies allow the reader to form their own judgment, moving away from one-sided biographies. For audiences interested in the history of rock and its less conventional protagonists, this book offers an enriching and well-documented read.