Gram Parsons
Ingram Cecil Connor III, known professionally as Gram Parsons, was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. He was known both as a solo artist and for his work with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. His sound was a unique fusion of country, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock. Some of his hits include In My House of Darkness, She, Love Hurts, and $1000 Wedding.
Parsons attended Harvard University for one semester, but failed to earn a degree. Still, it can be argued that he obtained something more valuable from his brief stint at Harvard: a serious interest in country music. In the same year, the International Submarine Band was formed. Encouraged by his road manager Phil Kaufman, Parsons visited Joshua Tree National Park after completing his latest recording sessions. He fell in love with the place and began taking frequent vacations to the park. In 1973, he unexpectedly passed at the young age of 26 in Joshua Tree Inn.