Gram Parsons inspires Ottawa theatrical concert
Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons plays at the NAC this weekend
Last Updated: Thursday, November 5, 2009 | 3:19 PM ET
CBC News
The music and life story of rock-country pioneer Gram Parsons is the focus of a new theatrical project in Ottawa.
Ottawa journalist and musician Michael Bate interviewed the singer-songwriter months before he died in 1973 of a drug overdose at age 26.
Bate remains fascinated with Parsons, who influenced musicians such as Keith Richards and Elvis Costello.
He has used his interview to create a monologue for a theatrical concert about Parsons's life, called Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons.
Bate says Parsons had talent, wealth and education, but lived too hard.
Parsons came from an affluent Florida family, partied with the Rolling Stones and introduced them to American country music.
"I was going down to Boston March Break in '73 and I happened to bring my cassette recorder. And there on the turnpike was Parsons's tour bus, and I jumped out and said, 'Where are you staying?'"
Bate got his interview, and watched Gram Parsons perform with his then protégée, Emmylou Harris.
Half a year later, at age 26, Parsons died of an overdose. As he had requested, his body was later set on fire by friends at Joshua Tree in California.
"He threw it all away. He was on this slow-motion suicide that he embarked on after his father's suicide. And he thought it would be cool to go out like Hank Williams in a blaze of glory," Bate said.
Cult figure influenced bands
Parsons would have turned 63 Thursday.
Instead, he's a cult figure, whose hybrid rock-country style also influenced the Eagles, even though Parsons himself never had a hit song.
This is Bate's first theatre production: songs interlaced with monologue.
It's also the first acting gig for Carp-born musician Anders Drerup.
He's trying to get Parsons's affable and depressed sides just right.
"The real challenge for me as far as this character's been concerned is getting those two extremes and understanding them that much better, you know," said Drerup.
Grievous Angel: The Legend of Gram Parsons plays at the NAC Fourth Stage this weekend.
