On September 18, 1973, in room 8 at the Joshua Tree Inn, Gram Parsons died at the age of 26 after consuming excessive alcohol and drugs. He was declared dead on arrival at High Desert Memorial Hospital on September 19, 1973, in Yucca Valley. Room 8 still offers a “Cosmic American Experience” to fans of the father of Alt-country rock. On the peach colored wall hangs the same mirror and picture that hung in the room back in 1973. 

Before his death, Gram requested that he wanted to be cremated at Joshua Tree and his ashes spread over Cap Rock. To fulfill his wishes, two friends stole his body from Los Angeles International Airport and in a borrowed hearse, drove it to Joshua Tree. When they got to Cap Rock, they tried to cremate his body by pouring gallons of gasoline into the coffin and throwing a lit match inside. What resulted was an enormous fireball.

The two friends were arrested several days later. What remained of Parson’s body, was eventually buried in Garden of Memories Cemetery in Metairie, Louisiana.

For detailed information on the park, visit the Complete Guide to Joshua Tree National Park.

The Byrds Discography

1965 – Mr. Tambourine Man
1965 – Turn! Turn! Turn!
1966 – Fifth Dimension
1967 – Younger Than Yesterday
1968 – The Notorious Byrd Brothers
1968 – Sweetheart of the Rodeo
1969 – Dr. Byrds & Mr. Hyde
1969 – Ballad of Easy Rider
1970 – (Untitled)
1971 – Byrdmaniax
1971 – Farther Along
1973 – Byrds

The Flying Burrito Brothers Discography

1969 – The Gilded Palace of Sin
1970 – Burrito Deluxe
1971 – The Flying Burrito Bros
1975 – Flying Again
1976 – Airborne
1994 – Eye of a Hurricane
1997 – California Jukebox
1999 – Sons of the Golden West

Joshua Tree Inn
61259 29 Palms Highway,
Joshua Tree CA 92252