Country music mixed with rock n’ roll seemed like a logical conclusion as the roots of the latter was intertwined with the weight of inspiration of the former. The Flying Burrito Brothers, led by two former Byrds viz. Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman, lit the touchpaper for the likes of The Eagles and Poco. Not only that, in-between his time with The Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, Parsons provided the Rolling Stones with much know-how for the legendary country-folk-blues classics that followed. In the late 80s/early 90s, Parsons (who passed away from a drug overdose in 1973, aged 27) become the godfather of a new movement which brought elements of punk and alternative rock to Parsons’ self-styled Cosmic American Music.
The Flying Burrito Brothers – Christine’s Tune (Devil in Disguise)
Uncle Tupelo – Moonshiner
Son Volt – Tear Stained Eye
Wilco – I Must Be High
The Jayhawks – Angelyne
Jason & the Scorchers – White Lies
REM – (Don’t Go Back To) Rockville
The Long Ryders – Looking for Lewis & Clark
Giant Sand – Glum
Green on Red – Keep on Moving
Beck – The Golden Age