TODAY IN ROCK AND ROLL HISTORY - 09/19/1973

26 year old Gram Parsons, formerly of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers, died under mysterious conditions in Joshua Tree, California. His death is attributed to heart failure, but later is officially announced as due to a drug overdose. His coffin was stolen by two of his associates, manager Phil Kaufman and Michael Martin, a former roadie for The Byrds, and is taken to Cap Rock in the California desert where it’s set afire, they say in accordance to Parson’s wishes. The two were later arrested by police.