Today is a blog post that has literally been years in the making. As some of you may know, Gram Parsons is one of my favorite musicians, and I have been spending the last several years seeking locations linked to him across Southern California. Originally hailing from Winter Haven, Florida and growing up in Georgia, Parsons eventually found his way to California where he would join in the groovy and psychedelic music scene of the famed Sunset Strip, blazing trails by combining rock ‘n roll with country music.

Included in this list are buildings that are still standing and their connection with Gram can be confirmed in one way or another. Many places have been omitted for several reasons. Sadly, multiple locations, such as Rag Doll, Topanga Corral, and The Brass Ring, where Hillman kicked Gram out of the Burritos, have been demolished. Other places are given vague descriptions in biographies, such as “A house on DeSoto” or “a Beverly Hills bank” and “a drive-in.” Such locations have been omitted. Additionally, some locations on the list can only be viewed from the street, unless you have business inside. Several locations have their own dedicated blog post from a prior visit. Links have been provided for you to click if you wish to see and read more.

Gram’s First California Apartment/The Charlie

819 N. Sweetzer Ave., West Hollywood

Gram arrived in California in March of 1967, having convinced his fellow members of the International Submarine Band that if they wanted to make it big, they needed to move to Los Angeles. Gram and his girlfriend at the time, Nancy, rented 821 1/4 N Sweetzer Avenue, a two story apartment located in a complex built by Charlie Chaplin.

Today the adorable English inspired complex is a boutique hotel dubbed The Charlie, after Charlie Chaplin. For those wishing to stay in Gram’s old apartment, book the “Ruth” room.

Patrick and I stayed here for my birthday recently, and you can read more about and see lots more photos of the Charlie by checking out the full post from our stay.

Western Sound Studios/EastWest Studios

6000 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles

After successfully relocating the band, the group recorded their album, Safe at Home, in July of 1967 at Western Sound in Studio B, as noted in Twenty Thousand Roads. Although on EastWest’s website the studios are numbers.

What is today EastWest Studios started out as a grocery store in 1933, but turned club in 1942, starting out as Madame Zucca’s Hollywood Casino, then the Cotton Club, and then French Casino. In 1950 it entered its music era, as West Cost Productions, the first in many different name changes. In 2005, Cello Studios, the tenant at the time, closed, and the building was suppose to be demolished, but EastWest purchased it, and it continues as a recording studio today. The list of legendary artists that have recorded here is long, and include Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, The Beach Boys, The Mamas and the Papas, Alice Cooper, Blondie, Stevie Nicks, Elton John, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Green Day, The Rolling Stones, My Chemical Romance, Lady Gaga, and Kendrick Lamar, just to name a few.

Ciro’s/Comedy Store

8433 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

After The International Submarine Band broke up, Gram joined The Byrds. To bid farewell to their public relations manager, Derek Taylor, The Byrds performed at Ciro’s with Gram as a member, for the first time, along with Jay Dee Maness on pedal steel. Despite no longer being a member, a drunken Gene Clark joined and performed a few songs with the band.

The location was originally home to Club SeVille, which had a dance floor over an aquarium, and opened in 1935. After less than a year, it closed, becoming Ciro’s in 1940. Ciro’s was a Hollywood hot spot for stars of the day, but by the end of the 1950s, the owner filed by bankruptcy. It would reopen as Ciro’s Le Disc in 1965. After several more name changes, it became The Comedy Store in 1972, which it remains as today.

I have yet to attend a show at The Comedy Club, but hope to do so in the future. Find out who’s performing, buy merch, and more on their website.

A&M Records/Jim Henson Studio

1416 N. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles

Gram was thrown out of The Byrds after refusing to perform in South Africa to a segregated audience. Eventually, he and another former Byrd, Chris Hillman, reunited, and formed the Flying Burrito Brothers. The band signed a deal with A&M, which was situated on the old Charlie Chaplin lot. Here they recorded part of Gilded Palace of Sin, and would then give a live performance in one of the sound stages to promote their album.

Built in 1917, the studio is inspired by Chaplin’s homeland, with many English Tudor accents and details. Chaplin sold the lot in 1953, and after a handful of owners, it became A&M in 1966. Eventually the Henson Studio purchased the property, and the Muppets and other Henson creatures called the place home, until 2024 when it was announced they were selling it. In November of 2024, it was announced that musician John Mayer, and director McG were purchasing the property, so the ability to visit the property remains unknown.

These photos are from when we visited during a Puppet Up! performance. For more photos, check out this post.

Wally Heider Studio

1604 N Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles

The Burritos started recording Gilded Palace of Sin at A&M, but eventually they moved to Wally Heider Studio to finish recording. The atmosphere was more relaxed, and they could leave their equipment set up.

The location is now home to a software company.

Canyon Country Store

2108 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Los Angeles

Gram drove by here and had a brief conversation with Miss Mercy of the GTOs. Miss Mercy reflected “I was sitting in the Laurel Canyon Country Store with Johanna, who was this incredible-looking woman. Gram stopped the car and said, ‘Oh, I’ve got to meet here when I come back, but I gotta go do something now.’ So he went up there and did what he had to do…When he came back Gram and Johanna had some kind of fling.”

The Canyon Country Store, was a place frequented by those who lived in Laurel Canyon, which became the place to live for the music scene of the day. I think it’s safe to say Gram probably shopped here.

We stopped by here awhile back. For more photos and history on this unique icon, check out this post.

Nudie’s Rodeo Tailor

5015 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood

With their advance from A&M, Gram took the Burritos to get custom made suits from Nudie Cohen, the iconic western tailor who loved rhinestones. Manuel Cuevas embroidered Gram’s drug infused suit. And the group would wear them on the cover of Gilded Palace and for several performances.

This location was home to Nudie’s from 1963 until 1994. Cali K9 Los Angeles Pet Training now resides in the building.

Whisky a Go Go

8901 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood

At the Whisky the Burritos did a promotional gig, with Van Morrison opening. Morrison was drunk, and refused to get off of the stage, causing the Burritos to take to the stage an hour late. But he wasn’t the only person not playing with a full deck of cards. According to pedal steel player Sneaky Pete, “Gram was so stoned he couldn’t play the piano…Chris Ethridge had smoked a little too much of something” eventually passing out.

The Whisky is the Sunset Strip’s most iconic venue with a long list of legends performing there. The legacy continues today with fresh groups, tribute groups, and everything in between.

Patrick and I were lucky enough to see Robby Krieger of The Doors perform here. For more images and to read about our visit, click here.

Doug Weston’s Troubadour

9081 N. Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood

The Whisky wasn’t the Burritos’ only bad live performance. In fact, most biographies say the majority of concerts weren’t great. Another terrible one went down at the Troubadour.

According to Bernie Leadon, “On Monday nights the Troubadour had a Hoot Night, which was an open-mike night…The Burritos showed up wearing their Nudie suits. There was quite a buzz about them. I sat there and couldn’t believe what I was seeing because they were so bad. It was atrocious. It was as if they had never met.”

The Palomino

6907 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood

Early on Gram would make the rounds at open mic nights at various clubs, including the Palomino. Eventually the Burritos would play there as a group. In her autobiography Pamela Des Barres noted visiting here with Gram. The Palomino opened in 1949, and quickly became the place to perform for country and western artists. After struggling through the 80s and early 90s, it shuttered in 1995. Today it is home to Le Monge Banquet Hall, an event venue.

For one night, Valley Relics Museum revived the Palomino as part of a fundraising event, and we were lucky enough to attend and meet Manuel, the man responsible for the Burritos’ suits. You can see more from that visit here.

Giant Rock

Giant Rock, Landers

Gram’s Chateau Marmont roommate Tony Foutz began work on a film called Saturation 70. The film was suppose to be a 60s counter-culture style update to the classic tale of the Wizard of Oz, starring Michelle Phillips (of the Mamas and the Papas), acclaimed rodeo tailor, and the man responsible for the suits that blazed the cover of the Flying Burrito Brothers’ debut album, Nudie Cohn, and the main character was played by Julian Jones, the son of Rolling Stones member Brian Jones. Douglas Turnbull, fresh off 2001: A Space Odyssey, was slated for effects (Turbull would go on to do the effects for Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Blade Runner). Gram was also on board, the team set out for Joshua Tree and the surrounding area for filming, including Giant Rock, the location of an annual UFO convention.

However part way through filming, the project ground to a halt and was abandoned. Over the years it has become something of myth, often hardly worth mentioning in some Gram biographies. But a book is in the works, and yes, I’ve already backed it!

We visited Giant Rock years ago, and you can see more and learn more about its bizarre history here.

Chateau Marmont

8221 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles

Chateau Marmont is infamous and synonymous with celebrities. Gram took up residency at the Chateau in summer of 1969. However, it’s difficult to say with absolute certainty which rooms was his, and he stayed there at least twice.

The first time he shared a suite with Tony Foutz. Gram and Tony’s room number was memorable, 4F, the “unfit for service” designation, which Gram received when he was drafted in 1966. The secret to his draft dodging success? Leading up to the physical he stayed up for three days and three nights, and then, the morning of, took LSD, resulting in a completely dazed and loopy Gram who was found in a broom closet wearing just his underwear. Eventually, the Chateau renumbered their rooms, and the number and letter combo was ditched.

We stayed at the Chateau for my birthday a few years ago, and when we received our key, we were told our room was 37, however our key was stamped with 3G. We also learned there were no zero rooms meaning no 20, 30, 40, etc. So, if common sense were applied, 4A would be 41, meaning 4F would be 46, however a Vanity Fair article notes his room as being 47. Gram and Tony’s room has been described as a “suite” and, according to Chateau aficionado Dave DeCaro, the room we stayed in, 37, which is billed as a “junior suite” would have the same layout as 47 above. So perhaps there is merit to the room 47 claim by Vanity Fair.

While living at the Chateau Gram was thrown out of the Flying Burrito Brothers due to his selfish and unpredictable behavior, and set out to record his first solo album, GP, in September of 1972. The Chateau also became the backdrop for the gatefold style album cover, with Gram photographed by Barry Feinstein (who also photographed the likes of Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and George Harrison) in the lobby.

Back in Gram’s day, the peaked alcoves of the lobby were vacant, with one having a set of doors, and bare bones furniture, but today the alcoves are swathed in drapes, and furniture abounds. I located a chair and posed near the alcove with the least amount of furniture near it. Upon closer inspection, peeking behind the curtains and locating the doors, I determined Gram sat in front of the second from the left alcove.

To see more from our stay and learn more about the various celebrities that have called the Chateau home, click here.

Burrito King

2109 W Sunet Blvd., Los Angeles

Gram posed at Burrito King, a Sunset walk-up restaurant, probably for an interview with Crawdaddy. Despite being fired from the Burritos and now performing solo, he donned a Flying Burrito Brothers tee for the shoot. Burrito King still serves up delicious Mexican food. I’m particularly fond of the California Burrito.

For more photos of our visit, check out this post.

The Copper Room

57360 Aviation Dr., Yucca Valley

Just off 29 Palms Highway before reaching Joshua Tree is a small independent airport that features an intimate and groovy little restaurant called the Copper Room. Gram was known to frequent the joint, which back then it was known as the Red Baron. It may have also been one of his last stops before he passed away, as it is noted in one of his biographies he and his friends “went out to the airport for lunch.” And seeing as Yucca Valley’s airport is the only one around, it’s likely this was it.

The Copper Room honors Gram with his own drink, the Gram-arita Margarita.

We dropped by the Copper Room awhile back, you can see more of this unique restaurant here.

Joshua Tree Inn

61259 29 Palms Hwy, Joshua Tree

Gram had always loved visiting Joshua Tree, biographies have noted he would make visits out there on his motorcycle, and even to take drugs with The Rolling Stones and look for UFOs.

After wrapping his second solo album he took some time off with friends, staying at the Joshua Tree Inn. He checked into room eight, but when he decided he wanted some drugs, he met up with the connection in room one.

Upon overdosing Gram was carried back to room eight by his friends. When he became unresponsive, he was taken to a nearby hospital and pronounced dead on September 19, 1971.

The Joshua Tree Inn embraces the fact that they are known for Gram’s passing. Paying homage to him in a variety of ways. The circular mirror in Room 8 is the only original furnishing.

We have stayed at the Joshua Tree Inn on multiple occasions, including room one and eight. To get a closer look at the Inn, check out these posts.

Cap Rock

Joshua Tree National Park, Joshua Tree

When friend Clarence White passed away, Gram expressed a dislike for the style of service. Gram’s friend Margaret Fisher reflected “Philip [Kaufman] and Gram were drinking and they were talking about how horrible the funeral was. They decided whichever one of them died first, the other guy would take him out to Joshua Tree and burn him up.” Kathy Fenton, another friend confirmed a part of the sentiment, “It was always our intention that he be cremated and his ashes scattered in Joshua Tree…It was a pact we made.” While vocalized, Gram’s wishes were not laid down legally, and his body was slated to be sent to New Orleans for burial. Kaufman, ever the man to execute what his clients needed, called upon friend Michael Martin, and the pair traveled to LAX in a hearse they borrowed from a friend. There the pair managed to convince the staff to release the body to them, claiming the family had changed their minds, and the body would be flown on a private plane from another airport.

The coffin secured, the pair drove out to Joshua Tree, into the park and to Cap Rock. The pair hauled the coffin out, opened it, and poured gas into it, then threw in a lit match. The pair departed, leaving Gram’s burning corpse behind.

Today Cap Rock, located not too far into Joshua Tree National Park, and visitors often leave behind mementos for Gram. We have visited Joshua Tree National Park, and stopped by Cap Rock every time. To see some snapshots from a few of our visits, click here.

I hope to one day visit the south to visit all of Gram’s old haunts there and make a similar post, but until then, I hope this inspires country music and Gram fans to visit and support these unique places in California.

Sources
Des Barres, Pamela. I’m With the Band: Confessions of a Groupie. Chicago Review Press, 2005. Print.
Einarson, John. Hot Burritos: The True Story of the Flying Burrito Brothers, Jawbone, 2008. Print.
Fong-Torres, Ben. Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons Revised and Expanded. St. Martin’s Griffin, 1991. Print.
Kealing, Bob. Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock. University Press of Florida, 2012. Print.
Meyer, David N. Twenty Thousand Roads: The Ballad of Gram Parsons and His Cosmic American Music. Villard, 2007. Print.
Proehl, Bob. 33 1/3 The Gilded Palace of Sin. Continuum, 2008. Print.

Please Note: This post was published in March 2025. I will attempt to stay up to date on the accessibility of locations.