The Americana and roots music authority
Should the National Park Service Erect an Official Memorial to Gram Parsons at Joshua Tree?
I recently received some mail from a former park ranger out at Joshua Tree National Monument. He writes about personal memorials to Gram, "...But what is happening is that the natural site is being wrecked by people writing messages to Gram on the rocks, on the ground, leaving offerings, stuff that is not in line with 'the preserve and protect for future generations' motto of the NPS . To make a long story short I have been trying to get the NPS to put a real memorial for Gram at this site." As a preservationist myself, I share this ranger's misgivings about people leaving all sorts of personal "reflections" at the site of Parsons' (Kaufman's) "funeral pyre." This person has officially suggested that an official monument be erected instead, and has given it his all. The reaction is, it was just some drug addict that OD'd there. Do you think the National Park Service should erect an official monument to Gram Parsons at Joshua Tree?
Tags: emmylou, gram, gramparsons, joshua, joshuatree, kaufman, parsons
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by James McKinney on -
I think without a doubt they should erect something more perminate for Gram. Place something on the outskirts of the park if not possible in the park. A small spot with a small parking area for fans to go to and pay their respects would go a long way towards stopping the damage to the natural areas.
-
Permalink Reply by Todd Novak on -
Yes, I've been there and it's kind of a mess. If they had an area and a small memorial designated for the Gram visitors it would be much better. A plaque or pic with the bio of his life, music etc..
It wouldn't take much to correct this problem. The site is being defaced and I compare it to the Jim Morrison site in france. His nose being broken off the face etc..
People wander off of the designated trails at Joshua Tree to get around cap rock and wander thinking they're really experiencing what it felt like for Gram to be there. I was happy to just stand there and look up at the sky. Beautiful place! Then we went to the Joshua Tree Inn, and stood by the pool. Amazing. Todd
-
Permalink Reply by mojobone on -
I'm surprised you even asked. Yes, of course I want to see a memorial, especially if it helps keep the park cleaner or neater or whatever.
-
Permalink Reply by Will James on -
Your "surprise" reminds me of the reaction I get from many who sign the petition (http://www.gramparsonspetition.com), esp many overseas. They can't believe he isn't already in. This park ranger and a higher-up did all they could and the NPS, for whom I have great respect, just didn't get it. How much longer will it take. How many more signatures (0ver 3,000 so far)?
-
Permalink Reply by Chris Saunders on -
What I fear is that the same thing will happen to that monument that happened to Jim Morrison's headstone and grave in Paris. If you have ever seen it, you know what I mean.
-
Permalink Reply by Peggy Hanson on -
When I am at Cap Rock and see the writing and art (contained in one small area, not scrawled all over), i have noticed Norwegian words praising Gram, for example, and other tasteful lyrics printed here and there. The flavor i get is of worldwide appreciation for him, much like the flavor of the GP/CMHOF petition. Sure, a monument to him would be fine out there. Sounds like a long shot though, and meanwhile i think the artwork fills the hearts of those who see it. (It does get sandblasted every so often, and must start over.)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ms2171/2379334178/
-
Permalink Reply by Will James on
-
Thanks Peggy, I must admit I'm torn on this issue as the personal statements there seem to mean so much to some people. But they *can* leave messages on the Petition - for the world to see, and it may be possible to incorporate into an NPS monument an "area" for such transitory offerings instead of continual sandblasting of a National Park... As for being a "long shot" - that's the only thing we deal in at the G3P!
-
Permalink Reply by Peggy Hanson on
-
but Cap Rock is so 3D! Nuthin like it, the bright blue sky, bright pink rocks, one of a kind Joshua trees.....heaven!
-
Permalink Reply by Will James on
-
Which is probably why the park ranger wants to keep it that way! Gotta admit, I'm with him on this one, possibly because I've been working on a local commission for over 20 years that ultimately is certified by the NPS and US Dept of the Interior.
-
Permalink Reply by Kenny Coskey on -
NO.. That should be a private fund raising effort..
-
Permalink Reply by David Lewis on -
We were there today (Yes - Today!) and agree it would be better to have a small officially sanctioned memorial. The NPS keeps removing the markings at Cap Rock, and fans continue to replace them. I didn't know exactly where at Cap Rock the existing memorial was located, so I asked a ranger. Her immediate, canned response was: "There is no memorial to Gram Parsons in Joshua Tree National Park. There is no 'official' memorial to Gram Parsons. That's all I can say about that." Knowing it was near Cap Rock, it didn't take long to locate, but a small memorial adjacent to Cap Rock - just a few yards away, out in the desert - would be a fitting way to resolve this dilemma. The markings I photographed today don't match the markings others have shot as recently as last year - so new stuff goes up as soon as old stuff is removed.
-
Permalink Reply by Will James on
-
Look, there's nothing particularly significant about Cap Rock, it's just where Phil Kaufman started hearing the sirens and decided good as any. Gram died at the Joshua Tree Inn. Joshua Tree is a nice place, and has become symbolic to some. So c'mon NPS, erect a monument and start enforcing keeping the dessert clean.
© 2010 Created by No Depression
Badges | Report an Issue | ND Terms Of Use and ND Privacy Policy | Terms of Service
