Gram Parsons is credited as being a huge influence on the alt country genre. After a short stint with The Byrds and his time with The Flying Burrito Brothers, he created a blend of rock and country music that he called "American Cosmic Music." He made two solo records in the early 70's with his singing partner Emmylou Harris. "GP" was loved by critics, but failed to break into the mainstream. Parsons died of a drug overdose in 1973 at the age of 26 at the Joshua Tree Inn.