Originally Published on Apr. 19, 2018
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Snub Week
The Song of the Day is:
The Flying Burrito Brothers – “Hot Burrito #1”
From the album The Gilded Palace of Sin (1969)
The Flying Burrito Brothers are the quintessential country-rock band. They formed from a splinter of The Byrds, as Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman were former members. I consider Gram Parsons to be the real snub here, he had an impressive solo career on top of being a member of the International Submarine Band, The Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers. So if he weren’t inducted on his own solo merit or as a Burrito Brother, inputting sure he would qualify as a “Musical Excellence” inductee. Sadly, Parsons was left off the ballot when the Byrds were inducted, despite his major contribution to their Sweetheart of the Rodeo album. The Burrito Brothers happen to my favorite of Parsons’ projects, and this is my favorite of his songs. I would be happy to to see either a solo induction for Parsons or a band induction, which would result in second inductions for Hillman, also a Byrd, and Bernie Leadon who was also an Eagle. Parsons and the the band put an undeniable stamp on Rock & Roll by infusing his genuine love of country music. His influence is felt in the Eagles, Linda Ronstadt, Poco, Emmylou Harris, his friends The Rolling Stones and most modern country artists. So what’s keeping him out of the Hall of Fame? Probably a lack of fame, neither Parsons or the Burrito Brothers are terribly popular among casual listeners. Additionally, country musicians, even country rockers, don’t seem to get much love from the Hall. Parsons also passed away in 1973, so there’s no urgency to his induction. Parsons has been due for decades, and he’s even been nominated before. It’s time for him to get another chance.
Hear Today, Grown Tomorrow 