ABSTRACT
The Flying Burrito Brothers was a short-lived country rock group that had a big influence on later groups. Formed by Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman in 1968 (after the two had played together in the Byrds on the group’s Sweetheart of the Rodeo [Columbia 9670; 1968] album), the Burritos combined hippie lyrics with a country sensibility. They were among the first rock bands to feature pedal steel guitar, borrowed from mainstream country instrumentation. Parsons remained with the group only for two albums, the classic The GildedPalace of Sin (A&M 4175; 1969), and Burrito Deluxe (A&M 4258; 1970), and then left to pursue a solo career (which was cut short by his death due to drugs). The band lasted until about 1973 with various personnel, and has been revived (at least in name) several times since. Although their music sold poorly originally, many new country acts of the 1980s and 1990s emulated the Burrito sound, not to mention other country rock groups, notably the early Eagles.
