1973



Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, 9/8/45 – 3/8/73. Born in San Fransisco, California he was a founding member of the band Grateful Dead. He was sang, played organ, harmonica, percussion, and occasionally guitar. Pigpen began experiencing congenital liver problems, likely exacerbated by his years of excessive drinking after suffering a gastrointestinal hemorrhage. He was 27.

Another 27...this makes six, three more to come. The Grateful Dead, to this day, has such a strong following. I can only imagine the sadness that gripped each fan when they heard the news that he had passed. His grave marker aptly says, "Pigpen was, and forever now is, one of the Grateful Dead".

The Grateful Dead - Sugar Magnolia
via FoxyTunes




Gram Parsons, (Cecil Ingram Connor), 11/5/46 - 9/19-1973, Gram was born in Winter Haven, Florida. He was a member of several bands including The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers. Known for writing music, playing guitar and piano he was well respected by other musicians. Gram died of a heart failure from tequila & morphine overdose . He was 26.

Sad. So much talent...gone so soon. The story of his death and what happened afterward is incredible, "In the late 1960s, Parsons became enamored of Joshua Tree National Monument in southeastern California. Alone or with friends, he would disappear in the desert for days searching for UFOs while under the influence of psilocybin or LSD. Less than two days after arriving, Parsons died September 19, 1973 in Joshua Tree, California at the age of 26 from a lethal combination, purportedly of morphine and alcohol. According to Fisher in the 2005 biography Grievous Angel: An Intimate Biography of Gram Parsons, the amount of morphine consumed by Parsons would be lethal to three addicts and thus he had likely overestimated his tolerance considering his past experience with opiates. Fisher and McElroy were returned to Los Angeles by Kaufman, who dispersed the remnants of Parsons' stash in the desert.

Parsons' body disappeared from the Los Angeles International Airport where it was being readied to be shipped to Louisiana for burial. Prior to his death, Parsons stated that he wanted his body cremated at Joshua Tree and his ashes spread over Cap Rock, a prominent natural feature there; however, Parson's stepfather arranged for a private ceremony back in New Orleans and neglected to invite any of his friends from the music industry.To fulfill Parsons' "funeral" wishes, Kaufman and a friend stole his body from the airport and in a borrowed hearse drove it to Joshua Tree where they attempted to cremate it by pouring five gallons of gasoline into the open coffin and throwing a lit match inside. What resulted was an enormous fireball. Police chased them, but according to one account they were unencumbered by sobriety and got away. The two were arrested several days later. Since there was no law against stealing a dead body, they were only fined $750 (or $700) for stealing the coffin and were not prosecuted for leaving 35 lbs of his charred remains in the desert."

The Byrds - Ballad Of Easy Rider
via FoxyTunes



Jim Croce, 1/10/43 – 9/20/73, Jim was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was a talented singer/song writer and played the piano, guitar and harmonica. Jim was best known for his hits Bad Bad Leroy Brown, and Time in a Bottle. The album “I Got a Name” was released posthumously and some believe Jim had yet to produce his best work, while others maintain that his death was what gave his music publicity. He died in a plane crash. Jim was 30.

I was shocked by the news of Jim's death. That summer I had spent a lot of time with an older cousin who played all of Jim Croce's well known songs on his guitar. In a way it seemed like a personal loss because he was so open in his lyrics, you felt like you knew him.

Jim Croce - I Got A Name
via FoxyTunes

17 comments:

KariBryant said...

I really love Jim...

Unknown said...

BILL WILSON: AGENT FOR SATAN
In 1958, Wilson wrote to Sam Shoemaker, Throughout A.A., we find a large amount of psychic phenomena, nearly all of it spontaneous.

Alcoholic after alcoholic tells me of such experiences… run nearly the full gamut of everything we see in the books.

In addition to my original mystical experience, I’ve had a lot of such phenomenalism myself. (24)

Wilson’s “original mystical experience” was his alleged “conversion” –a classic occult encounter:

“Suddenly the room lit up with a great white light. I was caught up into an ecstasy…it burst upon me that I was a free man…a wonderful feeling of Presence, and I thought to myself, ‘So this is the God of the preachers! ‘A great peace stole over me….” (25)

This was not the “God of the preachers” but the one who transforms himself “into an angel of light” (2 Cor 1l: l4) - a light that often transforms those involved in the occult.

Unknown said...

TWELVE STEPS AWAY FROM CHRIST
Mr. Bill Wilson, who was heavily influenced by demons, was founder of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and creator of the twelve-step program.

Chapter sixteen (p. 275f) of 'Pass It On' The Story of Bill Wilson and how the A.A. message reached the world records Mr. Wilson's use of the ouija board, participation in séances, psychic events, "spook sessions", table levitation, and how he would receive "messages" from "discarnate" spirits.

Bill Wilson was clearly in contact with demons, and this is the man who created the deceptive twelve-step program.

Make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood Him. (Step #11.) The last part of this statement ("as we understood Him") is enough to damn your soul! God says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.(Proverbs 3:5).

This is the exact opposite of "God as we understood Him." All men, according to Romans 1:18-32, are condemned before God, because they rely upon their own understanding (Romans 1:21; Ephesians 4:18, "having their understanding darkened"), and they create (in their own darkened minds) a god of their own making (Romans 1:23).

To encourage people to turn their "lives over to the care of God as we understood Him", is to encourage people to "turn their lives over to a god of their own making" (i.e. according to their own understanding).

This promotes nothing more than spiritual death (Revelation 22:15). In addition, these twelve steps are a deceitful attack against the saving work of the Lord Jesus Christ (i.e. they are against Christ, anti-Christ, 2 John 7; Colossians 2:8-10).

The twelve steps are (as Mr. Wilson used them) given as an answer (a way) in which one can overcome sin (with Mr. Wilson's case, the sin of drunkenness).

Jesus Christ is the ONLY answer for sin. He is the only way (John 14:6). There is only ONE "step", and that is faith in the Saviour (Ephesians 2:8/Matthew1:21/John 8:36/Romans10: 13!

The above exemplifies the "twelve steps" are what are used to "become free from addictive, compulsive" behaviour (i.e. sin). In other words, the twelve steps are the saviour!

No doubt it is deceptive, because "Biblical principles" are interwoven throughout; but if they weren't, few (if any) would be deceived. One good question to ask would be, "Where does Scripture talk about any 'twelve steps'"? The answer? Nowhere!

These twelve steps come from Satan (via Bill Wilson), who is the master deceiver (Revelation 12:9). Remember, SATAN used Scripture to tempt Christ (Matthew 4:6), and Balaam spoke much truth (Numbers 23-24); but he was a false prophet (2 Peter 2:15-16/Numbers 22).

In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus warned, Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.

Jesus likewise warned in Luke 13:24, Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Unknown said...

HOW IT JERKS :
Rarely have we seen a person fail who thoroughly followed us home. Those who are not BRAINWASHED are people who cannot or will not completely give themselves to this garbage, usually men and women who are constitutionally capable of thinking for themselves.

There are such fortunate’s. They are not at fault; they seem to have been born premature. They are naturally capable of building and developing muscles, which demands rigorous training. Their chances are 6/4 on.

There are those, too, who are gravediggers and undertakers, but many of them do become ZOMBIES if they have the capacity to be dishonest.

Our stories disclose in a twisted way, who we like, what happened, and who we hate now. If you have decided you want a cup of tea and are willing to go to any lengths to become emotionally shutdown, SHAPE SHIFTING REPTILES - then you are ready to take certain steps.

At some of these we balked, we thought we could find someone to 13TH STEP, and we knew, we could. With all the madness at our command, we beg of you to become BILL WILSON CLONES - from the very start.

Some of us have tried to hold on to our BIG BOOKS and the result was nil until we let go of our SPONSORS.

Remember that we deal with alcohol, frothy, bubbly, and powerful! without help it is too much for us. But there is one who has all power that one is the BARMAN. May you find Him now!

Half measures availed us nothing. We stood at the bar. We asked
The BARMAN for a couple of stiff vodka's.

Here are the steps we took, which are suggested as a program to INSANITY :
1. We admitted we were powerless over COCA-COLA, and decided to drink PEPSI, instead.
2. Came to believe that COLD POWER was a detergent.
3. Made a decision to turn our heads when we saw an attractive BLONDE.
4. Did a BODY SEARCH of the new members.
5. Admitted to our DOG, to elves, and to another super being the exact nature of our PONGS.
6. Were entirely ready to have SUPERMAN remove the effects of kryptonite.
7. Humbly asked CLARK KENT to remove our brains.
8. Made a list of all persons who owed us money, and became willing to charge them interest.
9. Made direct HITS wherever possible, except when someone moved the target.
10. Continued to talk CRAP and when we were wrong, promptly talked more CRAP.
11. Sought through our mail and computer to improve our conscious contact with BATMAN, as we understood him, praying only for knowledge of ROBIN and the return of SPIDERMAN.
12. Having had a STROKE as the result of these steps, we tried to carry out the GARBAGE, and fell flat on our backs.

Many of us exclaimed, "What an order! I can't go through with it." Do not be discouraged. No one among us has been able to maintain their homes and 13th STEP the newcomers, at the same time.

We are not psychopaths. The point is that we are willing to become PSYCHOTIC, the principles we have set down are guides to psychosis. We claim that BILL WILSON was a PSYCHOPATH.

Our description of the landscape, the chapter to the GNOSTIC, and our family photos before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:
(a) That we wereUGLY and could not manage our own appearance.
(b) That probably no PHOTOGRAPHER could have improved our looks.
(c) That a PLASTIC SURGEON could and would if he were sought.

Unknown said...

3RD EVIL SPIRIT said...
...I did twelve separate sessions on the Traditions in recent months... And yes, I'm 'Always and Forever' in LOVE with our program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Dear Steve,
The Big Book VS THE Book (God's Word)
Any attempt to excuse, justify or label behavior is an attempt to cover up sin. God’s Word is clear, certain behaviors are sinful, not diseases.
Galatians 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are fornication, uncleanness, immodesty, luxury,

20 Idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentions, emulations, wraths, quarrels, dissensions, sects,

21 Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.

Unknown said...

SATAN'S MESSENGER SAID...


(a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (Step 1)


(b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (Step 2)

(c) That God could and would if He were sought. (Step 3)

Unknown said...

SOUND OF SOBRIETY
Hello darkness, my old friend,
I’ve come to talk crap again,
An AA meeting softly creeping,
Left its seeds while I was sleeping,
And the 12 STEPS that were planted in my brain, still remains
Within the sound of sobriety.

In restless meetings I walked alone
BILL WILSON CLONES, made of stone
Neath the halo of an OLD TIMER,
I turned my collar to the 1st and 3rd STEP
When my eyes were stabbed by the flash of
A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
That split the night
And touched the sound of sobriety.

And in the naked light I saw
Ten thousand 12 STEPPERS, maybe more.
12 STEPPERS reading the BIG BOOK,
STEPPERS hearing without listening,
MARY CHRISTINE,
writing her 4TH STEP
PAM, THE FAT SATANIC PIG doing her 5TH STEP
and no one dared
Disturb the sound of sobriety.

ZOMBIES said I, you do not know
SATANISM like a cancer grows.
Hear my words that I might BRAINWASH you,
Take my arms that I might 13th STEP you.
But my words like the higher power fell,
and echoed
in the halls of sobriety

And the 12 STEPPERS ranted and raved
To the AA god they made.
And the sign flashed out its warning,
in the words that it was forming.
And the sign said, KEEP COMING BACK;
IT WORKS IF YOU
WORK IT!
and the 12 STEP ZOMBIES,
Whispered in the sounds of sobriety.

Unknown said...

THE SOUND OF ZOMBIES

"The halls are alive with the sound of the STEPPERS
With DRUNK-A-LOGS they have sung for seventy years
The halls fill your brain with the sound of zombies
Your brain wants to explode when the 12 STEPS are read

Your brain wants to rip the
BIG BOOK to shreds
& use it as TOILET PAPER

Your stomach wants to “puke” when a BILL & BOB CLONE!
Talks a load of “crap” about a “higher power”

To 13TH STEP the newcomer & send them to hell
To cry through the night when your SPONSOR, drinks

You go to the meetings when your brain is "loony"
I know you will hear what you've heard before
Your soul will be cursed with
HOW IT WORKS
And you'll VOMIT once more".

Unknown said...

IST EVIL SPIRIT said...
Last night was truly wonderful. I LOVE having a home full of alcoholics! There was lots of food, lots of fellowship, and lots of phone calls!

Dear Mary,
Proverbs 18 Pride goeth before destruction: and the spirit is lifted up before a fall.

19 It is better to be humbled with the meek, than to divide spoils with the proud.

Unknown said...

CHAINED STEPPER

Oh, BILL WILSON
My darling
I've hungered for your BIG BOOK
A long, lonely time
And AA goes by so slowly
And AA can do nothing much
Are you still insane?

I need your CULT
I need your CULT
BILL! speed your cult to me

Lonely STEPPERS flow
To the abyss, to the abyss
To the open arms of the abyss
Lonely STEPPERS sigh
Wait for me, wait for me
I'll be a WILSON CLONE
Wait for me!

Oh, BOB SMITH
My darling
I've hungered, hungered, for the STEPS
A long, lonely time
And “HOW IT WORKS” is rarely
seen as anything but crap
Are you still on wine?

I need you Doc!
I need your Doc!

Bob! “speed” your 'BILL' to me!

Unknown said...

Shannen said
I have found that I have to forgive others in all situations to maintain any real spiritual progress.

Dear Shannen,
If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. (2 Chronicles)

Unknown said...

A.A. and Religious Faith
by A. Orange

"All hope abandon, ye who enter in!
...
We to the place have come, where I have told thee
Thou shalt behold the people dolorous
Who have foregone the good of intellect."


Dante's Inferno, Canto III

Unknown said...

Mary Christine, Pammie & Steve E, lend me your BIG BOOKS;
I come to bury WILSON, not to praise him.

The evil that men do lives after them;
the good is oft interred with their bones; so let it be with WILSON.

The noble MICKY
Hath told you WILSON was psychotic: If it were so, it was a grievous fault, and grievously hath WILSON answered it.

Here, under leave of MICKY and the rest - for MlCKY is an honourable man; so are they all, all honourable men.

Come I to speak in WILSON’S funeral. He was my friend, faithful and just to me: But MICKY says he was a 13th STEPPER; and MICKY is an honourable man.

He hath brought many alkies home to AA whose stories, did the Church Halls fill: Did this in WILSON seem ambitious?

When that the alkies have cried, WILSON had a cigarette: Emphysema should be made of sterner stuff:

Yet MICKY says he was a psychopath; and MICKY is an honourable man.

You all did see that at the AA Convention, I thrice presented him an AA medallion,
which his “higher power” thrice refused: was this HOW IT WORKS?

Yet MICKY says he was a manic – depressive scam artist, who talked to dead people; and, sure, he is an honourable man.

I speak not to disprove what MICKY spoke, but here I am to speak what I do know. You all did love him once, not without cause: What cause withholds you then, to laugh at him?

O judgment! Thou art fled to brutish beasts, and the 12 STEPS have lost their reason.

Bear with me; My BIG BOOK is in the coffin there with WILSON, and I must pause till I can borrow another one.

Unknown said...

I LOVE JESUS SO MUCH

I SHOULD NEVER HAVE ANY CAUSE OR REASON TO BE ASHAMED TO LOVE JESUS.

Is not the time coming, and the day hastening, when covetous men shall be ashamed of loving the world, and voluptuous men ashamed of loving their pleasures, and ambitious men ashamed of loving their honours?

For is it not a horrid shame, that a rational creature should be such a sot as to love sin which is most loathsome, and not to love Jesus who is most lovely? To love deformity, and not beauty?

Oh shame, shame! It is a shame that sin should have such esteem, and Jesus such great contempt put upon him.

But shame shall before long confound these now shameless wretches, when they shall cry out, "We are ashamed that we loved profits, and not Jesus- houses, lands, lusts, and not Jesus.
This is the confusion of our faces, and shame covers us-- that we should be so foolish, and so blind, that we had not sense, nor reason, to distinguish between sin, which is the greatest and most odious evil, and Jesus who is the greatest and most lovely good."


But the time will never come, the day will never be, that a gracious soul shall be ashamed of his sincere love to Jesus Christ.

Perplexio said...

While not as good a songwriter as his father, AJ Croce is an exceptional vocalist who is arguably a better singer than his father was. If you haven't checked him out, I recommend doing so. He's really got a great voice.

Perplexio said...

I once read that former Chicago keyboardist/organist Bill Champlin was offered the keyboardist gig in the Grateful Dead. Given their poor track record with keyboardists he didn't want to tempt fate and turned them down.

Tatyanna (and Dorian too) said...

hey barb, i love this site, extremely interesting. oh man, jim croce!!! he is one of the main reasons i took up the guitar :) and the songwriting ability that he had was so phenomenal to me. adore!