The Ben Fong-Torres Recordings on Gram Parsons consist of 24 audiocassettes dated 1964-1973, including some undated cassettes. The audiocassettes contain original interviews by Fong-Torres and research assistant Holly George-Warren, as well as other recordings by Fong-Torres, for the book "Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons," published in 1991. Artists of note include Richie Furay, Chris Hillman, Roger McGuinn, John Phillips, and Michelle Phillips. The audiocassettes provide insight into rock music journalism and the primary source material necessary to the writing process. The audiocassettes are arranged into series by subject and then arranged alphabetically by individual.
Biography / Administrative History
Ben Fong-Torres is an award-winning rock journalist and author. He was born in 1945 and began writing for Rolling Stone magazine in 1968. He conducted some of Rolling Stone's most famous interviews, including Ray Charles, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Marvin Gaye, the Grateful Dead, the Jackson 5, Elton John, Diane Keaton, Steve Martin, Paul McCartney, Bonnie Raitt, the Rolling Stones, Linda Ronstadt, Diana Ross, Ike and Tina Turner, and Stevie Wonder. Fong-Torres left Rolling Stone in 1981 and has since written books including his memoir, The Rice Room: From Number Two Son to Rock and Roll, Eagles: Taking It to the Limit, and Hickory Wind: The Life and Times of Gram Parsons, which was nominated for a Ralph Gleason Book Award in 1991. He has also written for other publications including the San Francisco Chronicle, Asian Connections, Esquire, GQ, Parade, Harper's Bazaar, The Hollywood Reporter, and Sports Illustrated.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Ben Fong-Torres Recordings on Gram Parsons were received by the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a gift from Fong-Torres on June 30, 2022.
Citation: [Identification of Item], Ben Fong-Torres Recordings on Gram Parsons, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Language Note: Collection is in English.
Processing Information: Processed by Lyndsey Godwin-Kresge, Audiovisual Archivist. Completed July 12, 2022. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local processing manual. Collection processed through a Museums for America grant from the IMLS.
Access
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Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.