more howl

My home boy Phil Kaufman of rocknroll manager fame sent me this pic. Most of the people that check this blog out will recognize it. It’s of one of my all time favorites Gram Parsons on his sporty out in Joshua Tree where Phil would actually end up lighting his dead body on fire…the way he wanted it…I figured some of you would enjoy this conversation I had with the legend Phil Kaufman..the last line is what’s it’s all about.I post some stuff from Phil now and then. He’s been riding for a long long time.

ME: man I love that bike and picture..I always wanted to ask you about Gram and motorcycles…
PHIL: Ah...you got it..it was a 72 Sportster with a coffin tank (how apropos) ..he was racing up a hill with John Phillips and the front end broke...he ended up in the hospital for a while ..I made him a trophy from the foot peg...
ME: Oh man! Does any of that bike still exist?? That tank looked rad
PHIL: No idea where the bike is now....it was mess....as was he...the tank was made by a guy in the Valley (LA)...Gary something(not Bang)....he created the coffin tank...
ME: I wonder if it’s hanging up in a garage somewhere..did he keep riding after his wreck or was he pretty much over it?
PHIL: That was the end of his motorcycling...there wasn't much left of the bike...I don;t think it had a hundred miles on it.....
ME: Only a hundred miles! Damn. I’ve had a lot of friends go down. Some passed away some walked away. A lot keep on riding but many don’t. I know you had some wrecks in the past..in England etc. Did you ever think about walking away from the motorcycle life? What kept you on the bike all these years?

PHIL: I'm 76 and intend to ride to my funeral...there's really nothing like it...and if you have a pal or a group of pals...it's even better...I do need electric start and comfy seat for my ol big sore butt..