Page "Gram Parsons" Paragraph 10

While in England with The Byrds in the summer of 1968, Parsons left the band due to his concerns over a planned concert tour of South Africa, citing opposition to that country's apartheid policies.

There has been some doubt expressed by Hillman over the sincerity of Parsons ' protest.

It appears that Parsons was mostly apolitical, although he did refer to one of the younger African-American butlers in the Connor household as being " like a brother " to him in an interview.

During this period, Parsons became acquainted with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones.

Prior to Parsons ' departure from The Byrds, he had accompanied the two Rolling Stones to Stonehenge ( along with McGuinn and Hillman ) in the English county of Wiltshire, where Richards had a house near the ancient site.

Immediately after leaving the band, Parsons stayed at Richards ' house and the pair developed a close friendship over the next few years, with Parsons reintroducing the guitarist to country music.

According to Stones ' confidant and close friend of Parsons, Phil Kaufman, the twosome would sit around for hours, playing obscure country records and trading off on various songs with their guitars.