Flying Burrito Brothers

"It's not the chart position or sales that count. It's the influence and legacy."

The Flying Burrito Brothers began after Gram Parsons and Chris Hillman left The Byrds in 1968 and began writing songs together. They brought in Pete Kleinow and Chris Ethridge.

Signed to A&M Records in 1969. 

A&M Records held a listening party for the release of The Gilded Palace of Sin in March 1969. The invitations contained packets of hay. The U.S. Postal Service tested the hay for drugs. No drugs were found but the story made the news, creating more promotion for the band and the album. Gilded Palace sold about 40,000 copies between February and August 1969 and peaked at #164 on the Billboard 200 album chart. The album cover is considered iconic as the band wore hand-embroidered Nudie Cohn suits. 

In September 1969, Chris Ethridge left the band. Bernie Leadon joined the group and Chris Hillman switched instruments to the bass. 

Burrito Deluxe was released in April 1970. Gram Parsons went solo after the album's release. Rick Roberts replaced Parsons. In Toronto, Canada the Burrito Deluxe album was supported by two concert dates and radio ads plugging them.

Flying Burrito Brothers, the band's third album, was ranked #192 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. At the time it only hit #176 on the Billboard 200. In July 1971 Bernie Leadon and Pete Kleinow bowed out with Kenny Wertz and Al Perkins replacing them. Byron Berline and Roger Bush joined the group in concert.

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^{Flying Burrito Brothers Nudie Suits photo by Jim McCrary}

The Last Of the Red Hot Burritos album was a live set released in May 1972. It peaked at #171.

The Flying Burrito Brothers disbanded in 1973.

NUDIE SUITS

The Burrito Brothers used a portion of their signing money from A&M Records to buy their Nudie suits. Nudie Cohn began as a tailor making custom suits. He was the first to put rhinestones on clothing. Known as The Rhinestone Cowboy, he made custom embroidered and rhinestone studded apparel that reflected each buyer's interest. The Burritos' suits were edgy, blending the western motifs Nudie was famous for with the 1960's pop culture. Nudie found himself with a clientele that ranged from John Wayne to Elvis Presley to Elton John. Of the Burritos suits, the one most often talked about was Gram Parsons because it incorporated marijuana leaves into its design.

^{Flying Burrito Brothers Nudie Suits to Country Music Hall of Fame}

OFFICIAL PROMOTION BY A&M RECORDS

Sleepless Nights New Music On A&M Records
20th Century Masters press release

Official biographies:

Hot Burritos: the True Story of the Flying Burrito Brothers. John Einarson, Chris Hillman.

Time Between: My Life As a Byrd, Burrito Brother and Beyond. Chris Hillman.