Parsons film opens at rock fest

Those who missed the star-studded Gram Parsons tribute concert last month can get an even more comprehensive look at his life and legacy on the opening night of Don’t Knock the Rock, with the West Coast premiere of “Graham Parsons: Fallen Angel.”

The documentary features interviews from Pamela Des Barres, Keith Richards, collaborators Chris Hillman and Paul Surratt, family members and more, and examines the country/rock icon’s prolific career and bizarre death.

“It’s such a perfect film to open with this year,” says festival founder Allison Anders. “Parsons and Chris Hillman met right in the neighborhood of the Arclight at a bank and so began their amazing collaboration.

“What’s so wonderful in Parson’s music is the full embrace of American music: folk, blues, country and rock. In Parsons, you get it all, and a serious sweet heartache thrown in too.”

*

-- Lina Lecaro