LOS ANGELES -- The Rolling Stones' Keith Richards has signed on to perform at two concerts next month paying tribute to late country-rock pioneer Gram Parsons.
Richards will join a lineup including Norah Jones, Steve Earle, Lucinda Williams and Dwight Yoakam, among others, for Return to Sin City: A Tribute to Gram Parsons, organizers said Monday.
The shows are scheduled July 9 at the Santa Barbara Bowl and July 10 at the Universal Amphitheatre.
Proceeds will benefit the Musicians' Assistance Program, which helps members of the music industry pay for drug and alcohol addiction treatment.
Many consider Parsons, who died in 1973, to be among the first musicians to blend the melodies of country music with the drive of rock 'n' roll.
He never had a hit as a solo performer or during stints with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds and the Flying Burrito Brothers, but his style influenced many who followed, including the Eagles, Elvis Costello and Emmylou Harris.
Daughter Polly Parsons decided to organize the concert tributes following a conversation with Richards two years ago, she said in a statement.
On the Net:
http://www.gramparsonstribute.com
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