Phil Kaufman (producer)

Last updated

Phil Kaufman
Born (1935-04-26) April 26, 1935 (age 88)
United States
Genres Folk rock, rock, soul, R&B, blues
Occupation(s)Record producer, tour manager, author

Philip C. Kaufman (born April 26, 1935) [1] is an American record producer, tour manager, and author. He has been referred to as one of the most infamous tour managers in music history. Kaufman worked with Gram Parsons, The Rolling Stones, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, Frank Zappa, Hank Williams III, Etta James, among others. [2]

Contents

Early life

Kaufman was born in Oceanside, New York. His father had been involved with show business as his grandfather had done,[ citation needed ] which involved vaudeville and big band. Kaufman joined the Air Force in 1952 and served for four years, which included time in the Korean War with the 37th Bomb Squadron. [3] Kaufman had previously acted in Hollywood, with bit parts in Spartacus , Riot in Juvenile Prison , and Pork Chop Hill , among others, before a felony marijuana smuggling conviction in the mid 1960s.[ citation needed ] He left Terminal Island Prison in 1968. [3]

Managing career

After getting out of prison (where he befriended fellow inmate Charles Manson), he was offered a job driving for Mick Jagger and Marianne Faithfull, who were in Los Angeles at the time for the mixing of Beggars Banquet. [2] [4] [5] [6]

Kaufman's first musical role was as the driver and assistant to The Rolling Stones during the recording of Beggar's Banquet , referred to by Mick Jagger as his "executive nanny." [4] [5]

Through Keith Richards, Kaufman met Gram Parsons, and agreed to tour manage his group The Flying Burrito Brothers, although he had no prior tour managing experience. [4] Kaufman came to the attention of Parsons in 1973 and tried to help him stay away from substance abuse when the singer had formed a duet known as "Gram Parsons and the Fallen Angels". Kaufman was tasked to limit the alcohol intake of Parsons and throw out any drugs smuggled into rooms. It was in July 1973 that Parsons expressed his final wish to Kaufman: to be cremated and buried at Joshua Tree National Monument, where he liked to visit often. Kaufman even had Parsons stay at his house at one point when his relationship with his wife deteriorated (Parsons lived in a spare room). On September 19, 1973, Parsons died of an overdose of morphine and alcohol. Kaufman elected to honor the wishes of Parsons despite the efforts of Parsons' stepfather Bob, who wanted to bury him in New Orleans in a private ceremony; the following day, Kaufman (and assistant Michael Martin) stole the body of Parsons from Los Angeles International Airport and drove it to Joshua Tree in the Cap Rock section of the park. His attempts at cremating the body were not entirely successful. Kaufman poured gallons of gasoline on the casket and threw a lit match, which resulted in partial cremation and a fireball; the remains of Parsons were buried in New Orleans, while Kaufman and Martin were later identified for the theft were thus each given thirty-day suspended jail sentences, fined $300 each for misdemeanor theft and charged $708 for funeral home expenses ($2,055 and 4,850 in 2023). The theft was later chronicled in the film Grand Theft Parsons with Johnny Knoxville playing Kaufman. [2] Kaufman once said that "Dying was a great career move for Gram." [7]

The song "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee?" from Frank Zappa's album Joe's Garage tells the story of Kaufman's "urination problems". [8]

Charles Manson

Kaufman met Charles Manson while they were inmates in Terminal Island Prison. According to Kaufman, a guard taunted Manson that he would never get out; Manson calmly responded by looking up from his guitar and saying, "Get out of where?" [9] [10] : page74  Manson aspired to be a successful singer–songwriter and Kaufman found him to be good company. He thought Manson was a bad guitar player, but capable enough as a singer and songwriter to have a chance of getting a record contract. Before Manson's release Kaufman gave him the name of a friend in the film industry, producer Gary Stromberg at Universal Studios. Kaufman advised Manson to wait a few months after he was released to acclimatize to the outside world, and work on his songs, before contacting Stromberg. Manson promised to take the advice. [10] : pages74-75  [11] [12]

Months after his release, Manson went to see Stromberg with four female devotees. On the recommendation from Kaufman, the producer authorized a studio recording session. Instead of having been prepared as Kaufman suggested, Manson was unfocused and amateurish, making the recording a disappointment. [10] : page124  Kaufman was released the next year, and would spend time living with the Manson Family. According to Kaufman, he has "had sex with more murderers than anyone else in show business." Kaufman later left "the Family," claiming it was because he was "too smart". [4]

Manson Family murder victims Leno and Rosemary LaBianca's home was next door to a house where Kaufman once lived. Members of the Manson Family had attended a party there with Kaufman when still friendly with him. This is the best motive for the LaBianca murders discovered to date; that Manson was sending a signal to Kaufman over his inability or unwillingness to further help Manson's music career by killing his former neighbor. Manson is reported to have killed Sharon Tate and her party as a signal to music producer Terry Melcher who previously rented the Tate residence and had upset Manson over his music endeavors. [13] [14]

Kaufman would later produce and release Manson's album at the height of his notoriety, but found that he could not get anyone to stock Lie: The Love and Terror Cult . [10] : page314 

Personal life

He authored the book Road Mangler Deluxe, an autobiography about his experiences in the music business. [2] As of 2020, Kaufman resides in East Nashville, Tennessee. [3]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gram Parsons</span> American singer-songwriter (1946–1973)

Ingram Cecil Connor III, who was known professionally as Gram Parsons, was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and pianist. He recorded as a solo artist and with the International Submarine Band, the Byrds, and the Flying Burrito Brothers, popularizing what he called "Cosmic American Music", a hybrid of country, rhythm and blues, soul, folk, and rock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Manson</span> American criminal and cult leader (1934–2017)

Charles Milles Manson was an American criminal, cult leader and musician who led the Manson Family, a cult based in California, in the late 1960s. Some of the members committed a series of at least nine murders at four locations in July and August 1969. In 1971, Manson was convicted of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder for the deaths of seven people, including the film actress Sharon Tate. The prosecution contended that, while Manson never directly ordered the murders, his ideology constituted an overt act of conspiracy.

<i>Lie: The Love and Terror Cult</i> 1970 studio album by Charles Manson

Lie: The Love and Terror Cult is the debut studio album by American musician and convicted murderer Charles Manson. It was released on vinyl on March 6, 1970, by Phil Kaufman, through a record label branded Awareness Records. Although not a commercial success, it retains a following among those interested in the Manson case, inspiring many cover versions and samples. The album includes some of Manson's best known songs, including "Look at Your Game, Girl" and "Cease to Exist".

<i>Grand Theft Parsons</i> 2003 American film

Grand Theft Parsons is a 2003 comedy-drama film based on the true story of country rock musician Gram Parsons, who died of an overdose in 1973. Parsons and his road manager, Phil Kaufman, made a pact in life that whoever died first would be cremated by the other in what was then the Joshua Tree National Monument, an area of desert they both loved and cherished.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Patricia Krenwinkel</span> American mass murderer (born 1947)

Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel is an American convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family. During her time with Manson's group, she was known by various aliases such as Big Patty, Yellow, Marnie Reeves and Mary Ann Scott, but to The Family, she was most commonly known as Katie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Atkins</span> Convicted murderer and member of the "Manson family" (1948–2009)

Susan Denise Atkins was an American convicted murderer who was a member of Charles Manson's "Family". Manson's followers committed a series of nine murders at four locations in California over a period of five weeks in the summer of 1969. Known within the Manson family as Sadie Mae Glutz or Sexy Sadie, Atkins was convicted for her participation in eight of these killings, including the most notorious, the Tate murders in 1969. She was sentenced to death, which was subsequently commuted to life imprisonment when the California Supreme Court invalidated all death sentences issued prior to 1972. Atkins was incarcerated until her death in 2009. At the time of her death, she was California's longest-serving female inmate, long since surpassed by fellow Manson family members Leslie Van Houten and Patricia Krenwinkel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leslie Van Houten</span> American convicted murderer (born 1949)

Leslie Louise Van Houten is an American convicted murderer and former member of the Manson Family. During her time with Manson's group, she was known by aliases such as Louella Alexandria, Leslie Marie Sankston, Linda Sue Owens and Lulu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Manson Family</span> Commune and cult in California led by Charles Manson

The Manson Family was a commune, gang, and cult led by criminal Charles Manson that was active in California in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The group consisted of approximately 100 followers, who lived an unconventional lifestyle, frequently using psychoactive drugs, including Benzedrine (amphetamine) and hallucinogens such as LSD. Most were young women from middle-class backgrounds, many of whom were attracted by hippie culture and communal living and then radicalized by Manson's teachings.

<i>Helter Skelter</i> (1976 film) 1976 American television film by Tom Gries

Helter Skelter is a 1976 television film based on the 1974 book by prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry. In the United States, it aired over two nights. In some countries it was shown in cinemas, with additional footage including nudity, foul language, and more violence.

Linda Darlene Kasabian was an American woman known for being a member of the Manson Family, a cult led by Charles Manson in late-1960s–early-1970s California. She was present at both the Tate and LaBianca murders committed by the cult in 1969, but received immunity for her testimony as a key witness in District Attorney Vincent Bugliosi's prosecution of Manson and his followers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tex Watson</span> Manson family member, convicted murderer (born 1945)

Charles Denton "Tex" Watson is an American murderer who was a central member of the "Manson Family" led by Charles Manson. On August 9, 1969, Watson, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Susan Atkins murdered pregnant actress Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent at 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles. The next night, Watson traveled to Los Feliz, Los Angeles, and participated in the murders of Leno and Rosemary LaBianca. Watson was convicted of murder in 1971 and sentenced to death. As a result of a 1972 California Supreme Court decision on the constitutionality in the state of the death penalty, he avoided execution but has remained incarcerated ever since.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pamela Des Barres</span> American rock and roll groupie, writer, musician, and actress

Pamela Des Barres is an American rock and roll groupie, writer, musician, and actress. She is best known for her 1987 memoir, I'm with the Band: Confessions of a Groupie, which details her experiences in the Los Angeles rock music scene of the 1960s and 1970s. She is also a former member of the experimental Frank Zappa-produced music group the GTOs.

<i>Grievous Angel</i> 1974 studio album by Gram Parsons

Grievous Angel is the second and final solo studio album by Gram Parsons, compiled from summer 1973 sessions and released four months after his death from a morphine and alcohol overdose in September 1973. Prominently featuring a young Emmylou Harris, Grievous Angel received great critical acclaim upon release but failed to find commercial success, a fate shared with Parsons’ previous efforts solo and with The Flying Burrito Brothers. Grievous Angel peaked at number 195 on the Billboard charts. Despite its modest sales, it is viewed as a successful example of the hybrid between country and rock and roll Parsons called "Cosmic American Music".

<i>Burrito Deluxe</i> 1970 studio album by The Flying Burrito Brothers

Burrito Deluxe is the second album by the country rock group the Flying Burrito Brothers, released in May 1970 on A&M Records, catalogue 4258. It is the last to feature Gram Parsons prior to his dismissal from the group. It contains the first issued version of the Mick Jagger/Keith Richards-written song "Wild Horses," released almost a year before the Rolling Stones own take on it appeared on Sticky Fingers.

<i>GP</i> (album) 1973 studio album by Gram Parsons

GP is American singer-songwriter Gram Parsons' debut solo album, and the only one released during his lifetime. It was originally released in a gatefold sleeve in 1973. GP received critical acclaim upon release, but failed to reach the Billboard charts. In the original Rolling Stone review, which individually covered both GP and its follow-up, Grievous Angel, the reviewer praises Parsons' vocals and delivery paraphrasing Gram's lyrics, "boy, but he sure can sing".

The Helter Skelter scenario is an apocalyptic vision that was supposedly embraced by Charles Manson and members of his so-called Family. At the trial of Manson and three others for the Tate–LaBianca murders, the prosecution presented it as motivating the crimes and as an aspect of the case for conspiracy. Via interviews and autobiographies, former Family members related what they had witnessed and experienced of it.

Several recordings by Charles Manson and members of his "Family" have been released since Manson was indicted in late 1969 for the murders of Tate and LaBianca.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mary Brunner</span> American convicted criminal

Mary Theresa Brunner is an American criminal and former member of the "Manson Family" who was present during the 1969 murder of Gary Hinman, a California musician and Ph.D. candidate. She was arrested for numerous offenses, including credit card theft and armed robbery, and she served a prison sentence at the California Institution for Women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Death of Gram Parsons</span> Death from overdose of musician

Gram Parsons died on September 19, 1973, in room eight of the Joshua Tree Inn, near Joshua Tree National Park. Encouraged by his road manager Phil Kaufman, Parsons again visited the park after completing his latest recording sessions. Earlier, he had confessed to Kaufman his wish to be cremated and his ashes scattered in the park in case he died.

The Tate–LaBianca murders were a series of murders perpetrated by members of the Manson Family during August 9–10, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, United States, under the direction of Tex Watson and Charles Manson. The perpetrators killed five people on the night of August 8–9: pregnant actress Sharon Tate and her companions Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, and Wojciech Frykowski, along with Steven Parent. The following evening, the Family also murdered supermarket executive Leno LaBianca and his wife, Rosemary, at their home in the Los Feliz section of Los Angeles.

References

  1. ↑ "Phil Kaufman, renowned road manager, celebrates 75th birthday: updated".[ dead link ]
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kaufman, Phil (1998). Road mangler deluxe. Colin White (2nd ed.). Lafayette, Colo.: White Boucke. ISBN   1-888580-08-9. OCLC   39217179.
  3. 1 2 3 Lose, Heather (November 28, 2020). "Phil "The Road Mangler" Kaufman is good in the 'hood". The East Nashvillian. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Rock and Roll's Most Infamous Tour Manager". VICE. Archived from the original on August 9, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Grand Theft Parsons : Phil Kaufman". Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  6. ↑ "Phil Kaufman: Executive Nanny, Corpse-Rustler, Road-Mangler Deluxe". Alternatives to Valium. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  7. ↑ Black, Johnny (September 19, 2017). "How I Stole Gram Parsons' Body". Louder. Retrieved March 28, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Why Does It Hurt When I Pee + Sofa". YouTube . Archived from the original on May 16, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  9. ↑ Charles Manson By Simon Wells
  10. 1 2 3 4 Guinn, Jeff (August 6, 2013). Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson. Simon and Schuster. ISBN   9781451645187.
  11. ↑ Bugliosi, Vincent; Gentry, Curt (1974). Helter Skelter. Arrow Books Limited. ISBN   0-09-997500-9. p199
  12. ↑ London Review of Books, London Review of Books The way out is not through the door Archived January 10, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
  13. ↑ Haring, Bruce (October 18, 2020). "Los Feliz House Where Leno And Rosemary LaBianca Were Slain By Manson Gang Back On Market". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 23, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
  14. ↑ Bruney, Gabrielle (August 25, 2019). "Before orchestrating a series of murders, the cult leader pursued a music career". Esquire . Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved August 8, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.