Parker And The Wildest Party In L.A. History: Every Kind Of Blow You Can Imagine
In 1952, Los Angeles would play host to one of jazz genius Charlie Parker‘s wildest exploits. The New York–based musician was in L.A. for some club gigs, even as his health was rapidly declining — fat, and alternately strung out on heroin or in the throes of withdrawal, he nursed his pain with alcohol binges. He went hard until the end. When Parker died in 1955 from a bleeding ulcer and liver disease, the coroner estimated his body to be between 50 and 60 years of age. He was 34. But not even Parker could have anticipated what unfolded in the early hours of July 15 at Zorthian’s Ranch — an artists commune high up in the foothills above Altadena in northern Los Angeles. Details here.
