Chris Ethridge, R.I.P.

The Flying Burrito Brothers, circa 1969: clockwise from top right, Chris Ethridge (d. 2012), Chris Hillman, "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow (d. 2007) and Gram Parsons (d. 1973).

Chris Ethridge, a founding member of the country rock pioneers The Flying Burrito Brothers, has died. He died in Mississippi of complications from pancreatic cancer; he was 65.

He played bass and piano on the Burritos’ The Gilded Palace of Sin debut album in 1969, co-writing a few songs with singer Gram Parsons, including “Hot Burrito No. 1.”

After leaving the Flying Burrito Brothers in 1969, Ethridge worked with Linda Ronstadt, Ry Cooder and Randy Newman, among others. He also spent several years as a member of Willie Nelson’s band.

Read an obituary of Chris Ethridge in the Los Angeles Times

MP3: “Hot Burrito #1” by The Flying Burrito Brothers