LA Autry Blog

Album jacket (front), The Gilded Palace of Sin, 1969. Barry Feinstein, photographer, Tom Wilkes, art director. Autry National Center; 2012.7.1.3

The Flying Burrito Brothers’ 1969 album The Gilded Palace of Sin features band members decked out in suits made by Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors of North Hollywood, California. The exquisitely tailored and embellished outfits contrast nicely with the shack and wood debris in this Joshua Tree National Park setting. The image, thanks to the vision of Grammy-winning art director Tom Wilkes and photographer Barry Feinstein, captures the early country-rock convergence represented by the band’s music. As with much of the clothing coming out of  Nudie’s shop, the jackets, pants, and shirts are a reflection of the people who wore them and the times in which they were created.

The Autry’s Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive contains designs and/or order forms for the outfits featured on the front and back of The Gilded Palace of Sin.

Gram Parsons

Gram Parsons wore a suit that is famously, or infamously, decorated with poppies, pills, marijuana leaves, and a large cross that almost pulsates outward from the back. The suit is now in the collections of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. To see Parsons modeling the suit, follow the link to the now iconic images shot by Jim McCrary, chief photographer for A&M Records at the time the album was produced.

Sketch and notes for Gram Parsons suit. Nudie’s Rodeo
Tailors Archive, Autry National Center; T94-293-2

Chris Hillman

Band member Chris Hillman generously donated the suit he wore on The Gilded Palace of Sin to the Autry in 2002. With the passing of Chris Etheridge earlier this year, Hillman is the only surviving band member.

Jacket, front, 1968. Donated by Mr. Chris Hillman.
Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive, Autry National Center; 2002.10.1.1

Jacket, back, 1968. Donated by Mr. Chris Hillman.
Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive, Autry National Center; 2002.10.1

Sketch and notes for Chris Hillman suit. Nudie’s Rodeo
Tailors Archive, Autry National Center; 95.6.6.929

Pants, front, 1968. Donated by Mr. Chris Hillman.
Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive, Autry National Center; 2002.10.1.2

Peter “Sneeky Pete” Kleinow

Sketches found in the Peter Kleinow files. Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive,
Autry National Center; T94-293-2

Chris Ethridge

Customer order form for Chris Ethridge. Nudie’s Rodeo Tailors Archive,
Autry National Center; 95.6.6.61

A gorgeous black-and-white image of the Gilded Palace of Sin Nudie suits hanging on a rack in the A&M studios can be found on Jim McCrary’s website.

Just arrived, new Libraries and Archives of the Autry acquisition! The Gilded Palace of Sin by Bob Proehl; Continuum, 2008.

Album jacket (back), The Gilded Palace of Sin, 1969. Barry Feinstein, photographer, Tom Wilkes, art director. Autry National Center; 2012.7.1.3