Phil Kaufman

Who is Phil Kaufman?

Philip C. Kaufman is an American Record Producer, Tour Manager, and Author, best known for stealing the body of Country musician Gram Parsons, and burning it in Joshua Tree National Forest. This was later chronicled in the 2003 film Grand Theft Parsons, with Johnny Knoxville portraying Kaufman. Phil is the author of the book Road Mangler Deluxe, an autobiography about his experiences in the Music Business. During his career Kaufman worked with The Rolling Stones, Gram Parsons, Emmylou Harris, Joe Cocker, Frank Zappa, Hank Williams 3, Etta James, and many more. Kaufman currently resides in Nashville, TN.

Kaufman's career in Music started as a driver and assistant to The Rolling Stones during the recording of Beggar's Banquet, referred to by Mick Jagger as his "executive nanny".

Kaufman had previously acted in Hollywood, with bit parts in Spartacus, Riot in Juvenile Prison, Pork Chop Hill, and more, before a felony marijuana smuggling conviction in the mid '60s. After getting out of prison, Kaufman 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.