Posted on 09/24/2019 1:14:28 PM PDT by Red Badger
Sept. 24 (UPI) -- Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter died Monday night, Rolling Stone first reported. He was 78.
The family of Hunter provided a statement to the New York Times, The Wrap and Rolling Stone.
"He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love," the statement read. "His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand. For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way he is never truly gone."
"Uncle John's Band," "China Cat Sunflower," "Scarlet Begonias," "Box of Rain" and "Dark Star" are among the songs for which Hunter provided lyrics.
Grateful Dead founder Jerry Garcia invited Hunter to play with his jug band in 1961, but Hunter preferred to write, according to Rolling Stone's tribute bio. He took part in LSD studies at Stanford and sent Garcia lyrics from the Southwest before moving to San Francisco, where Hunter became the official Grateful Dead lyricist.
In an interview published as an Amazon Kindle ebook in 2015, Hunter said he usually wrote the lyrics first. In unusual cases like "Foolish Heart" and "Uncle John's Band," he wrote lyrics after he heard the melody.
Hunter also wrote songs with Bob Dylan from 1980 to 2009. He reunited with Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart to write new music and collaborated with Elvis Costello, Bruce Hornsby, and Jim Lauderdale.
True I forget that.....
Never got the Grateful Dead music either.
For literally 49 years, I have been reciting those lines to myself to get me through all sorts of tough times.
Rest in peace, Mr. Hunter.
The transitive nightfall of diamonds...
the opening segment of Dark Star on the Live/Dead album, recorded live at the Alembic Studios (IIRC) is, in my most humble opinion, the very quintessence of non-classical music endeavor...
Another one gone...
This band probably had the most loyal followers of any. They had an almost religious fanbase. I was never crazy about them like that but I did enjoy a lot of their music and I saw clearly their talent.
None of these bands are my generation but I never was much for my own. I grew up in the 1980’s=1990’s and I did enjoy that period. The 80’s were great, but once that all ended I lost interest. I love the Stones, and all the classic rock bands and even all the way back to the 40’s and 50’s. I still see teenagers walking around with Stones, Dead, Zeppelin, Floyd, etc. shirts on.
I think the continuing popularity of the continuing popularity of these older bands is because modern music is so awful.
Didn’t he write CSN’s “Wooden Ships”?
RIP.
I remember when Jerry died. I heard it announced on the car radio on my way to a gig at a Nursing Home. I sand, impromptu, “Uncle John’s Band” and “Ripple”. The elders LOVED it. They thought they were Classic Folk Songs, and were surprised when I shared that these were by The Grateful Dead.
They seemed to like the songs more than the “sing-a-long” stuff I was hired to do.
Definitely unique lyrics -- some people call it the Contradiction Song ;-)
‘True I forget that.....’ a great song alright; my favorite was Dark Star...and there is a fine ten minute backing track to Dark Star in A mixolydian (A major with a lowered seventh) out there; if you play guitar, banjo or mandolin check it out and pretend to be on stage...
‘Definitely unique lyrics’
Ripple in still water
when there is no pebble tossed
nor wind to blow...
haiku perfection...
☺
☺
Promontory Rider, Territory Ranger.
Promontory Rider, whats makes you ride so high?
Put a loving star back in an empty sky.
“He took part in LSD studies at Stanford”
That’s worth something.....
Now I don't know
But I've been told
It's hard to run with a weight of gold
On the other hand
I've heard it said
It's just as har with a weight of lead
--New Speedway Boogie
'Till we all fall down, it'll do you fine,
Don't think about what you left behind
The way you came or the way you go
Let your tracks be lost in the dark and snow
--Till the Morning Comes
Absolutely one of the finest lyricists in pop music history
Glad to see you again!
I saw them three times in San Francisco in 1969-70 and once in Philadelphia in 1989.
‘Modern’ music is whining and synthesized vocals that don’t resemble anything human..............
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