The Indelible Stamp of Robert Hunter
Feature image courtesy of Jay Blakesburg
Just how important WAS Robert Hunter to the Grateful Dead and their catalog? Consider this: he co-wrote every song on Aoxomoxoa and Workingman’s Dead and most of the songs on American Beauty, Europe ’72, Wake of the Flood, From the Mars Hotel, and Blues for Allah.
He was responsible, primarily with Jerry Garcia, for penning such anthems as “Alligator” (his first contribution, on Anthem of the Sun), “China Cat Sunflower,” “Casey Jones,” “Shakedown Street,” “Dark Star,” “Terrapin Station,” “Touch of Grey,” “Playing in the Band,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “St. Stephen,” “Ripple,” and “Eyes of the World.”
And that just scratches the surface. Hunter also had eight albums to his name, notably Tales of the Great Rum Runners and Tiger Rose, and he is the only non-performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when the Dead were so honored in 1994.
Hunter later worked with many other artists, including Jim Lauderdale, David Nelson, Steve Kimock, Rob Barraco, Little Feat, Mickey Hart, 7 Walkers, and Pete Sears. Most notably he collaborated with Bob Dylan on three albums, writing all but one of the songs on Dylan’s 2009 album Together Through Life.
Hunter passed away Monday, September 23, 2019, at the age of 78. His stamp on our music is indelible.
This incredible link lists 482 songs he wrote and/or recorded!