Remembering Robert Hunter: A Tribute to the Legendary Lyricist of the Grateful Dead
On September 23, 2019, lyricist Robert Hunter passed away at the age of 78 in his home in San Rafael, California. Hunter was widely recognized for his collaboration with the iconic band, the Grateful Dead. He started working with the band early on in their career and contributed to many of their albums, beginning with "Aoxomoxoa" in 1969. Some of the band's most famous songs, such as "Ripple," "Terrapin Station," "Sugar Magnolia," "Box of Rain," "Dark Star," and "Truckin'," were either written or co-written by Hunter.
After the passing of Jerry Garcia and the disbanding of the Grateful Dead, Hunter continued his songwriting journey by collaborating with other artists like Bruce Hornsby and Elvis Costello. In recognition of his significant contributions to music, Hunter was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 alongside the Grateful Dead. Additionally, he and Garcia were honored with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015.
In memory of Robert Hunter's legacy and his profound impact on the music industry, his work with the Grateful Dead and other artists continues to resonate with fans and musicians alike.