Robert Hunter unfortunately has died

Yes, but some are more unfortunate than others. 

Isn't it always unfortunate when someone dies?

I was fortunate enough to see him play live one time. He opened for the Dead during one of their shows in the early 2000's. Took my oldest with me to that show. We had a real good time.  

It is bitter sweet to hear of Robert Hunter’s passing. He may have been the most under appreciated lyricists in rock music, of coarse that was not the case with us Dead Heads.

I remember when a friend turned me on to his solo acoustic album Jack O’ Roses. His voice is an acquired taste but he really had a unique way of presenting his songs in their entirety, Jerry was know for being a brutal editor of his lyrics, and this album showcases that.

He opens the album with a wonderful reading of Box of Rain. If you are a fan of Stagger Lee he introduces you to an expanded version here but the pinnacle moments of the album are the entire Terrapin Station Suite, it includes three additions Ivory Wheels/Rosewood Track and Jack Jack O’ Roses which added even more depth to this wonderful and tragic love story.

Granted this album is for the most devoted fans and many people did not like his solo work. Another excellent musical partner with Hunter was David Freiberg, who was and still is with Jefferson Starship.

One of Hunter’s greatest song he every written was on a now obscure Paul Kantner/ Grace Slick/David Freiberg solo record called " Baron Von Toll Booth and the Chrome Nun.: This is a wonderful record and has always been prized in my collection, It is basically a Bay Area jam collective featuring many great musicians and songs.It is sort of the Haight’s last great effort after they all left the city.

I once met Grace Slick and asked he about this beloved record and sadly she could not remember a thing because as she told me " I was drunk the entire time"...oh well.

The amazing and powerful song that I am referring to is called " Harp Tree Lament." David sings it and had much more vocal range than anyone in the Dead and Kantner, Slick and others provide wonderful harmonies.

This is the epitome of classic Hunter song, one reaching back in time and conjuring up mystical metaphors and unknown quests for peace and redemption.

Harp Tree Lament

What would it gain me
If I was to go?
Like Jacob of old
To the well of the world
To wax halls where candles
Burn on through the day
To light you a path
So you’d never lose your way

I was down in the valley
Where the shadows are long
The birds in the harp tree
Were singing this song

There is time to deliver
Time to receive
All that you’re lacking
Of whatever you need

Turn around, by the by
You’ll still see the sea
As it was in the dawning
As it always will be

Raise up your bottles
And drink down the blood
You planted the vine here
In spite of the flood

Turn an ear to the harp tree
An eye to the wall
The songs in the singing
Or nowhere at all
No where to come from
No place to retire
No shelter nowhere
Except in the fire

The birds in the harp tree
Can finish their song
Then rest in its branches
Which is where they belong

But where can a man go
That’s sweet to his soul
When his time is not ready
But he’s still turning old

Here’s a dream for the piper
And a tune for his lady
Outside the thin wall
The waves are still raging

Here’s one for the harp tree
And one for his song
One for the morning
When the night was too long

Here’s one for the candle
That lights you to bed
And one for the sword
That hangs over your head

I was lucky to see Hunter on his last East Coast tour back in 2013 in this little place in Stafford Springs, CT. Hunter had attended UCONN, so it was an extra special sort of homecoming. He was in great spirits and delivered an stellar performance, 24 songs played! He even walked through the crowd outside the venue to his car after the show... beaming of coarse.

We will always be grateful Robert.

And I like the Band. I have all their albums on vinyl

So The Band, without Dylan, would have been playing between periods of a junior hockey league in Canada 

Just to continue my rant. If you you don't like the GDs harmonies, don't listen to them. Not a big deal. You want good harmonies listen to Up Up With People. Where would the Dead be without RH? Where would Hendrix be without Dylan? Where would Clapton be with (pick an artist)? Both great in their own right. But...
The Band ? Again where would they be without Dylan? And Dylan has such a great singing voice. I'm sure he would have stolen American Idol 

Wow, an artist died and we argue about him. Every artist has their advocates and their detractors. I enjoyed him solo and especially with the work he did with Jerry and The Dead. I feel the OP was just paying his respects. If you disagree, it would be appropriate to keep it to yourself or start a new post yourself.  If you feel the need to find particular faults with the deceased,  you probably shouldn't go to a funeral

Good to read these (mostly) gracious words about Robert Hunter.
His words and the Dead’s music are woven into the fabric of many lives.

Reach out your hand if your cup be empty
If your cup is full may it be again
Let it be known there is a fountain
That was not made by the hands of men

Let there be songs to fill the air

Take Robert Hunter's lyrics out of the Grateful Dead's success story and it would be very interesting to see how things would have turned out.

Try American Beauty. Sweet harmony.

Such a long long time to be gone 
And a short time to be there

Fare Thee Well 😢

If he would have only written "Attics of my Life"....it would have been enough.

"
In the attics of my life
Full of cloudy dreams; unreal
Full of tastes no tongue can know
And lights no eye can see
When there was no ear to hear
You sang to me
I have spent my life
Seeking all that’s still unsung
Bent my ear to hear the tune
And closed my eyes to see
When there were no strings to play
You played to meIn the book of love’s own dreams
Where all the print is blood
Where all the pages are my days
And all my lights grow oldWhen I had no wings to fly
You flew to me
You flew to meIn the secret space of dreams
Where I dreaming lay amazed
When the secrets all are told
And the petals all unfold
When there was no dream of mine
You dreamed of me

"

The Dead versus The Band is an interesting topic for a different thread.

Dead fans are defensive because insults, direct or implied, just mean that they’re not seeing the whole picture and don’t get it. They were to prolific on every front for any nit-pic to stand. Depth and soul doesn’t come from having an “America Idol” voice.

bdp24, you are a rude a** for your posts in this memorial thread for the passing of Robert Hunter and are in bad taste. you’ve touted this “the singing voice is everything, therefore the Dead are inferior to the Band” BS before (at lest I’m pretty sure that was you). This is the wrong thread bro. Take your opinion elsewhere.

And this thought that they were trying to copy The Band is hogwash. Half of those song were written before the Band released that album or anyone knew what was coming. The Dead were on their own trip on Mickey’s ranch and working some of that stuff up simultaneously.

Fare Thee Well to one of the top lyricists in the world...whom to many will never be match.

The Dead will never die.

I apologize if I misinterpreted what you said. 

Ouch!
Very ouch......

@bdp24, sad little person you are, doubt you have the capacity to learn, but you should try.

Whatever, bdp24

For anyone wanting to hear some Robert Hunter lyrics put to good tunes and sung by a good singer, RH collaborated with Jim Lauderdale on the 2004 album Headed For The Hills. Not as good as some of Lauderdale's other albums, but good enough.

He was certainly the "silent" member of (IMO) the greatest rock band of my lifetime. To see that list of songs is just incredible. Thanks Andrew.

Had to play 

"In the Dark"

Tonight.

In memorium

As a ’active’ Deadhead in the 70’s, very sad news indeed. To me the Dead died when Jerry did, but those two together were an awesome duo. Now both gone.

Great list Andrew.

Thank you for all your lovely words Robert Hunter. Fare Thee Well...
❤️⚡️🥀
Alabama Getaway
Alligator
Althea
Attics of My Life
Believe it or Not
Bertha
Bird Song
Black Muddy River
Black Peter
Blues for Allah
Box of Rain
Brokedown Palace
Brown Eyed Women
Built to Last
Candyman
Casey Jones
China Cat Sunflower
China Doll
Clementine
Comes a Time
Corinna
Cosmic Charlie
Crazy Fingers
Cumberland Blues
Dark Star
Day Job
Days Between
Deal
Dire Wolf
Doin That Rag
Dupree’s Diamond Blues
Easy Answers
Easy Wind
The Eleven
Eyes of the World
Fire on the Mountain
Foolish Heart
Franklin’s Tower
Friend of the Devil
Greatest Story Ever Told
Help on the Way
Here Comes Sunshine
He’s Gone
High Time
If I Had the World to Give
It Must Have Been the Roses
Jack Straw
Lazy River Road
Liberty
Loose Lucy
Loser
Mason’s Children
Might As Well
Mississippi Half Step
Mission in the Rain
Mountains of the Moon
Mr. Charlie
New Speedway Boogie
Playin in the Band
Ramble on Rose
Ripple
Rosemary
Row Jimmy
Rubin and Cherise
Samba in the Rain
Scarlet Begonias
Shakedown Street
Ship of Fools
So Many Roads
Stagger Lee
Standing on the Moon
Stella Blue
St. Stephen
Sugaree
Sugar Magnolia
Silvio
Tennessee Jed
Terrapin Station
They Love Each Other
Til the Morning Comes
To Lay Me Down
Touch of Grey
Truckin’
Uncle John’s Band
U.S. Blues
Wave to the Wind
West LA Fadeaway
Wharf Rat
What’s Become Of The Baby
Wheel
When Push Comes to Shove

Let us not forget how important this man was to probably 2 generations of music lovers. I was not turned onto music and the inner peace that it brought until I saw them play for the first time. He was just as vital as Jerry. I reflect with great joy of what he brought to me. Thank you Mr. Hunter for all that you did. Shall your kind words continue to bridge the crossroads of different ages.

He was an important part of the Dead!

RIP Hunter

Terry Grose on NPr played part of an interview she did with him today. What a cool guy. I think she said the whole interview was from 1988. Excellent dude

RIP, quirky, original artist in his own right, let alone with his massive contribution to The Dead.

The Dead without him would make for a wonderful alternate "Its a Wonderful life" story.

I saw him live solo in college a few times. He was the man who helped put the Dead on the map.

"grateful" Dead?

Sorry couldn't resist....

A great lyricist and soul.  R.I.P.

Rip sir!