Robert Hunter - He's Gone, RIP

[mica]

Robert Hunter passed away last night. How can you write about someone whose writing defined an age?
In Rolling Stone, his family released the statement:
“It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night. He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. 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 his is never truly gone.  In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music. Let there be songs to fill the air."

[lbpesq]

Such sad news.  I hadn't heard he was ill.  The man's poetry/lyrics were of a generational quality.  His legacy will endure.
I saw him back in the mid 70's at the Golden Bear in Huntington Beach.   When the show was scheduled to end, he wanted to keep playing.  The venue eventually turned the power off.  Hunter came off the stage with his acoustic guitar, invited everyone to sit in a big circle on the floor, and he sat in the middle and kept playing for us!

In his own words:    May The Four Winds Blow You Safely Home.

Bill, tgo

[cozmik_cowboy]

I consider Hunter and Townes Van Zandt to be the only contenders for the title of Greatest English Language Poet.

This one really hurts.

Peter

[edwardofhuncote]

In the past 5 years especially, I have really come to appreciate and enjoy the music of the Grateful Dead, and had gotten so that I could pick his lyrics out. Poetic doesn't quite go far enough for me... some of those verses I swear stay with you all the time. I was just thinking about "The Wheel" a few minutes ago... it's become something of a theme song for life.


If ever the expression applied; The Music Lives On.

[StephenR]

This is a huge loss! Impossible to put into words how monumentally great his lyrics and contributions to music have been.

One of my favorite Hunter memories is him playing and singing "What's Become of the Baby" for me and a couple of friends in the green room at My Father's Place in Roslyn, NY. This was in 1978 after we asked him about the song and he explained that he envisioned it more along the lines of a Scottish ballad. He also let me play his Martin guitar. Sweet man...

[David Houck]

Thanks for posting the news, Mica.  And thank you Robert Hunter; it's been a long strange trip, and for that I am so very grateful.

[rv_bass]

Fare you well...

[rv_bass]

[the_home]

A loss for a generation that loses more and more of its cultural foundation to an uncomfortable modernity with each passing.

Let there be songs, indeed.

[hammer]

I always knew Hunter was a great lyricist but never realized the degree to which he had mastered his craft until my son bought me Box of Rain a few years ago and I had the chance to read his lyrics on the printed page. I feel lucky to have been part of a generation that was able to not only read his poetry but listen to it performed live by both the Dead and Hunter himself.

[pauldo]

I saw the Dead in the 80’s at Alpine Valley, I am a far stretch from being a Dead Head.  Hearing of Robert Hunter’s passing by Andy Cohen just as I walked in after work.... I had no idea just how many lyrics - great lyrics that he penned.

“If there’s a rock-n-roll heaven...”

[edwin]

When I was 12 in 1973, I found Europe '72 left behind by my little sister's baby sitter. I loved the music, but when I heard the words to China Cat Sunflower, I knew something was different. He was able to express words as a jazz musician does notes, flowing, with evocative imagery, and pure sound. Then, Dark Star and especially What's Become of the Baby really cemented my respect and admiration.

And how can you not love a man who buys retsina by the case, even if he only drinks a half a bottle?

RIP.

[Deltaphoenix]

Such an inspirational writer/artist. I too am not a Dead Head per se but I have always enjoyed and respected Robert's words every since my Dad told me about him.

Fare Thee Well!

[soflbass]

"Just want to have
A little peace to die
And a friend or two
I love at hand"

RIP Robert Hunter...may the 4 winds blow you home

[sonicus]

There is sadness in my heart and a void in that now absolute vacuum , as " Dark Star Crashes , Pouring its Light into Ashes " but eternally illuminating the universe and humanity . Thank you Robert for helping to guide my soul and  for illuminating my path in this dimension of existence . I hope to reconnect with you on the other side . Your Love and Light  with the English language will eternally transcend all forms of expression .