Robert C. Hunter (June 23, 1941 – September 23, 2019) was an
American lyricist, singer-songwriter, translator, and poet, best known
for his work with the Grateful Dead. Born near San Luis Obispo in
California, Hunter spent some time in his childhood in foster homes, as a
result of his father's abandoning his family, and took refuge in
reading and writing. He attended university in Connecticut for a year
before returning to Palo Alto, where he became friends with Jerry
Garcia. Garcia and Hunter began a collaboration that would last through
the remainder of Garcia's life.
Garcia and others formed the Grateful Dead in 1965, and some time later began working with lyrics that Hunter had written. Garcia invited him to join the band as a lyricist, and Hunter contributed substantially to many of their albums, beginning with Aoxomoxoa in 1969. Over the years Hunter wrote lyrics to a number of the band's signature pieces, including "Dark Star", "Ripple", "Truckin'", "China Cat Sunflower", and "Terrapin Station". Hunter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Grateful Dead in 1994, and is the only non-performer to ever be inducted as a member of a band. Upon his death, Rolling Stone described him as "one of rock's most ambitious and dazzling lyricists."
Garcia and others formed the Grateful Dead in 1965, and some time later began working with lyrics that Hunter had written. Garcia invited him to join the band as a lyricist, and Hunter contributed substantially to many of their albums, beginning with Aoxomoxoa in 1969. Over the years Hunter wrote lyrics to a number of the band's signature pieces, including "Dark Star", "Ripple", "Truckin'", "China Cat Sunflower", and "Terrapin Station". Hunter was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Grateful Dead in 1994, and is the only non-performer to ever be inducted as a member of a band. Upon his death, Rolling Stone described him as "one of rock's most ambitious and dazzling lyricists."
Robert Hunter-(1973)-Roadhog [unreleased]
Robert Hunter-(1974)- Tales of the Great Rum Runners
Robert Hunter-(1975)- Tiger Rose
Robert Hunter-(1977)- Keys To The Rain
Robert Hunter-(1980)- Jack O' Roses
Robert Hunter-(1982)-Promontory Rider
Robert Hunter-(1984)- Amagamalin Street
Robert Hunter-(1985)-Flight Of The Marie Helena
Robert Hunter-(1986)- Rock Columbia
Robert Hunter-(1988)- Liberty
Robert Hunter-(1990)- A Box Of Rain
Robert Hunter-(1993)-Sentinel
