Robert Hunter (lyricist) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Hunter
Robert Hunter, 2013
Background information
Birth name	Robert Burns
Born	(1941-06-23)June 23, 1941 Arroyo Grande, California, U.S.
Died	September 23, 2019(2019-09-23) (aged 78) San Rafael, California, U.S.
Genres	Folk bluegrass country rock and roll blues
Occupation(s)	Musician singer songwriter poet translator
Instruments	Guitar vocals mandolin
Years active	1961–2019
Labels	Relix Records Dark Star Records Round Records
Associated acts	Grateful Dead Bob Dylan Comfort Larry “Mad Dog” Klein

Robert C. Christie Hunter (born Robert Burns; June 23, 1941 – September 23, 2019) was an American writer, singer, and poet. He is best known for writing songs for the band Grateful Dead. Robert Hunter was born in Arroyo Grande, California. As a child, he loved reading and writing. He later became friends with Jerry Garcia in Palo Alto. Their friendship led to a long-lasting music partnership.

In 1965, Jerry Garcia and others formed the Grateful Dead. Hunter began writing lyrics for their songs. He joined the band as their main lyricist. Hunter wrote many famous songs for them. These include "Dark Star", "Ripple", and "Truckin'". In 1994, Hunter was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Grateful Dead. He was the only non-performer to be honored as a band member. Rolling Stone magazine called him "one of rock's most amazing lyricists" when he passed away.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Robert Hunter was born on June 23, 1941, in Arroyo Grande, California. He was a great-great-grandson of the famous poet Robert Burns. When Hunter was seven, his father left the family. He spent some years living with other families. During this time, he found comfort in books. He even wrote a 50-page fairy tale before he turned 11. His mother later married Norman Hunter, and Robert took his stepfather's last name. Norman Hunter, a publisher, taught Robert about writing.

Hunter went to high school in Palo Alto. He learned to play several musical instruments. His family moved to Connecticut, where he attended the University of Connecticut. He played trumpet in a band called the Crescents. After a year, Hunter returned to Palo Alto. He joined the National Guard and served for a year.

Back in Palo Alto, Hunter met Jerry Garcia. Hunter was 19 and Garcia was 18. They started performing music together as a duo called "Bob and Jerry." This group did not last long. However, Hunter and Garcia remained good friends. Garcia became involved with bluegrass bands. Hunter sometimes played mandolin with them. But he was more interested in writing songs. Recordings of Hunter and Garcia playing together were later released on albums like Folk Time (2016).

Working with the Grateful Dead

Hunter performing in the early 1980s

While in New Mexico, Hunter wrote lyrics for three songs. These songs were "China Cat Sunflower," "St. Stephen," and "Alligator." They later became popular songs for the Grateful Dead. In 1965, Garcia and his friends formed the Grateful Dead. They started by playing songs by other artists. Soon, they began creating their own music. They used Hunter's lyrics for "Alligator."

The band then invited Hunter to join them in San Francisco as their lyricist. He joined the Grateful Dead at a concert. There, he wrote the lyrics for "Dark Star." Hunter and Garcia worked together on every song for the album Aoxomoxoa. This album included "China Cat Sunflower," which became a lasting part of the Grateful Dead's shows. Hunter's role in the band grew. He became an official non-performing member.

After Aoxomoxoa, the band's style changed. They started playing more Americana and country music. This new sound was heard on their albums American Beauty and Workingman's Dead. This period produced some of their most famous songs. These include "Cumberland Blues," "Box of Rain," and "Sugar Magnolia." Many of these songs, written by Hunter, became classic folk songs.

The band created songs in different ways. Sometimes, Hunter wrote lyrics first, and the band added music. Other times, he wrote lyrics to music already created. Sometimes, they all worked together. Hunter's main work with the Grateful Dead was with Jerry Garcia. Their songs were based on friendship and shared experiences. Hunter also worked with other band members. But he later decided to work only with Garcia. They wrote many songs together for 25 years. Hunter was known for not wanting the band's songs to be used for commercials. After Garcia passed away in 1995, the Grateful Dead stopped performing.

Other Music Projects

Hunter at the Newport Folk Festival, 2014

After the Grateful Dead disbanded, Hunter continued his writing career. He wrote new songs with other musicians. These included Jim Lauderdale, Elvis Costello, and Bruce Hornsby. He sometimes performed his own songs playing acoustic guitar. In 2004, he opened for "the Dead," a group made of former Grateful Dead members.

Hunter also wrote many songs with David Nelson. These songs appeared on the New Riders of the Purple Sage albums Where I Come From (2009) and 17 Pine Avenue (2012). He wrote "Cyclone" for Bruce Hornsby's album Levitate in 2009. Hornsby said he always loved Hunter's writing. He felt that Garcia/Hunter songs were "timeless."

Hunter worked with Bob Dylan several times. He helped write songs on Dylan's albums Down in the Groove (1988) and Together Through Life (2009). He also co-wrote "Duquesne Whistle" for Dylan's 2012 album Tempest. Dylan said they could write many songs together if they wanted. Hunter also co-wrote songs for Jim Lauderdale's albums. He enjoyed working with Lauderdale because they both liked to write quickly.

In 2010, Hunter co-wrote "All My Bridges Burning" for the band Los Lobos. He also wrote lyrics for 7 Walkers' first album. In 2012, Hunter co-wrote songs for the Mickey Hart Band's albums. Mickey Hart said Hunter's lyrics could explain things that were hard to understand. Hunter also co-wrote four songs for Little Feat's album Rooster Rag in 2012.

Awards and Impact

When the Grateful Dead were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, Robert Hunter was included. He was the only non-performer to receive this honor as a band member. In 2013, Hunter received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Americana Music Association. He performed his song "Ripple" at the event.

In 2015, Hunter and Jerry Garcia were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hunter accepted his award. Garcia's daughter, Trixie Garcia, accepted for her father. Hunter performed "Ripple" again. He said his favorite line he ever wrote was from "Ripple": Let it be known there is a fountain that was not made by the hands of men. He told Rolling Stone that he truly believed this line.

The New York Times said Hunter's lyrics "helped define the Grateful Dead." Fans of the band loved to study his lyrics. His songwriting style was very literary. It made the Grateful Dead's music different from other popular music. The Los Angeles Times compared his lyrics to those of Bob Dylan. They said Hunter explored the unique feelings of the American spirit. Hunter was the only writer to work so closely with Dylan. Dylan said Hunter had "a way with words." Hunter usually did not explain his lyrics and avoided interviews.

Dennis McNally, who wrote a history of the Grateful Dead, said the band became great after Hunter became their main lyricist. McNally noted that while Garcia was a great guitarist, his lyrics were simple. Many of the Grateful Dead's early lyrics were not very deep. Hunter and Garcia's teamwork created many of the band's best songs. These include "Ripple" and "Brokedown Palace." Rolling Stone called Hunter "one of rock's most ambitious and dazzling lyricists." His lyrics were as important to the band as Jerry Garcia's singing and guitar playing.

Personal Life and Passing

Robert Hunter married artist Maureen Hunter in 1982. They had three children together. Hunter passed away at his home in San Rafael, California, on September 23, 2019. He had recently had surgery. After his passing, many musicians shared their tributes. These included his former bandmates from the Grateful Dead.

Solo Albums

These are albums Robert Hunter recorded as a solo artist:

• Tales of the Great Rum Runners (1974)
• Tiger Rose (1975)
• Alligator Moon (1978 – unreleased)
• Jack O'Roses (1980)
• Promontory Rider: A Retrospective Collection (1982)
• Amagamalin St. (1984)
• Live '85 (1985)
• Flight of the Marie Helena (1985)
• Rock Columbia (1986)
• Liberty (1987)
• Rilke: Duino Elegies (1988)
• A Box of Rain (1991)
• Sentinel [spoken word] (1993)

Some Songs He Wrote

• "Thunder' "

See Also

In Spanish: Robert Hunter (artista) para niños

• Long Strange Trip, a 2017 documentary about the Grateful Dead