Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead dies

Robert Hunter, the lyricist who gave the Grateful Dead much of its grace and literary heft, has died. He was 78.

“It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night,” Hunter’s family said Sept. 24. “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.”

Hunter’s many classic lyrics for the Dead included those for the songs “Touch of Grey,” “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones,” “Friend of the Devil,” “Playing in the Band,” “St. Stephen” and “Ripple.”

He wrote the band’s signature line, “What a long, strange trip it’s been,” for “Truckin'” His favorite Dead line was said to be, “Let it be known there is a fountain that was not made by the hands of men” (“Ripple”).

“The Grateful Dead was his canvas and together we made magic,” said Dead percussionist Mickey Hart. “There was nobody like Bob Hunter, and there never will be. A visionary wordsmith extraordinaire.”

Hunter’s other collaborators included Bob Dylan, Jim Lauderdale, Elvis Costello, Bruce Hornsby and David Nelson. With Dylan he wrote “Duquesne Whistle” (on “Tempest”) and much of the “Together Through Life” album.

Hunter played bluegrass and jug band music with a young Jerry Garcia. His first lyrics for the Dead were incorporated into the “China Cat Sunflower”/”The Eleven” suite, the words reportedly written while on LSD. He then wrote “Dark Star” with Garcia in 1967 and began the long official association with the band.

“Though Bob Weir’s words for ‘The Other One” would endure, most of the band’s early verbal efforts would not; it was Hunter’s work that would elevate their songs from ditties to rich, complete stories set to song,” the Dead’s web site has said of Hunter’s work.

In most cases, he said, he wrote the lyrics and presented them to the group for composition. He effortlessly blended Americana with the ’60s hippie aesthetic and hints of old-world mysticism.

A “heartbroken” Dead bassist Phil Lesh said: “His lyrics, ranging from old border ballads to urban legend, western narratives and beyond, brought into sharp focus what was implicit in our music.” Lesh and Hunter collaborated on “Box of Rain,” one of the band’s most-loved songs.

Singer-guitarist Bob Weir of the Dead said: “If I’m gonna count my blessings, Robert Hunter and his imagination are gonna be at the top of that list.”

Hunter’s off-and-on solo career produced several albums and the occasional performance. He published a half dozen volumes of his poetry.

He was inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame (along with the late Garcia) and, with the Dead, into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Along with Procol Harum’s Keith Reid, he was one of the few lyricists considered non-performing members of major rock bands.

Hunter mounted a solo tour in 2013 in order to pay medical bills. Previous performances include support for the Dead 2002-2004 and the “Into the Blue” tour of 2002.

Hunter recorded solo albums for Round Records, Relix Records and Ryko Disc. “Box of Rain” chronicled his 1990 solo acoustic guitar tour. His books include “Box of Rain” (1990) and “Glass Lunch” (1997).

Hunter’s birth name was Robert Burns. He reportedly was related to the famed Scottish poet of the same name.

No cause of death was given. He is survived by his wife, Maureen, who was with the poet when he died.

Photo: Brian Gatens