Fare you well, Mr. Hunter. We love you more than words can tell...
For a man who provided us with so many meaningful words, the soundtrack to our lives, he's left us a bit speechless with his passing. For more than 50 years, since his first lyrical contributions to the Grateful Dead in 1967, Robert Hunter has been just as integral a part of the legacy of the Grateful Dead as those who recorded the music to accompany his words, those who walked out on stage to bring his words to life. More than 2,000 times 1967-1995, these six (or five or seven) proud walkers on the jingle bell rainbow, plus countless thousands of times since then by other performers, the Grateful Dead have brought Hunter's words to life in front of all of us as their witness. Not a single day has gone by since 1984 that Hunter's words haven't been a part of my world; I've heard Jerry, Bob and others sing his words literally every day for the past 35 years.
When the final Fare Thee Well show ended in Chicago in 2015, Mickey Hart famously sent us on our way by asking us to "please, be kind," and that lesson along with its lyrical brethren written by Hunter, "ain't no time to hate," and "are you kind?" are some of the truest words to live by. No matter what meaning, solace, lesson you find in Hunter's lyrics, please go out and do some good with them.
David Lemieux
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Robert Hunter RIP
Sleep in the stars Mr. Hunter and thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom. Those words will last many lifetimes.
about a man whose words make life more livable each and every day ... whose words hold such deep meaning to so many ... only Hunter could do justice to Hunter. Thank you for all of it.
I saw Robert Hunter either in the very late '70's or early '80's at a small club in Seattle or Spokane. I don't recall which. I do recall that when he strapped on a harmonica, i called out, "Look, it's Bob Dylan!"
He replied, "Don't you wish, hell, don't I wish!"
RIP and get back with Jerry.
Every now and then you come across someone whose words open your eyes and touch your heart. If you're down they pick you up and and point you in the right direction. They bring you beauty and joy -- and yes, sometimes a little sadness too -- and give you hope. Hunter was one of those rare people. Rest in peace old friend.