Robert Hunter, the lyricist/songwriter that helped craft several songs in the Grateful Dead catalog of material, has died at 78. Born Robert Burns in 1941, Hunter befriended Jerry Garcia and was in bluegrass groups with the future Grateful Dead lead guitarist. Hunter's contribution to the group's albums were judged to be so significant that he got inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame as a member of the Dead in 1994, becoming the only non-performing inductee of a band to date to enter the Hall.
Songs Hunter co-wrote for the Dead include:
Truckin'
Playing in the Band
Casey Jones
Touch of Grey
Uncle John's Band
Ripple
Box of Rain
Friend of the Devil
China Cat Sunflower
Jack Straw
Dark Star
Franklin's Tower