New Riders of the Purple Sage

New Riders of the Purple Sage lyrics

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In 1969, songwriter John Dawson connected with Jerry Garcia, who was looking to practice his new pedal steel guitar. Their classic Americana music became the nucleus for the New Riders of the Purple Sage. Rounding out the band was guitarist David Nelson, Grateful Dead drummer Mickey Hart and Bob Matthews on bass (though later replaced by Phil Lesh and then Dave Torbert). They toured extensively with the Dead and Spencer Dryden took over on drums. Their eponymous first album, loaded with Dawson’s original songs and a distinct psychedelic country sound, was released to widespread acclaim in 1971. With Garcia's busy and conflicting schedule, the talented and innovative Buddy Cage filled the pedal steel spot, and is prominent on their two 1972 releases, Powerglide and Gypsy Cowboy. 1973’s The Adventures of Panama Red went gold, with the title track becoming an FM radio hit. An east coast tour birthed the live album, Home, Home on the Road, which was produced by Garcia. The late ‘70s brought more changes, and by 1982 both Nelson and Cage had departed. Dawson kept it going until he retired to Mexico in 2000. A Lifetime Achievement Award from High Times was bestowed upon them in 2002. Nelson and Cage re-formed the band in 2006, resulting in the studio albums Where I Come From and 17 Pine Avenue. John Dawson passed away in 2009, but the New Riders archive keeps the music and legacy alive, as heard on the 2019 release Thanksgiving In New York City. – Rob Bleetstein nrps.net