New Riders of The Purple Sage
Formed in 1969, the New Riders Of The Purple Sage was initially envisaged as a part-time spin-off from the Grateful Dead. Group members Jerry Garcia (b. Jerome John Garcia, 1 August 1942, San Francisco, California, USA, d. 9 August 1995, Forest Knolls, California, USA; pedal steel guitar), Phil Lesh (b. Philip Chapman, 15 March 1940, Berkeley, California, USA; bass) and Mickey Hart (b. 11 September 1943, New York, USA; drums) joined John Dawson (b. San Francisco, California, USA; guitar/vocals) and David Nelson (b. San Francisco, California, USA; guitar), mutual associates from San Francisco's once-thriving traditional music circuit. Although early live appearances were viewed as an informal warm-up to the main attraction, the New Riders quickly established an independent identity through the strength of Dawson's original songs. They secured a recording contract in 1971, by which time Dave Torbert had replaced Lesh, and Spencer Dryden (b. 7 April 1938, New York City, New York, USA, d. 11 January 2005, Petaluma, California, USA), formerly of Jefferson Airplane, was installed as the band's permanent drummer. Their 1971 debut album blended country rock with hippie idealism, yet emerged as a worthy companion to the parent act's lauded American Beauty. Sporting one of the era's finest covers (from the renowned Kelley/Mouse studio), the stand-out track was "Dirty Business". This lengthy "acid country" opus featured some memorable guitar feedback.
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Albums
- (2006) The Best Of New Riders Of The Purple Sage
- (1996) Powerglide
- (1989) New Riders Of The Purple Sage
- (1973) The Adventures Of Panama Red
- (1972) The Best Of New Riders Of The Purple Sage
- (1971) New Riders Of The Purple Sage
Top Tracks
- Panama Red
- Glendale Train
- I Don't Need No Doctor
- Henry
- Louisiana Lady
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