Shed a tear for the fate of the last lonely eagle..

Just heard the news that John "Marmaduke" Dawson, founder of New Riders Of The Purple Sage, died. Dawson was 64 years old. So this little post is my humble tribute to him.


Dawson founded New Riders Of The Purple Sage in 1969 with guitarist David Nelson and Jerry Garcia from Grateful Dead. They were joined by Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart, both from the Dead. The two latter were later replaced by Dave Torbert and Spencer Dryden. New Riders released a bunch of great albums in the early seventies, especially the debut New Riders Of The Purple Sage (1971), Powerglide (1972), Gypsy Cowboy (1972) and The Adventures of Panama Red (1973).

John Dawson also contributed to the Grateful Dead albums Aoxomoxoa, Workingman's Dead and American Beauty. He co-wrote the hit "Friend of the Devil" from American Beauty.

So it's a great loss, but he will be playing on in that great gig in the sky with Garcia. And for the rest of us, the music lives on.


New Riders Of The Purple Sage - Last Lonely Eagle

Comments

Nice post, great tune. I'm not very familiar with the New Riders so thanks for the intro. I enjoy your blog and will try to check in more often for a read and listen!
Anonymous said…
Sad News...I just found out...

The New Riders were a great band in the 70's and beyond...

I have ALL there albums from the 70's and actually the N.R.P.S. was the first band I ever saw in concert.

Thanks for posting this tribute...

John Dawson Rest In Peace