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 (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.
The final link with the Grateful Dead was severed when an over-committed Garcia made way for newcomer Buddy Cage (b. Canada). Powerglide introduced the punchier, more assertive sound the band now pursued, which brought commercial rewards in 1973 with their highly popular fourth album, The Adventures Of Panama Red. Torbert left the line-up following Home, Home On The Road and was replaced by Skip Battin (b. Clyde Battin, 2 February 1934, Galipolis, Ohio, USA, d. 6 July 2003, Palm Springs, California, USA), formerly of the Byrds. Battin remained a member until 1977’s Who Are Those Guys?, on which he was replaced by Stephen Love. In 1978 Dryden relinquished drumming in order to manage the band; while sundry musicians then joined and left, Dawson and Nelson remained until 1981. The New Riders Of The Purple Sage were dissolved following the disastrous Feelin’ Alright, although the latter musician subsequently resurrected the name with Gary Vogensen (guitar) and Rusty Gautier (bass). Nelson, meanwhile, resumed his association with the Grateful Dead in the Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band, and supervised several archive New Riders Of The Purple Sage sets for the specialist Relix label.
Source: The Encyclopedia of Popular Music by Colin Larkin. Licensed from Muze.
To place an order or for customer service, call toll-free 1-800-336-4627 or outside the United States, call 1-610-649-7565
Open Monday - Friday: 7am-10pm, Saturday: 9am-9pm, Sunday: 10am-8pm (Eastern Time)
Memorial Day: 7:30am-9pm
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 (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.