Grateful Dead lyricist Robert Hunter has passed away, age 78.
The news was confirmed in a statement released to Rolling Stone, with Hunter's cause of death yet to be confirmed.
"It is with great sadness we confirm our beloved Robert passed away yesterday night," it reads. "He died peacefully at home in his bed, surrounded by love. His wife Maureen was by his side holding his hand.
"For his fans that have loved and supported him all these years, take comfort in knowing that his words are all around us, and in that way he is never truly gone. In this time of grief please celebrate him the way you all know how, by being together and listening to the music."
Hunter was responsible for songs including Box Of Rain, Touch Of Grey, Ripple and more and according to Pitchfork, was the only non-performer to be honoured as a band member during the group's Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame induction in 1994.
In addition to his work with Grateful Dead, Hunter also collaborated with acts including Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and more.
Tributes have started rolling in, with Grateful Dead's legacy manager David Lemieux sharing that "For a man who provided us with so many meaningful words, the soundtrack to our lives, he's left us a bit speechless with his passing."
"Not a single day has gone by since 1984 that Hunter's words haven't been a part of my world; I've heard Jerry, Bob and others sing his words literally every day for the past 35 years," it reads.
"When the final Fare Thee Well show ended in Chicago in 2015, Mickey Hart famously sent us on our way by asking us to "please, be kind," and that lesson along with its lyrical brethren written by Hunter, "ain't no time to hate," and "are you kind?" are some of the truest words to live by. No matter what meaning, solace, lesson you find in Hunter's lyrics, please go out and do some good with them."
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