The New Riders of the Purple Sage sprang from the same origins as the Grateful Dead. The original band included Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Mickey Hart. They were joined by old friends and musical compatriots John Dawson and David Nelson. By the time they appeared at Duke in 1971, Dave Torbert had taken over on bass and Jefferson Airplane drummer Spencer Dryden had joined the band.

They were an ode to country music of the Buck Owens and Merle Haggard ilk, but with a distinctly counter-culture flavor. John “Marmaduke” Dawson piloted the group and wrote many of their signature sounds. They were most noticed though for the appearance of Jerry Garcia on pedal steel guitar.

Photos are here.