Perhaps no other band of the '70s was more associated with pot than the New Riders of the Purple Sage. This was due, at least in part, to the title of their 1973 LP, The Adventures of Panama Red (it being the name of a popular brand of weed; long before there was "indo," there was "Panama Red"). Another reason was that the band began as a country- and bluegrass-oriented side project for a few members of the Grateful Dead — its first lineup included Jerry Garcia (on pedal steel), Phil Lesh and Mickey Hart. It wasn't long before the Dead guys left, and the New Riders established their own country-rock cred (while continuing to benefit from the Grateful Dead association). The band splintered in the early '80s, but reunited in 2001, and a year later received a Lifetime Achievement Award from High Times magazine. The current lineup is without principal songwriter John Dawson, but is anchored by long-time members David Nelson and Buddy Cage. Uncle John's Band opens. Thurs., June 29, 8 p.m., Skipper's Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $15, www.skipperssmokehouse.com.
This article appears in Jun 28 – Jul 4, 2006.