John Perry Barlow

The Wyoming rancher who penned the Dead's anthems and declared cyberspace independent.

John Perry Barlow (October 3, 1947 – February 7, 2018) was an American poet, essayist, cattle rancher, and cyberlibertarian activist who became a defining voice for the Grateful Dead. Born in Sublette County, Wyoming, he transitioned from a Mormon upbringing on a 22,000-acre ranch to the counterculture of New York City's East Village and Andy Warhol's Factory. While his academic path was erratic, leading to an admission to Harvard Law School that he never attended, Barlow found his true calling as a lyricist for Bob Weir and the Grateful Dead. From 1971 until 1995, he co-wrote enduring classics like "Cassidy" and "Mexicali Blues," bridging the gap between the band's psychedelic roots and the emerging digital world.

Quick Facts

Born: 3 October 1947
Birthplace: near Cora, Wyoming, U.S.
Died: 7 February 2018
Place of death: San Francisco, California, U.S.
Occupation: Lyricist; essayist
Education: Wesleyan University
Subject: Internet (essays)

Lore & Background

Barlow's journey to the Grateful Dead began in 1971 after a backstage feud over lyrics. Robert Hunter, the band's primary lyricist, grew frustrated with Bob Weir's desire to rearrange words, famously summoning Barlow at a Capitol Theatre show and declaring, "take [Weir]—he's yours." This marked the start of a prolific partnership that produced hits like "Black-Throated Wind" and later songs with keyboardist Brent Mydland. Before fully committing to the band, Barlow spent nearly two decades managing the family's Bar Cross Land and Livestock Company in Cora, Wyoming, following his father's stroke in 1966 and death in 1972. This era required him to recruit unconventional ranch hands from both mainstream society and the counterculture while writing spec scripts to support the business. His deep connection to the band was rooted in a friendship with Weir that began when Barlow was just 15 years old at the Fountain Valley School.

Reader's Guide

Barlow's role evolved from a pragmatic rancher managing family debt to a visionary digital rights activist. He joined The WELL in 1986, serving on its board, before founding the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) in 1990 with John Gilmore and Mitch Kapor. His legal activism included publicizing the Secret Service raid on Steve Jackson Games, leading to the landmark 1993 victory in Steve Jackson Games, Inc. v. United States Secret Service. He was an early fellow at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center and a key figure in Brazilian digital policy after meeting Minister Gilberto Gil in 2003. His legacy is defined by translating the Grateful Dead's ethos of freedom into the digital realm.

Did You Know?

Barlow was raised as a devout Mormon and prohibited from watching television until the sixth grade.
He claimed to have consumed LSD over 1,000 times after being introduced to it at Timothy Leary's facility in Millbrook, New York.
In 1971, Robert Hunter told Bob Weir 'take [Weir]—he's yours' during a backstage feud over lyrics for 'Sugar Magnolia'.
Barlow sent all 100 of his initial Orkut invitations to friends in Brazil, contributing to the platform reaching 11 million users there within two years.
He co-wrote four songs on the Grateful Dead's 1989 album 'Built to Last' with keyboardist Brent Mydland.