New Riders of the Purple Sage w/ Opening Guests: Professor Louie & the Crowmatix

The New Riders of the Purple Sage, signed to Columbia Records by Clive Davis, released its eponymous first album in September 1971 to widespread acclaim. In the next 11 years, the band toured and released over 12 albums, selling over 4 million records. NRPS began as a part-time spinoff from the Grateful Dead when Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Mickey Hart teamed up with John Dawson and David Nelson. Although, early live appearance were viewed as an informal warm up to the main attraction, the group quickly established an independent identity throught the strength of Dawson’s original songs.