Person · Male
David Torbert
- From
- California, United States
- Active
- 1948–1982
- Releases
- 0
- rock
About
David Edwin Torbert (June 7, 1948 – December 7, 1982) was a Bay Area musician, best known for his associations with the Grateful Dead and the New Riders of the Purple Sage. He played bass for the latter group, replacing Phil Lesh during the sessions for their first album. He also played on "Box of Rain", a song from American Beauty, and on "Greatest Story Ever Told" from Bob Weir's solo album Ace. Additionally, he was a founding member, with Matthew Kelly, of the band Kingfish. Torbert died of a heart attack in 1982.
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Among the songs that Torbert wrote and sang lead with the New Riders were "California Day", "Contract", "Gypsy Cowboy", "Groupie", "On My Way Back Home", "It's Alright with Me", "Important Exportin' Man", and "Thank the Day".
He is survived by his daughter Rachael Torbert.
He died of a heart attack at the age of 34.
Member of
-
Kingfish bass
Links
Also known as
Dave Torbert · David Edwin Torbert
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- 3cce9b49-d729-4936-be1f-327ebbc53a9f
- IPI
- 00066953050
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 6 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.