Grateful Dead lyricist and internet activist John Perry Barlow dies at age 70

John Perry Barlow, famous for co-writing dozens of songs for The Grateful Dead, died on Wednesday at age 70.

The Electronic Frontier Foundation, a group Barlow co-founded, posted on the website and said Barlow “passed away quietly in sleep.”

Barlow was a lyricist who contributed to many Grateful Dead songs from 1971 until the group disbanded in 1995 following the death of frontman Jerry Garcia.

Barlow also collaborated with singer/guitarist Bob Weir, but also co-wrote with keyboardist Brett Mydland. Among the tunes he helped compose were “Cassidy,” “Heaven Help the Fool,” “Looks Like Rain” and “Mexicali Blues.”

In addition, the lyricist wrote dozens of songs with Weir for Bob’s various solo projects.

ABC News reports in the message announcing Barlow’s death, the EFF’s executive director, Cindy Cohn, said, “It is no exaggeration to say that major parts of the Internet we all know and love today exist and thrive because of Barlow’s vision and leadership.”

She continued,” He always saw the Internet as a fundamental place of freedom, where voices long silenced can find an audience and people can connect with other regardless of physical distance.”