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BORN
1947
DIED
2018
John Perry Barlow Obituary
The cause of death has not been reported, but Barlow had been in poor health after suffering a heart attack in 2015, according to NBC News.
Barlow attended the same high school as future Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir. The two remained friends and Weir tapped Barlow to write lyrics for several songs, including “Cassidy,” “Mexicali Blues,” and “Black-Throated Wind.”
He also introduced the group to counter-culture psychologist and LSD advocate, Timothy Leary.
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During the 1980s he was active on the WELL, an early online community with a strong presence of Grateful Dead fans. He connected with John Gilmore and Mitch Kapor, and in 1990 they formed the Electronic Frontier Foundation. The non-profit organization continues to champion internet civil liberties against government overreach and private efforts to suppress online expression.
“He always saw the Internet as a fundamental place of freedom, where voices long silenced can find an audience and people can connect with others regardless of physical distance,” Cindy Cohn, the EFF’s executive director, said in a statement.
Barlow was born Oct. 3, 1947, in Sublette County, Wyoming. He was raised as a Mormon, but turned away from the religion during his early adulthood.
His father was a Republican state legislator, and Barlow often identified as a Republican throughout his life. However, his personal politics were unorthodox and far more libertarian.
For free-thinkers such as himself, he saw the Internet as the ultimate forum for the free exchange of ideas. In 1996 he published the essay, “A Declaration of the Independence of Cyberspace.”
“We will create a civilization of the Mind in Cyberspace. May it be more humane and fair than the world your governments have made before,” he wrote.
We invite you to share condolences for John Perry Barlow in our Guest Book.
Memories and Condolences
for John Perry Barlow
44 Entries
JP
February 12, 2025
May God give you strength and comfort during this difficult time. I am so sorry for your loss. Sending sincere condolences and prayers to his family and friends. He will be greatly missed. Please take comfort in knowing that he touched so many lives.
October 13, 2018
My condolences for your loss. May the God of comfort continue to be with all of you.
May 17, 2018
My condolences to the family and friends.
Enjoyin' The Ride
Michael Barrows
April 4, 2018
Rest In Peace Man...
D.KIT SOMERS
March 25, 2018
JOHN, YOU LEFT US WAY TO SOON, THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS LEFT TO DO. BUT YOUR HAND WILL BE BUSY MOVING US ALL FORWARD FROM THE OTHER SIDE. DKS
March 14, 2018
Although I didn't personally get to meet Mr. Barlow, I admire his desire for a change, he wanted people to know they can speak freely and speak their minds. He reminded many people that they have a voice and are able to use it. John wanted a world that was more humane and fair, I'm sure that he would be very proud hearing that in the near future there will be a government that will be distinct from any other government because this government mentioned in Isaiah 35:5,6 has made prmoises..and will fulfill them. My condelences go out to John Barlows family and loved ones and the grateful dead family.
Landy Lawrence
March 11, 2018
God bless you, John - you will live in our hearts forever.
Paula La Vaughn
March 2, 2018
My prayers go out to the family and friends of Mr. Barlow. May 1 Cotrh.15:26 bring you comfort.
February 23, 2018
life is what happens to you when you're busy making other plans, as John Lennon once sung.
February 23, 2018
My most sincere condolences for your loss peace and love to your family and friends.
Valenda Newell
February 17, 2018
PRAYERS
Rhonda Johnson
February 12, 2018
Prayers to family and friends
Jane Lightle
February 12, 2018
my condolences to the families of Grateful Dead.God Is ther to comfort you.
hunter butler
February 11, 2018
Grateful for the time we had him on this earth, and the words he wrote will live on. Peace.
Allan Sicignano
February 11, 2018
Thank you John for making our world kinder and brighter what a long strange trip its been.
Lorne Lanning
February 11, 2018
"Sincere condolences to the family. I wish i had been able to spend more time with John, but am most grateful for the brief encounters that were enabled to happen. RIP JPB. So grateful you for all you brought.
Juanita
February 10, 2018
Sending heartfelt condolences to the family for your loss. Praying for God to comfort each of you during your time of grief.
February 10, 2018
Sorry for your loss. May God of all tender mercy comfort you in your times of sadness.
February 10, 2018
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
February 10, 2018
Sorry for you loss.may you have peace and comfort.
Kim
February 9, 2018
Sincere condolences for your loss. May happy memories and the words of Isaiah 57:15 be of comfort to you at this difficult time.
February 9, 2018
May the God of all peace bring comfort to the Barlow family and friends at this difficult time.
Michael LaReau
February 9, 2018
RIP John Perry Barlow. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Barlow family. We Bid You Goodnight, and SYF for life.
February 9, 2018
CHOICE! what a clearly pronounced and yet sometimes, in expression, an enigmatic gift. In a vigorous and most telling way, John expressed his choice. Psalms 62:11,12; 89:47,48.
Carlo Uliano
February 9, 2018
Black Throated Wind {my favorite} and I Will Take You Home make me tearful. Hell In A Bucket and Throwing Stones pump me up. Money, Money was my daughters first car seat song.She sang those words as a one & 1/2 year old. Very interested to see what John penned for Weir that has not been released yet!!!! GO WITH GOD and join Captain T, Pigpen,Keith, Brent, and Vince. The earth seems a bit more somber, but the skies are much more brighter
February 9, 2018
It is nice to see someone who actively promoted freedom of speech in a divided world! With deepest sympathy to the family. May the God of peace comfort you during this time of loss.
February 9, 2018
My condolences to The John Perry Barlow family. We pray that God will comfort you in every way.
February 9, 2018
You wrote a big part of the soundtrack of my youth. Thank you for touching me that way. RIP
Tom Manger
Naples, FL
Mike
February 9, 2018
Ride that train to heaven RIP John say hi to Jerry
always,always
Jane Lee Holmes
February 9, 2018
Being a published poet, I'm always grateful to those who contribute; [clarify, express, if you will, the human condition] I especially feel a connection when it's someone aound my age, of my unique & special generation..okay, the baby boomers. (Even if it's a gift, it's pretty hard work!) Sending genuine sympathy to the family of John, with a hope that you understand what he's meant to so many. God's peace and abiding comfort to you.
Julia Postel
February 9, 2018
Thankyou JPB for the songs and for giving us so much to work with to keep the internet open and neutral! You have made the world a better place.
February 8, 2018
Sorry about your loss. May God grant you strength and courage in this difficult time. Thoughts and prayers in the day ahead.
Laura Lehman
February 8, 2018
Rest In Peace.. You will be missed. The Lord said, your work here on Earth is done. The good Lord need you now.. Praying for your family
L K
February 8, 2018
Say it once again now
Oh, I hope you understand
When it's done and over
Lord, a man is just a man
Rest easy John Perry Barlow. You were my favorite Grateful Dead collaborator.
David Saks
February 8, 2018
John was a great visionary and extraordinary musician.
February 8, 2018
Thanks John and RIP. Colleen
Tim Badger
February 8, 2018
RIP John.
Thanks for all the great songs and making this a
better place to live. Tim
Adrian Barnette
February 8, 2018
We'll miss you !
Harry Simpson
February 8, 2018
Godspeed John, and thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Jim Spitz
February 8, 2018
Goin' back home that's what I'm gonna do
Turnin' around
That's what I'm gonna do
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