Published Oct 11, 2025 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 7\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
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Chatham-born author Ray Robertson returns to Chatham Nov. 28 for the launch of his new book Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars) being held in Studio One of the Chatham Cultural Centre. Robertson is seen here Nov. 10, 2023 with his former high school Canadian literary teacher Gloria Ross, during the launch of his book All the Years Combine: The Grateful Dead in Fifty Shows, who he knows will be at his upcoming launch. PHOTO Ellwood Shreve\/Chatham Daily News jpg, CD, apsmcArticle content<\/p>\n
Writing about music has been a passion project in recent years for Chatham-born author Ray Robertson, which has attracted him new readers.<\/p>\n
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Robertson, 59, returns to Chatham Nov. 28 for the launch of his latest book Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), in Studio One at the Chatham Cultural Centre.<\/p>\n
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\u201cDust\u201d follows the 2016 release of Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), with the new book featuring many little known musicians such as Danny Kirwan, Handsome Ned, Captain Beefheart and Nico along with more recognizable names including Duane Allman and Muddy Waters.<\/p>\n
When asked about his selection of musicians for the new book, Robertson said, \u201cI didn\u2019t try to be purposely obscure, but everybody in the book I care about.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added it stems from \u201cpure curiosity, I just let my mind go where it does.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robertson said each musician has their own musical narrative that applies to life.<\/p>\n
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With the access to music provided by YouTube and streaming, Robertson hopes the stories in the book will inspire people to do some exploring of their own.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat would make me happy,\u201d he added, \u201cto spread the good news, so to speak, about these wonderful, often under-appreciated artists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robertson, who has written nine novels, six collections of non-fiction and a book of poetry, has been gaining new readers and critical acclaim since his 2023 release of All the Years Combine: The Grateful\u00a0Dead\u00a0in Fifty Shows.<\/p>\n
Written based on listening to countless hours of Grateful Dead live recordings spanning decades, All the Years Combine got some ink in the New Yorker magazine, a first for Robertson.<\/p>\n
He has also since been called upon to write the liner notes for three Grateful Dead archival releases: Dave\u2019s Picks #45, the Here Comes Sunshine 1973 boxed set, and the From the Mars Hotel 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition.<\/p>\n
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\u201cCanadian literature, like American literature, you\u2019re either famous or you\u2019re scuffling \u2013 and I\u2019m certainly not famous,\u201d Robertson said.<\/p>\n
Noting he can\u2019t complain, he added with these music books \u201cit\u2019s been so refreshing to see a whole different kind of readership.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stating it has been a \u201chuge boost\u201d to his career, Robertson said, \u201cI didn\u2019t expect this to happen in my later life, so I\u2019m very appreciative.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), is the last book of its kind Robertson plans to write.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think I\u2019ve sort of done all I can do with the form \u2013 I\u2019m moving on to different things, but I\u2019ll still write about music,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
But Robertson is going to enjoy the book launches planned for Chatham, Windsor, Hamilton and Toronto, which will be a party.<\/p>\n
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Robertson said the Chatham book launch, which begins at 7 p.m., will include him being interviewed on stage at 8 p.m., followed by a performance by Chris Staig and Jonathon Billings, of Staig and Billings.<\/p>\n
He said the Toronto-based singer-songwriters with 10 albums of original music in their collective history are an \u201cembodiment of what the book is about.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no way to make a living making with the kind of music they make,\u201d Robertson added. \u201cThey write great songs, but there\u2019s no radio (support) . . . but they\u2019re still doing it because they love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the duo, booked to play all his book launches, will do a cover song from the 12 artists featured in Dust: More Lives of the Poets (with Guitars), which is published by Biblioasis in Windsor.<\/p>\n
As always when Robertson returns to Chatham for a book launch it turns into a homecoming celebration. This time, he said the event is being combined with a 40th reunion of his Grade 13 class from the former Chatham Collegiate Institute.<\/p>\n
He added his former Canadian literary teacher from CCI, Gloria Ross, who comes to his book launches, will be there.<\/p>\n
\u201cI actually studied Canadian literature in her class and here I am, lo and behold, making Canadian literature,\u201d Robertson said.<\/p>\n
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