Rock Scully, former manager of the Grateful Dead, passed away last night after a battle with lung cancer. Scully managed the Grateful Dead from 1965-1985 and is the co-author of the book Living with the Dead. He was 73.

Scully first saw the band play at one of Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests under the name “The Warlocks” and signed on as the band’s manager shortly after that. He was responsible for booking the band at small local venues such as The Fillmore, a place where bands like Jefferson Airplane and others got their start.

Nicki Scully, Rock’s ex-wife, shared the news by saying, “Rock Scully crossed the great divide this morning. I got the call he was passing just as I was about to load up the car for a visit to Monterey to see him.Those of you lucky enough to have known him know that despite his human frailties, he was a loving, gentle, bright (actually brilliant), handsome, witty and especially charming rogue who brought people together, made them laugh and grow, and had a huge, generous heart.”

Grateful Dead lyricist John Perry Barlow took to Twitter to share his condolences after learning of Scully’s passing.