The Grateful Dead

Today Simon Barnard explores one of the originators of the early jam band scene, and the playing of Jerry Garcia and bandmate Bob Weir.

- Simon Barnard

Formed in 1965 in San Francisco, The Grateful Dead fused a multitude of genres, along with extended jams to create their unique sound. Fans were so devoted that they branded themselves ‘Deadheads’ who would follow them on tour, selling their own merchandise to fund their allegiance. Still very much alive in the hearts of their followers, the Dead released 13 studio album, 10 live and nine compilations, plus 27 singles among other releases on different formats. They have over 35 million album sales to their credit.

Formed by guitarists Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, Phil Lesh on bass, Bill Kreutzmann (drums) and Ron McKernan (keyboards and harmonica), The Grateful Dead’s eponymous first album was released in 1967. Recorded in just four days it was produced by David Hassinger. The band had wanted to work with Hassinger because he had helped to engineer works by the Rolling Stones and San Fransisco contemporaries Jefferson Airplane. This first release was followed in 1968 with Anthem Of The Sun, on which they explored a wide range of sounds and textures. Initially produced by Hassinger, he quit the project after becoming frustrated with the group’s snail-like pace in the studio. However, ‘Anthem’ made number 288 on Rolling Stone’s list of the Top 500 albums of all time.

Aoxomoxoa (1969) was one of the first albums ever to use 16-track technology, as was Live/Dead, released the same year.

The Grateful Dead released their final, and 13th studio album some two decades later in 1989. It was certified gold by the RIAA and reached number 27 on the Billboard charts.