Description
This collection contains various materials documenting concerts performed by the Grateful
Dead, as well as some show materials from solo and side projects with members of the
Grateful Dead such as the Jerry Garcia Band, RatDog, Kingfish, Phil Lesh and Friends, and
the Other Ones. Included are show contracts and production information, tour itineraries and
planning documents, information sheets for Deadheads, hotline scripts, backstage passes,
tickets & laminate lists, crew instructions, general venue information, and thank you
notes from fans. Not all performances are represented.
Background
The Grateful Dead were an American rock band that formed in 1965 in Northern California.
They came to fame as part of author Ken Kesey's Acid Tests, a series of multimedia
happenings centered around then-legal LSD. Famed for their concerts, the band performed more
than 2,300 shows over thirty years, disbanding after the death of lead guitarist Jerry
Garcia in August 1995. Although their only Top 10 hit, "Touch of Grey," charted in 1987,
their popularity was based on concerts, and in their last decade they consistently placed in
the top five tours every year. Known for the range of their repertoire and the caliber of
their compositions, the Dead's songbook has been covered by a wide range of other musicians,
from Bob Dylan to Jane's Addiction. They released thirteen studio albums and nine
contemporary live albums during their career, and more than 100 live releases since then.
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
Extent
95.6 Linear Feet
214 boxes
Restrictions
Copyright for the items in this collection is owned by the creators and their heirs.
Reproduction or distribution of any work protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair
use requires permission from the copyright owner. It is the responsibility of the user to
determine whether a use is fair use, and to obtain any necessary permissions. For more
information see UCSC Special Collections and Archives policy on Reproduction and Use.
Availability
This collection is open for research.