12: The Grateful Dead tour from 1965 until July 9, 1995, giving rise to the fan culture known as Deadheads
Some bands inspire cultures all their own, giving rise to specific vernaculars, styles, and behavior. In the 60s, there were Beatlemaniacs. Insane Clown Posse, albeit on a smaller scale, has Juggalos. But perhaps no other band in history has inspired a following the way that the Grateful Dead has. The Dead toured consistently from 1965 until July 9, 1995, allowing for generations of people to become a part of the scene, to become super-fans, to become Deadheads. The Dead propagated this culture in a variety of ways: They changed up their set list/song selection each night, and because their catalog is so vast, it became a special occasion when covers and rarities from their songbook were played. Due to the band’s improvisational nature, each time a song was performed, it was different from the prior time it was played. Over time, this led songs to undergo an evolutionary process where the current incarnation might sound radically different from the first time it was performed. This constant variety in live shows spawned a desire in fans to travel to different places to see the band. The Dead also fostered an environment of peacefulness and love (and drugs), making attending shows a more friendly, communal experience than most rock concerts. There’s a certain code that Deadheads abide by, one that encourages sharing and kindness. Even in the years since Jerry Garcia’s death, the community promoted by the Dead possesses an irresistible appeal for legions of fans. The remaining members of the band continue to tour and fill stadiums with Deadheads, and younger fans who wish they could have been around for the days when the Grateful Dead toured the country.
Carol Morrison Orledge from Wilmington, DE remembers her introduction to the Dead
Patrick from Lakewood, NJ remembers a special Dead show
Catherine Costanzo from Fort Wahington, PA recalls becoming a Deadhead
Ralph from Yardley, PA remembers an atypical Dead show
“Dawn of the Deadheads” by David Gans
You Know Your’re A Deadhead When…
The first (and only) Grateful Dead show I was lucky enough attend was in Philly. This was two years before Jerry passed. My sister and I were only 14 and 15 and we were in total awe of the whole scene. Nothing like it. Seeing all of the “real” Deadheads who traveled around blew our minds. Shakedown Street, bean burritos, tie dyes. We went into the Vets Center and tried not to look uncool while we tried to find our seats. We were in a line of people moving pretty slow - it was packed - and an older “real” Deadhead called out to us. - “Hey girls!” he said, “What do you think they’ll start off with?” We both looked at eachother tongue tied (what do you say to someone who’s been to more Dead shows than days you’ve been alive?) and shrugged our shoulders. We both thought and hoped it would be Jack Straw - a song that we both loved. But we didn’t want to say the wrong song to this “real” Deadhead. He saw the looks on our faces and said “It’s going to be Friend of the Devil - they always start off with that one in Philly.” We moved on, got to our seats, said hello to everyone around us. The crowd was going crazy - we could tell the band would be out soon. And sure enough, all the boys came out on stage. It was incredible. They were tuning up and I was prepared to hear ‘Friend’ like the show expert had said. Lo and behold, I heard the first few notes of Jack Straw! My sister and I looked at eachother - so surprised - hugged eachother (that was our song) and began to sing along and sway to the music. That’s when I knew that my sister and I were “real” Deadheads, too.
October 18th, 2007 at 4:36 pmBEST SPONTANEOUS DAY EVER……….It was either 89 or the early 90s, my Aunt had won tickets off of WMMR for a what she thought was a CSN show. When she went to pick up the tickets, it turned out it was a GRATEFUL DEAD/CSN combo show out at 3 rivers in Pittsburgh. She could not make it and called me to ask “How spontaneous was I?” I was 23 at the time and VERY SPONTANEOUS! I snagged my brother and we left for Pittsburgh first thing in the morning. We arrived after the six plus hour drive in time to catch both groups. CSN opened for the Dead. Both shows were great but the energy at that dead show was incredible. We drove home after the show since we had no where to crash. We didn’t get home until @ 5:00am that morning but BOY did we have a day to remember forever :o)
October 18th, 2007 at 4:38 pmwhat a treat it was after work to get into my car and hear Jack Straw, Warf Rat, and DarK Star. It’s a shame that I occasionally forget how much we love the dead and how much it means to us. Short hair, suits, taking care of the kids, mortgages, and german cars temporarily take presidence and then all of the sudden………..your humming Peggy-o and all of those wonderful Grateful Dead feelings come rushing back. Thanks for recognizing the importance of this very talented group of musicians.
October 18th, 2007 at 7:53 pmHere is my special memory–>My Dad was so happy that I was into the Dead in High School. He saw them many times while he was in grad school at Washington State in the 60s. We found out that they were playing at Buckey Lake in Ohio and my brother was going to school at Ohio State. So we went. We were around Carlisle when the altinator fell out of my Dad’s car and we pulled over. I thought it was all over and we were going back to West Chester, but no. My dad says let’s hitchhike. Now, I grew up in a time where you learn in school that if you hitchhike, you die. He sees the concern in my face and says dont worry, there are probably thousands of heads driving the same route and one will pull over in the van and take us there. Being that he is my dad, I trusted him. So, about 5 minutes go by and just like he said, a van pulls over and asks us if we are going to the show. Keep in mind, we are a good 3 hours away from Buckeye Lake. So my dad and I hitchiked to the dead show. I’ll never forget it. We had a great time there, my brother picked us up, my dad bought a new car out there and world is a wonderful place.
Years later when my girlfriend (my wife now) and I were living in the van traveling from venue to venue, I always took comfort in the fact that there will always be another head out there to lend a hand in a time of need.
I still feel the same way, though I am a banker ( I know. I never would have thought) and we live a subdued, not so wild lifestyle, the deadheads are still out there and ocassionally cross paths. Its an instant conection whether someone catches you humming a tune or it comes up in a business conversation. We’re Jerry’s kids andwe always will be.