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When it comes to music legends the Grateful Dead, most people think of tie-dye, psychedelic guitar licks, and drug use. However, when frontman Jerry Garcia died, a drug once a mainstay for Deadheads quickly fell out of fashion. Here’s how.
The Grateful Dead’s musical and cultural influence
The Grateful Dead was formed in 1965 in California and was made up of members Garcia (lead guitar and vocals), Bob Weir (rhythm guitar and vocals), Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (keyboards, harmonica, and vocals), Phil Lesh (bass and vocals), and Bill Kreutzmann (drums).
Their musical style blended rock, country, jazz, blues, and folk, and the unique sound made them fans worldwide. The Grateful Dead’s hits include tracks like “Friend of the Devil,” “Casey Jones,” and “Touch of Grey.”
In addition to their musical impact, the Dead’s style changed popular culture. The band’s logos, such as a skull, roses, and a line of dancing bears, have become ubiquitous on t-shirts and tote bags. Their fans (known as Deadheads) also popularized the concept of following a band on tour across the country.
Jerry Garcia’s Death Caused a Steep Decline in LSD Sales as the Grateful Dead Ended Its 30-Year Run
