Jerry Garcia, with his band the Grateful Dead, created a world full of music, love, dreams and freedom. Upon his passing this year at the age of 53, musicians, politicians, housewives, students, teenagers and '60s survivors mourned the man who had brought magic into their lives. This book is a tribute to him, using his own words to reveal what was special about his world, his band and his fans.
The legendary bass player tells the full, true story of his years with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead in this "insightful and entertaining" (Austin Chronicle) memoir of life in the greatest improvisational band in American history. In a book "as graceful and sublime as a box of rain" (New York Times Book Review), the beloved bassist tells the stories behind the songs, tours, and jams in the Grateful Dead's long, strange trip from the 1960s to the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 and beyond. From Ken Kesey's "acid tests" to the Summer of Love to bestselling albums and worldwide tours, the Dead's story has never been told as honestly or as memorably as in this remarkable memoir. "A fun ride...Even for the most well-read Deadhead, there's enough between the covers to make Searching for the Sound worth a look." —Associated Press
Through telepathic communication with Jerry Garcia, legendary member of the Grateful Dead, Wendy Weir, sister of Dead guitarist Bob Weir, presents Jerry's deep, loving, and often humorous insights from the realm of spirit and his wishes not only for the band that has become a cultural phenomenon but for each and every one of us. Early one morning in August 1995, Bob Weir called his sister and asked her to check in on Jerry Garcia, who had died only hours before. At first she could not talk to Jerry's spirit because it was too happy to be free. Only with the telepathic help of her brother was she able to break through Jerry's barriers and remind him that he couldn't leave--he still needed to fulfill his mission on Earth. Thus began an illuminating and introspective three-year journey with the spirit of Jerry Garcia. The messages Wendy has received from Jerry are amazing: he urges the remaining members of the band to continue without him and says their greatest and most important work is still in front of them. He explains why he stayed on Earth so long, even though he was in pain; his intention to use Wendy as an example for others to learn from; and how, in his death, he has in fact become "the grateful dead," which heralds the band's rebirth. Wendy Weir captures not only the wisdom of Jerry Garcia but also the playful, irreverent, conversational tone that his fans will immediately respond to. She relays his messages in a straightforward, easy manner, allaying the doubts of those who may be skeptical of the reality of her experiences, while at the same time reassuring those most eager to believe in the continued vitality of Jerry Garcia and his ability to communicatewith those on the other side. Wendy Weir was fourteen years old when she first heard her brother's plan to play in the rock band that would become the Grateful Dead. Her own life took her into careers in finance and environmental education. During this time, she quietly developed her psychic abilities while staying in close contact with her brother Bob, Jerry, and the Dead. She lives in California. Placing my feet flat on the ground, I straighten my back to allow the energies to flow easily up and down my spine, hold my head erect with eyes closed, and rest my hands peacefully on my thighs. I start to inhale slowly through my nose, breathing deeply into my lungs, holding my breath for a few seconds, then exhaling through my mouth. I repeat this several times until my body and mind are fully relaxed. Then I gently shift my focus to the inner space behind my sixth chakra (the energy center located on the forehead just above and between the eyes), clear my head of all thoughts, and raise the frequency of my energy. Entering into a meditative state, I silently call Jerry's name. Almost instantly, I see Jerry's spirit. It looks like a brilliant, white-gold beam radiating out from a center of pure light. Free at last from the weight and pain of his physical body, he is in a powerful state of ecstasy.Through telepathic communication with Jerry Garcia, legendary member of the Grateful Dead, Wendy Weir, sister of Dead guitarist Bob Weir, presents Jerry's deep, loving, and often humorous insights from the realm of spirit and his wishes not only for the band that has become a cultural phenomenon but for each and every one of us.
The Grateful Dead-rock legends, marketing pioneers The Grateful Dead broke almost every rule in the music industry book. They encouraged their fans to record shows and trade tapes; they built a mailing list and sold concert tickets directly to fans; and they built their business model on live concerts, not album sales. By cultivating a dedicated, active community, collaborating with their audience to co-create the Deadhead lifestyle, and giving away "freemium" content, the Dead pioneered many social media and inbound marketing concepts successfully used by businesses across all industries today. Written by marketing gurus and lifelong Deadheads David Meerman Scott and Brian Halligan, Marketing Lessons from the Grateful Dead gives you key innovations from the Dead's approach you can apply to your business. Find out how to make your fans equal partners in your journey, "lose control" to win, create passionate loyalty, and experience the kind of marketing gains that will not fade away!
These never-before-published interviews with Jerry Garcia reveal his thoughts on religion, politics, his personal life, and his creative process. Jerry on Jerry provides new insight into the beloved frontman of the Grateful Dead in time for the 50th Anniversary of the band. Released by the Jerry Garcia Family and made available to the public for the first time, these are some of the most candid, intimate interviews with Jerry Garcia ever published. Here, Garcia speaks openly about everything from growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area and his first encounters with early R&B to his thoughts on songwriting, LSD, the Beats and Neal Cassady, government, movies, and more. Illustrated with family photographs, ephemera, and Jerry's artwork, Jerry on Jerry presents uniquely poignant, unguarded, and astute moments, showing a side of Jerry that even his biggest fans have not known.
A collection of interviews—some vintage, some recent, and some brand-new—Conversations with the Dead is the first (and only) book in which the Grateful Dead speak in their own words about their music and their lives. David Gans, a self-professed Deadhead and host of "The Grateful Dead Hour," asked Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and the rest of the band the questions their fans would have asked if given the chance. And Gans reaches far beyond the musicians, talking with such often-overlooked key players as the recording engineer, sound man, and road crew—those who have had the coveted opportunity to witness the Dead's decades of music-making. This updated and expanded edition includes a rare, never-before-published interview with Seastones composer Ned Lagin and a new introduction by the author. With a readable combination of intensity, inquisitiveness, and candor, Gans has created an unprecedented portrait of a band who, after more than thirty years of music-making, has earned a unique place in American culture.
A huge collection of 76 titles, in lead-line format with guitar chords. Including: Bertha * Black Peter * Casey Jones * Cats Under the Stars * China Cat Sunflower * Cumberland Blues * Dire Wolf * Eyes of the World * Friend of the Devil * Mississippi Half-Step . . . * New Speedway Boogie * Run for the Roses * Saint Stephen * Sugaree * Tennessee Jed * Touch of Grey * Uncle John's Band and many, many more.
He was there when Dylan went electric, when a generation danced naked at Woodstock, and when Ken Kesey started experimenting with acid. Jerry Garcia was one of the most gifted musicians of all time, and he was a member of one of the most worshiped rock 'n' roll bands in history. Now, Blair Jackson, who covered the Grateful Dead for twenty-five years, gives us an unparalleled portrait of Garcia--the musical genius, the brilliant songwriter, and ultimately, the tortured soul plagued by his own addiction. With more than forty photographs, many of them previously unpublished, Garcia: An American Life is the ultimate tribute to the man who, Bob Dylan said, "had no equal."
The timely, passionate, and humanely political work of America's greatest folk singer and songwriter is presented through his own words and art – curated by Woody's daughter – in this essential self-portrait, including never-before published lyrics and personal writing, and testimony from contemporary writers and musicians on his powerful relevance today. Woody Guthrie and his passionate social politics are as crucial today as they have ever been. A powerful voice for justice, and the author of more than 3,000 songs (including "This Land is Your Land"), he was also a poet, painter, illustrator, novelist, journal keeper, and profuse letter writer. Curated by his daughter Nora and award-winning music historian Robert Santelli, this fresh, intimate, and beautifully designed book thematically reveals Woody's story through his own personal writings, lyrics, and artwork, urgently bringing his voice to life. Featuring never-before-published lyrics to some of his greatest songs, personal diary entries, doodles, quips and jokes, and piercing insights on his politics and justice, this is an undeniable and important celebration of Woody's vibrant life's work. Created to be enjoyed by all – those interested in folk music or those interested in Woody's thoughts on Life in all its aspects, from Politics and Spirituality, to Love and Family – this book reflects Bob Dylan's thoughts on Woody Guthrie; "You can listen to his songs and learn how to live." ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL SONGWRITERS IN AMERICAN MUSIC HISTORY: Woody Guthrie has had a profound impact on American musicians, writers, politicians (and the everyman who found solace and kinship in Guthrie's writings and political beliefs), who have been shaped by his music and activism – namely the great founding father of songwriting himself, Bob Dylan, for whom he was a mentor. Others who have named Guthrie as a major influence include Bruce Springsteen, Johnny Cash, Pete Seeger, John Mellencamp, Billy Bragg, Joe Strummer, and Jerry Garcia, just to name a few. RARE ARCHIVAL MATERIAL: This is Woody's life told primarily in his own words, with never-before published handwritten lyrics, artwork, journals, and much more. WORDS OF WISDOM RELEVANT TODAY: Woody Guthrie's lyrics and writings carry pointed relevance to our world today – he wrote powerfully about economic inequality, immigration reform, fascism, war, corruption from capitalism gone wild, patriotism, and environmentalism – not to mention spirituality of all kinds, love, and family. EXCLUSIVE CONTRIBUTORS: Includes new writing about Woody and his music by Chuck D., Ani DiFranco, Douglas Brinkley, Jeff Daniels, Arlo Guthrie, and Rosanne Cash. Perfect for: • Music lovers • Musicians and artists • Political activists and historians • Fans of Americana
