SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Fans of the Grateful Dead have gathered in San Francisco to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the iconic jam band, which became synonymous with the city's counterculture movement. Events will take place over three days, with concerts and festivities commemorating the spirit of the band that has left an indelible mark on the city known for its flower-wearing hippies and messages of peace and love.
Starting Friday, Dead & Company, featuring original band members Bob Weir and Mickey Hart, will perform at Golden Gate Park's Polo Field, expecting around 60,000 attendees each day. This marks a significant return to the location since a free concert held in 1991, following the death of beloved concert promoter Bill Graham.
The cost for a general admission ticket for the three-day event is set at $635, a price that has surprised many long-time fans who recall more affordable concert experiences. David Aberdeen, a dedicated Deadhead, expressed his joy, emphasizing that the celebrations in San Francisco feel very appropriate for the band’s cultural legacy.
The Grateful Dead was formed in 1965 and became a pillar of the San Francisco counterculture. During the Summer of Love in the late 1960s, members of the band lived in a modest Victorian in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. However, the joyful atmosphere of that era soon faded due to adverse experiences with drugs and increased police presence, leading the band to relocate across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County. Despite the death of iconic frontman Jerry Garcia in 1995, new generations of Deadheads have emerged, partly thanks to cover bands and offshoots like Dead & Company.
Dennis McNally, a former publicist for the Grateful Dead, noted that many young fans today never experienced Garcia's era but are still drawn to the band's values. The essence of belonging and community is central to the Deadhead experience, as fans recall fondly the first time they 'fit in' among like-minded individuals.
Sunshine Powers, now 45 and owner of the Love on Haight shop, reminisced about her transformative moment stepping into Haight-Ashbury at age 13. Similarly, Taylor Swope shared how a Grateful Dead mixtape helped her navigate a tough freshman year, highlighting the significant role the band's culture plays in forming connections and friendships.
For many, becoming a Deadhead is a journey. Thor Cromer’s experiences shifted dramatically after attending a show on March 15, 1990, in Landover, Maryland, where he felt an undeniable connection to the music. Cromer later dedicated time to following the band on tour, attending around 400 concerts until Garcia's passing.
With excitement surrounding this anniversary, many long-time fans, including Aberdeen, anticipate the opportunity to share this celebratory moment together, knowing that such gatherings may be rare. Although Dead & Company performed in Las Vegas earlier this year, no additional dates have been announced, which adds to the eagerness surrounding this event.
San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie, who identifies with the band’s influence even as a non-Deadhead, noted how these events boost the local economy, aiding the city’s recovery from pandemic-related challenges. From Thursday, events include performances by Grahame Lesh & Friends, the son of late bassist Phil Lesh, among various parties and shows throughout the city.
Notably, Friday marks what would have been Jerry Garcia’s 83rd birthday, during which a street will be renamed in his honor. The celebrations culminate on Saturday with the annual Jerry Day at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, a park near the musician's childhood home.
