My first time hearing the Grateful Dead

[@charliecleghorn484]

"The Grateful Dead aren't the best at what they do. They're the only ones who do what they do." Bill Graham

[@jackson9282]

And they are not overrated, they misunderstood.

[@KayentaMoenkopi]

wow. so many things to listen to. I like 'Dark Hollow', 'Casey Jones', 'Ripple', 'Sugar Magnolia' , 'Cumberland Blues', 'Uncle John's Band', 'Ramble on Rose' just off the top of my head.

[@jessicaleblanc-nh1yl]

Fire on the Mountain, Box of Rain, Shakedown Street, China Cat Sunflower, etc. You cannot go wrong with their offerings. They are a bit legendary now. Thanks for listening.

[@Magumba_State]

Scarlet Begonias / Fire on The Mountian - Cornell 77

[@bookman7409]

Tons of Steel

[@allengray5748]

Did I overlook? Don't see TRUCKIN!!🕊️☮️

[@steveullrich7737]

"Box of Rain" is another great one.

[@captainkangaroo4301]

I saw the Grateful Dead more than 300 times (1971-95) and I can say without question they were not overrated. If you went to a four night stand you would not hear a song repeated. To be sure because of the improvisational nature of their playing on occasion they fell on their faces but it was always interesting and usually mind blowingly good. Jerry could melt your face with his guitar solos. As David Crosby said if he could pick one person to speak for all musicians it would be Jerry because of his intelligence and kindness. Jerry was a founding member of a number of bands other than the Dead. New Riders of the Purple Sage, Old and In The Way, Legion of Mary, Reconstruction, The Jerry Garcia Band and The Jerry Garcia Acoustic Band. He also played guitar, peddle steel guitar and banjo on many albums of other bands. He was a close friend of Owsley (Bear) Stanley, Neil Cassidy, Ken Kesey and many other people who are well worth delving into.

[@jmcc199]

Exactly. Seen them and their many side gigs 100s and 100s of times - 71-80something. Had to stop when Jerrys voice really broke - early, maybe mid 80s. Just broke my heart. Wish he would have just shut up and played guitar. Favorite years were Keith & Donna - just cause I love that plain piano sound. After Englishtown venues and crowds got really too big unfortunately. Proud to be a Certified DeadHead

[@mynameisnoonesbusiness4488]

No way!

[@opiebluwsit9751]

Calling one of the greatest rock bands of all time "overrated" simply means one doesn't know anything about music.

[@opiebluwsit9751]

@@jmcc199 Subjective of course. But you can you can have your Keith and Donna years. Uck her off key voice wailings. To me the Brent years were the best, and the Dead were at the mightiest in 1989. Jerry's voice was husky but sounded good to me.

[@nvus2758]

@@opiebluwsit9751 I'm with you on Donna. Don't hate her but can't stand her! Not sure I agree with late 80's but then again I like early Dead - 72ish

[@757optim]

"Truckin" is what I think of when someone mentions the GD. It's old GD. This one was an MTV friendly production.

[@jovanisanfemio7641]

Even the Dead didn't like Truckin"

[@mackdeen7021]

Stop with the truckin requests as well 😮😂😅

[@mindigd]

I think that "Truckin'" is one of the worst songs to introduce the Dead to anyone. The Dead even disliked the song. That and "Sugar Magnolia".

[@panpdx8919]

Well it was definitely not an MTV friendly production, It was hours during the night at Laguna Seca after they opened the arena back up for everyone who was camping around, the lights in the band came up and they played for hours doing a little piece of touch of grey And then a bunch more music just to entertain us all. It was basically a second show that went on throughout the night and it was amazing bid that being said I'm not a big fan of truckin Or Casey Jones

[@patrickbrumm420]

THIS is Truckin in its most glorious form: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKfHdZZnadWrqZY&ab_channel=GratefulDead-Topic

[@thesecretjewishspacelaser9959]

RIP Phil Lesh, the best bass player in history.

[@earthgirl369]

ever!

[@simontemplar3359]

FACTS!

[@eddiemidnite]

Excellent! This is a journey, that if you continue, you will not regret.

[@richardsteiner8992]

The Dead did over 2000 concerts when they were still around, and some of my favorites are from the 70's. Their style changed over time, but it really would change sometimes from show to show. One of my younger brothers used to follow them around in the late 80's and 90's, and the band would allow audience members to LEGALLY record the show and sometimes even tap into the soundboard on stage, so Grateful Dead concert tape trading was a huge thing before the internet. You can find their live performances all over the internet today.

[@brianteichert1959]

"Scarlet Begonias"-->"Fire on the Mountain" from Cornell 1977. Give that a listen and go from there. Enjoy the journey!

[@southerndarlin4]

I just found this video, but Scarlet Fire was my recommendation, too!

[@jeffdempsey6478]

Best!

[@oscarfontana4]

One of the most amazing rabbit holes in music, bar none. Dive deep. Have fun.

[@ericdobey]

You probably won't get a ton of agreement about a best first, second song, live, studio, or any version of anything Dead related. But that's what makes it a worthwhile journey for everyone. Everyone is unique, as is the Grateful Dead, and as are everyone's individual favorites about the Grateful Dead. For me, I would recommend for you to hear a live recording of El Paso (Marty Robbins cover) from Cornell University at Barton Hall on May 8, 1977.

[@donnaneville192]

My hubs was a Dead Head! He roadied for them in the early 70s in Northern CA and PNW. He even had a GD tattoo and a large collection of concert Ts....lol. Great songs to listen to next wouldbe Truckin, Fire on the Mountain, Sugar Magnolia, Casey Jones or Uncle John's Band

[@bobschenkel7921]

We Dead Heads are a weird and varied lot. There is so much Dead music to appreciate, over 450 different songs played in concert, and over 2300 concerts to choose from, most on audio tape if not video. I only got to 50 myself, and I have several friends well into the multiple hundreds, but they were all great. A few to try out: "Help On The Way>Slipknot>Franklin's Tower", "Sugar Magnolia>Sunshine Daydream", "Truckin' ", "U.S. Blues", "Cumberland Blues", "Estimated Prophet>Eyes Of The World", "Sugaree", "Bertha", "Alabama Getaway". Hit play.

[@crickets7695]

Seconding "Sugar Magnolia>Sunshine Daydream" and "US Blues."

[@bobschenkel7921]

Thanks Crickets!

[@andretib4614]

youre gonna hear this a lot, but listen to live performances. This is the studio version, so it had a very short guitar solo, and even that was cut out for the video to keep the time MTV friendly. Jerry was a phenomal improving guitarist, one of a kind, like nothing youve ever heard, but you dont him solo on this vid. China Cat/Rider from the Europe 72 (live album). The guitar work is amazing

[@patrickbrumm420]

100 Year Hall is SUPREME

[@southerndarlin4]

China Cat Rider 😍😍😍

[@tomratcliff3755]

Hey Sebs, there are over 2300 live performances. The. Best are late 60's (pigpen) 70's Keith and 80's Brent. Look at the setlists and you will see the mix of covers and originals. Fast and slow, Jerry and Bobby. As the years went by they kept improving their control over and interaction with the audience. They have a large number of curated and remastered live material. I don't expect you to just stop everything and spend 3 hours listening to a show, but if you can listen to the sets separately, you will gain a valuable understanding of the gestalt. Take care, and keep up the good work!

[@SebsDuran]

First off the help to the channel means a lot. And this sort of passion and direction? Infectious. Thank you Tom.

[@magekaz6719]

​@@SebsDurangood advice from this gentleman

[@Jeff-yc2js]

For live improvisation Scarlet Begonias > Fire on the Mountain from Cornell 5/8/77 Morning Dew from Cornell 5/8/77 Eyes of the World from Winterland 10/19/74 Althea 5/6/80 Studio Shakedown Street Estimated Prophet Truckin Casey Jones Ripple This is just what comes to mind literally hundreds of songs and live versions to choose from.

[@southerndarlin4]

Scarlet Fire Cornell 77 was my recommendation, too!

[@Ch1ll_0ld_Dud3]

The Grateful Dead are the quintessential American band. They took pretty much every truly American genre of music (folk, country, western, blues, R&B, soul/Motown, Rock n Roll, and even a bit of disco) and put them all in a blender. Then they performed the result in the improvisational traditions of jazz, Dixieland, and bluegrass. People can argue about who the “best” American band is, but no band is more “American” than the Dead.

[@robertgrosek1124]

You know how you felt at your Whipping Post reaction? There are 100 Dead performances that will equally blow your mind.

[@mastandstars]

I was hoping to see this comment! 😁

[@tracymetherell8744]

These guys aren’t just a band they are a LIFESTYLE Touch of Grey was one of their very few top 40 hits. They just weren’t interested in being commercial

[@SwimmingSolution-zn2ym]

You must see "live" videos of the Dead to really get a feel for their music. May I suggest "Not Fade Away" Orchard Park, NY July 4th 1989. You'll get to experience Jerry and Brent dueling back and forth and having a crazy good time doing it and at the end watch how they bring the whole crowd into the song. FUN! Thanks for reading this, Randy H

[@razorramona9963]

Dude the Dead Heads are SERIOUS fans. I knew a few, aging flower children, and they would take months off work and follow the band around the country. They have A LOT of material. RIP Jerry 😢

[@nvus2758]

The Dead span so many years and their style evolved. Early Dead (Jug Band Sound) to the stellar year '77 and finally later Dead (80') You can hear the change over time. I got on the bus back in 72.

[@nvus2758]

Live Dead is best

[@BricktowneMedia]

heck yeah man!! I dont know if I can call myself a 'Dead Head' but I DO love The Grateful Dead. The Mayer Years have been great! Looking forward to this reaction. :0)

[@jimuicker4731]

You could have begun a rabbit hole with The Grateful Dead. This was their most commercially successful song after 20 years of releasing music. They have a very distinctive sound, but you could play 10 songs in a row and be surprised every time. As a guitar player, you should dive into the rabbit hole because Jerry Garcia makes a lot of lists of best guitar soloists and Bob Weir eventually became an excellent rhythm guitarist. As you listen to the band, you'll probably begin to focus on bass player Phil Lesh as he keeps the band together through the improvisational aspect of the performances. It's true that every performance is different, but the songs also have a lot of structure, including some complicated rhythms and time signatures ("Eleven" is in 11/8 time). The different eras of the band sort of correspond to different keyboard players, as the band's luck with keyboardists was almost as bad as Spinal Tap with drummers. In the 1960s, Ron "Pigpen" McKernan played harmonica and organ, while also doing lead vocals in a Memphis blues style. In 1965, while Lou Reed and The Velvet Underground were part of the LSD scene in New York, like Pink Floyd in London, The Grateful Dead and Jefferson Airplane were popularizing the new drug in San Francisco, together with author Ken Kesey ("One Flew Over the Cuckou's Nest") and hipster Neal Cassidy (the subject of Jack Kerouac's "On the Road") in huge, so-called "acid test" parties. Jerry Garcia famously dosed an unsuspecting Carlos Santana before his Woodstock performance. Pigpen died of alcoholism (gastrointestinal hemmorhage) in 1973. In the 1970s, the band's sound changed a lot when Keith Godchaux (keyboards) and his wife Donna Godchaux (backing vocals) joined the band. They did more studio work, and also pioneered a "Wall of Sound" (not Phil Specter) for their 1974 tour, which was a literal wall of hundreds of amplifiers behind the band that could fill an entire stadium with high-quality sound at 180 feet, and acceptable sound at a quarter mile. The speakers filled 4 semi trucks, weighed 75 tons and required 21 roadies to set up. Because the speakers were behind the band, they also served as monitors for the performers, but they required special microphones to prevent feedback. Keith and Donna left the band in 1979, due to Donna's religious objections to their heavy drinking and drug use. Keith died in a car accident in 1980. The 1980s brought a new keyboardist and vocalist: Brent Mydland. He had an amazing voice that is best showcased in a pair of covers that was often played together: "Dear Mr Fantasy / Hey Jude." This was the most commercially successful time for the band, with "Touch of Grey" reaching the Billboard Top 10 (peaking at #9). The Grateful Dead was a top-grossing touring band in the 1980s, along with other household names like ZZ Topp and U2. They played large venues, and Deadheads were known to follow them from show to show. The parking lot outside the stadium had a carnival-like atmosphere, with different areas named after songs: vendors were on "Shakedown Street," people in recovery attended "Wharf Rat" meetings and people without tickets usually held signs for passing cars that said "I need a miracle." Fans exchanged cassette tapes of live performances, as the band has always allowed people to record their concerts. I think most of us learned their music through these "bootleg" recordings because the band's albums weren't particularly easy to find in record stores and only a few songs ("Truckin'," "Casey Jones" and "Touch of Grey") got much radio airplay. Jerry Garcia had about a five-year reprieve from his opiate addiction during this time, so he was playing and singing at his very best. Mydland, who was the longest-serving keyboardist during what other members called their favorite time (1979 - 1990), died of a cocaine/methamphetamine (speedball) overdose in 1990. In the 1990s, the band featured several keyboardists who were famous musicians in their own right, particularly Bruce Hornsby (of Bruce Hornsby and The Range), who joined the band on tour, and Vince Welnick (of The Tubes). I attended two concerts during this time, at Pine Knob Music Theater in suburban Detroit, in 1992 and again in 1995. To be honest, the band was in serious decline at the end. Jerry started using again after Brent's death, and the other band members had pretty low morale. Even as a casual fan, they sounded pretty bad in 1995. Apparently Jerry Garcia agreed, because he checked himself back into rehab and died two weeks later.

[@poetreatsartreats2469]

Well written friend!

[@ttrails1]

Anyone that called the Dead over rated probably never saw them live. My #1 concert experience complete with a bunch of my Park Ratz family. It was 1978 i believe. Great times.

[@barbarascotto3873]

Touch of Grey was their first and only top ten 'hit'. It came out in 1987, 22 years into their career. The Dead only made records to satisfy the record company. They were really LIVE musicians, so you need to listen to them live to fully appreciate them.

[@lesblatnyak5947]

Nice saw the dead twice in the 70s, and both were over 4 hours. Brilliant live. Judging by your library you might enjoy a song called Roundabout by YES off the Fragile album. Its prog and I've been dancing to Roundabout for 53 years. Guitarist Steve Howe won best guitarist five times in the 70s, and Chris Squire bassist won 7 times for bass. Enjoy your 70s journey ✨️🎶✨️

[@PickpocketJones]

These dudes were LITERALLY the house band of the original acid tests in San Francisco. If there has ever been a dictionary definition of street cred, these guys are on the short list to be an example.

[@debrahirshfield6997]

I love this video and the Grateful Dead. Born and raised in San Francisco, home of the Dead!

[@rubyswaim1441]

"Shakedown Street" and "Ripple" are my favorite Dead tunes.

[@southerndarlin4]

You can’t go wrong with either one of those!!!

[@dlbeal]

There was a HUGE cult following of this band known as Dead Heads. Ripple is my favorite one by the GD.

[@BillFarr-nq4yt]

Very mainstream, you’re right. About the only album you could say that about. Hey, they had to try popular music, sometime right? Jazzy album, country album, rock album, blues, folk, even classically-tinged album. And they could bring out any song from any one of those albums, at every single show. And they could play hard, too. My favorites: St Stephen; Scarlet Begonias-into-Fire on the Mountain, China Cat Sunflower-into-I Know You Rider. He’s Gone. Cold, Rain and Snow; too damn many to list!!!

[@steveshute3810]

The thing about them is they're a live band, first and foremost. Check out their recent stuff with John Mayer as Dead & Company, Live at Folsom Field, 7/3/2023, especially the song "Althea" which Mayer loves.

[@KevinRCarr]

No, it's a great introduction to The Dead. Were I you, I'd go next to the song called Truckin', then maybe Casey Jones or Sugar Magnolia.

[@samfulford1964]

I'm one of those Heads in the crowd. It was a trippy scene... heading back from the campground to the stage...for that. So cool Not their ultimate song -but any Grateful Dead is a great thing!

[@hitchhikemike1]

Thanx! Love the dead!!! Welcome to a wonderful world of super creative soulful talent! Skeletons have always been an emblem of theirs, this was early in the video days, most videos were about cleaver, this was right on fun!! Thank again!

[@umpdaddy1]

The rose in the skull is a reference to their self titled 1971 live album informally known as Skull and Roses due to the cover art. I think it is an amazing record. Not Fade Away/Going Down the Road Feeling Bad off that album is a great look into their jam band improv. That album also shows their eclectic range of styles and genres, from country to rock to jazz and everything in between. You'll love Jerry's playing style. Nobody sounds like him and he was beloved in the industry.

[@matthewlee6168]

I don't know if it is the best "introduction" into the Dead but my favorite song of theirs is "Dire Wolf".

[@Akamai2HI]

Love the version of their acoustic album.

[@joy88867]

This song is like a Deadhead Anthem. Being a deadhead for years and some how traveling around, following the band and getting by. Surviving!

[@gwenivere73]

My husband who tolerates The Grateful Dead had the misfortune to marry someone who is a "Deadhead". This is one of the few songs by the group he likes. It's actually on one of his playlists.

[@jondeur2686]

This is a great song, no doubt , but they were past their prime. Two great live songs from 1970 at Fillmore East: Bertha and Me and My Uncle. But it's not just improv. Check out Truckin, Ripple, Sugar Magnolia, Cumberland Blues, Easy Wind from the studio. Very creative band. House band for The Electric KoolAid Acid Test. They were there at the beginning of it all

[@highrezIII]

my favorite song at any show I have ever seen, was when they were on, was a damn good Terrapin Station.

[@richardcarroll2500]

If you go down the Dead rabbit hole, you'll never come up!

[@chrissylee325]

If you like this song, you would probably like the song "Truckin'" by them as well. The real 60s-70s vibes songs, KZbin may not like 😂 You and your wife would probably like Sugar Magnolia.

[@Hartlor_Tayley]

Great band. Great lyrics and Jerry’s guitar is brilliant. This song is a bit later than their primary 60s 70s hey day. They were a great live rock and roll band, they did a lot of different stuff but primarily a rock and roll dance band. Good luck.

[@gkiferonhs]

The Dead were one of the original Jam Bands. There would often be other artists that would just drop by to play for a little while or jam until late at night. Once at Iowa City the concert wasn't over until well after 2 am.

[@joelliebler5690]

Legendary band that have so many wonderful songs. They are a trippy bands that are fantastic in concert though did not always translate as well in the studio! The video is just a fun video and one of the last ever before Jerry Garcia died.The Dead, as they are known have been around since around 1968!

[@AdamMcGahan]

As people are mentioning, the Dead had so many sounds that's it's nearly impossible to tell someone where to go next. Do you want another chillax tune? Try _Althea_ . The studio version is decent, and the live version from Nassau Coliseum from May 16, 1980 is great. Do you want something more upbeat, guitar driven, and bluesy? Try _Bertha_ from the 1971 "Skull & Roses" album. Do you want an acoustic, folky tune? Try _Ripple_ from the 1970 album "American Beauty". Do you want the Dead's foray into disco? Try _Shakedown Street_ from the 1977 album of the same name. Do you want jams with improvisation? If you want something relatively tight, try _China Cat Sunflower>I Know You Rider_ from the live album "Europe '72". If you're feeling adventurous, try the 25-minute _Scarlet Begonias>Fire on the Mountain_ from Cornell University, May 8, 1977.

[@billwarburton9054]

I am listening to video Closing of Winterland. Simulcast puts you right in front of band. Watching the band close up allows your brain to comprehend the complex simplicity of the band. Bill Graham said they are not the best if what they do, they are the only ones doing what the do.

[@Hey_You724]

Google The Grateful Dead concert in Englishtown NJ 1977. I was there ❤🎶

[@tomhartley9001]

“U.S. Blues” from the Grateful Dead movie shows the relationship between the band and the Deadheads.

[@shawndawyman]

Married to a deadhead. He says listen to Broken Down Palace. As a Newby I would say Scarlett Begonias.

[@crickets7695]

👍 Scarlet Begonias

[@tennesseejed42]

It has to include Fire on the Mountain! 4/24/78 is a fun Scarlet>Fire.

[@sdmercer99]

I used to bounce at the local amplitheater back in the 80s. There is nothing like a dead head, they tour with the Dead. I met several people that have seen the Dead in concert for like 50-60 times . they just follow the Dead and just get high. They camp in really weird places so they don't have to pay . I once saw them camping in the median of highway 64, which is a 3 lane, major highway that goes through Norfolk Va.

[@wgtetz]

The music video's weird because you don't get the refs. So let me help you out. The Dead were a band that made their money from touring, not albums. They did it NON-STOP. The skeletons motif wasn't just something that was part of their two-decade iconography, it was them saying "Yeah, we're getting long in the tooth. But not even the Grim Reaper is gonna stop us. We're in this for keeps."' A touch of grey, pushing through as you get older, that's the point. The dog is Otis, Bob Weir's (rhythm guitarist's) dog. The bit with him stealing a bit of skeleton and the guy chasing him across the stage is a wink at the fact that, well, shit happens on tour, it's not always under control, and you just roll with it. Incorporate it into the jam. Sometimes you're making fans dance, sometimes the dog steals your leg (or face ;-)) and runs away with it. That especially applied the year the song was released by which time the band was playing to huge crowds, and their newfound popularity (after a mere 22 years) was getting difficult to manage.

[@wgtetz]

Also, with the Grateful Dead you don't need to consult a dictionary to learn the meaning of "eclectic". They'll show it to you . Blues, old school rock 'n' roll, reggae, jazz, bluegrass, acid, disco (played without shame), country (and Western!), even polka. And then there are their side gigs and collaborators. I used to DJ a Grateful Dead show on WTJU in Charlottesville, and I played everything from gospel to metal to classical to funk to electronica and everything in between. You step through that door and five or six new doors open behind that one, and five or six behind each of those and so on. The music never stops.

[@GuitarGerber]

Saw The Dead 26 times back in the day. Went on summer tour last year with my wife. 26 shows. Absolutely amazing experience.

[@jona.874]

The band formed in 1965 - but most of the original members had been in other bands before. This song came out in 1987.

[@robertkramer41]

Grateful Dead The most common story involves a traveler who encounters a corpse of someone who never received a proper burial, typically stemming from an unpaid debt. The traveler then either pays off the dead person's debt or pays for burial. The traveler is later rewarded or has his life saved by a person or animal who is actually the soul of the dead person; the grateful dead is a form of the donor.[1][2] The grateful dead spirit may take many different physical forms including that of a guardian angel, animal, or fellow traveler.[3] The traveler's encounter with the deceased comes near the end of the traveler's journey.[

[@lindamcmahan977]

Hi my friend I have seen Dead and Company so many times I can't count them all. Never saw a bad show. John Mayer and Bobby Weir rock they are fire 🔥 on their guitar 🎸 work. Peace and Love ✌️💜

[@kandacek63]

You must be a lot younger than I thought, for never having heard of some of these bands or musicians. :) I was a youngster in the ‘70s. I didn’t pick up on the GD until I was out of high school. Classic Country and Classic Rock are my jam. I’m having fun watching you discover some of these icons that I grew up listening to.

[@LoisChisholm]

"Truckin" gets my vote.

[@sabrinadwyer7327]

Agreed!!! Love it!

[@magekaz6719]

I agree a good start is Cornell 5-8-77. Start with "scarlet begonias" into "fire on the mountain" and go from there... also try "eyes of the world" and US Blues from Winterland '74. Then try 4-6-82 Philly spectrum- the entire 2nd set.

[@The_Philosopher_King701]

One of the greatest experiences in my life was my first Grateful Dead concert. It wasn't just the music. It was the people, the vibe. I never danced so much in my life. I saw 3 shows before Jerry died. I saw a couple of Further Festivals and they were good. But Jerry made it special somehow.

[@pooldude317]

Dead Heads love to share the music, a good get into is studio of Truckin', then live.. The shows were great in they were never the same 2 days in a row.

[@s51curtis]

The story goes that the Harvard Business School used the Grateful Dead as an example of how to successfully market your brand. For example, they encouraged their concert audiences to record the concerts and share the tapes which was a very effective form of free advertising. They sold their concert tickets directly to buyers, passing along to them the savings of not having to pay a middle man. They may not have had as many fans as other groups, but their fans were the most loyal.

[@limojag]

I saw them in concert when this was a hit

[@allendesalme197]

Listen to "Truckin'", "Ripple", Casey Jones", "Ballin' the Jack", "Sugar Magnolia" - they have so many great songs in so many different styles - Jerry Garcia, the lead guitar player, had huge hands and played some guitar chords I cannot even reach

[@misterx1969]

Hit up the first side of their second album. Anthem of the sun. Its a multi part song called 'thats it for the other one"

[@mikerickson01]

You mentioned their concert at Columbia. The students at Columbia were sitting-in in protest of the Vietnam war. The campus was locked down, surrounded by cops and the Dead had to break into the college to play for the protesters.

[@sabrinadwyer7327]

I used to see them in Vegas every year! Touch of Grey is not the best song. Their old Stuff is so much better like Franklin Tower, Friend of the devil and Sugar Magnolia etc. But kudos for trying something new.

[@chrissylee325]

Sugar Magnolia is my FAV 😊

[@adambrown2130]

So I ALWAYS recommend the Cornell 77 show. Like, the whole show lol. But to pick one highlight, I’d listen to Scarlett Begonias (studio version), Fire on the Mountain (studio), then listen to them back to back on that live album (you can find “Scarlett Fire” on KZbin). I proooooomise if you do that you won’t be disappointed.

[@memorylen1]

The greatest band of all time. They are the Beatles with balls! They began in 1965 and this song if from their album Touch of Grey from 1987. Which was their biggest commercial success, which was 22! years later. Everyone suggests you listen to their live music but as a grateful dead fan since 1973 I suggest you listen to their studio recordings here are some suggestions. Eyes of the world from Wake of the flood. Franklin’s Tower from Blues for Allah. Fire on the Mountain from Shakedown Street. That’s a good beginner’s group.

[@mamaflush9945]

Dead head...here 🙋‍♀️ I thought I'd suggest a song, if interested. "Grateful Dead - China Cat Sunflower/I know You Rider - (5-3-72)" (by the channel: Grateful Dead) --This was performed in 72' in Paris, France. This song is from their album called "Aoxomoxoa" released in 1969. The lyrics were written by Robert Hunter and the music was composed by Jerry Garcia. Always enjoy chilling with fellow "Dead heads" 💯✌️💞

[@mastandstars]

good ol China / Rider 😍

[@NancyStonebridge]

Im.glad u like it u have a long way to go enjoy ur ride its a blast yes good drugs then with good music im not a dead head but love that song ..thank u 🎉

[@turquoisemfldr]

Terapin Station would have been a long song but a better one imo

[@KCHanson100]

Yes. Just go with any of those. This goes deep and wide, you'll hear stuff you don't love probably. You find other stuff fascinating, confusing, intriguing. Eventually though, your mind will be blown.

[@vetstadiumastroturf5756]

Eyes of the World (live from 78)

[@billhealey2060]

The more Grateful Dead you consume the more you will be transfixed. It's not just music, the band is a movement, a sub-cultural experience that transports you to a "high"er place.

[@tenjed4224]

Touch of Grey was written in the early 80s by Robert hunter, and appeared on their setlists on a regular. Then Jerry had a stroke, that left him paralyzed on one side and not knowing most songs. He spent months rehablilitating, and then went back on the road with new vengeance. Then In the Dark, which contains Touch of Grey, was released. A new surgance of fans became Dead Heads. As for what would be the next song you should listen to will be varied. There are many songs, from several different eras. Go live and pick something funky - maybe shakedown street.

[@scottmeeks662]

The dog cracks me every time!!

[@SuMor816]

Someone once said that most bands play the same concert every night for different people but the Grateful Dead play different concerts every night for the same people. My recommendation would be Brown Eyed Women from the famous Barton Hall concert. Jerry at his best.

[@charlesmcmurray4727]

I would go with West LA Fadeaway (a live version). I think this is a good intro for newbies ( no offense). It gives a good jam session & blends a few different styles without going so far as to scare some away from moving on down the road of their Greatful Dead Journey…. Edit: if looking for a good version on KZbin- Anaheim, CA 7/26/87

[@ElaineDayton-o1i]

As a guitarist have you listened to Roy Clark. There's a clip of him playing Malaguena on the Odd Couple ( a tv sit com). You will be blown away.

[@d1138vader]

Best American band of all time. You have a lot of catching up to do. Idk what you are into, but I think you should check out eyes of the world, terrapin station, estimated prophet, shakedown street, Fire on the mountain, Althea, weather report suite, Stella Blue…honestly just listen to it all

[@gkiferonhs]

As a guitarist, watch Bob Weir. He's their rhythm guitarist, but instead of just standing there strumming an E chord he'll be playing a different E chord on each stroke and in a melodic way that fits the song.

[@laneykehel5057]

The live concert in the JFK stadium - the last night it was open. They played Iko Iko - here is a link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6Srh6SFZ71gpLM

[@brianorzel1873]

I've always loved "Box of Rain"

[@AP-gb3eh]

TGD is like jamming with friends . Just be cool and enjoy the music and the vibe . Music videos happened 20 years after they started

[@Stephen-nd1sx]

I've been waiting for you to get to the grateful dead. Thousands of otherworldly concerts.

[@eye95records]

Thats a perfect 1st song. That song though is one that is not improvised. There are so many loose songs that they need some to bring us back when we are way out in space

[@chrishutchison8682]

3 things about this video. 1 it was tglhe 80's. 2 the Skelton and Roses is a big Dead thing. 3 the 1st time I played this band for my Mom she also thought it would be like death metal. I understand why you would be confused. Thanks for the reaction.

[@JamiHeart]

Sugar Magnolia, Truckin', Casey Jones, Cumberland Blues

[@hlawrencepowell]

This was fairly late. They'd been around for almost 25 years by the time this song came out. It's not their best by any means. They had a ton of g\'great' stuff before that. Dozens of songs.

[@TutorWindow]

Smoke a bowl or two and listen to the concert "The Closing of Winterland." An evening totally worthy.

[@willtopper]

Red Rocks 77 ... Watkins Glen

[@PeterOConnell-pq6io]

Despite seeing ~a dozen of their concerts, I can't claim 'Deadhead' status. But, by pure coincidence, got to have dinner with Phil Lesh via a mutual friend. He is very personable guy. For even more original content, try their early on "Live Dead" album.

[@tenjed4224]

The thing is, more people are DeadHeads than most know. Often a person can be known by a sticker attached to a car, or a Jerry tie, at work. But the Dead did something with live music that made it unnecessary for most to get more than a couple of studio records, to add to their collection. The live shows were fierce. And for a long time TapeHeads, in their own section at shows, could record the shows with the Dead's permission. They then traded those tapes with others, exponentially growing the scene. So when you see totals for viewership of certain songs, just know they don't tell the whole story. There are more live recordings of the Dead than any other band ... by a long shot. And nearly all shows are different.

[@sdmwoodworking]

"Brokedown Palace" is one of my longtime favorites, and "Eyes of the World" is rather nice. (The cover by Grateful Drag, who have a channel on KZbin, is really good too.) I don't think I'll recommend "Dark Star" because you really had to be there. I'll second what's been said below: the live recordings are best.

[@57rgball]

I feel like they cut the solo out of that music video, which is what I want hear. Jerry noodling himself into something that makes the hairs on your arms stand up.

[@janna2245]

Black Muddy River , Cumberland blues, Dark Star... Scarlet/ Fire 5/8/77

[@tombeyerlein3813]

Sebs, I just discovered your channel tonight and appreciate your intelligent reactions. I think this song may have been an unfortunate instruction to the Dead. After decades as a cult favorite, they had a late career smash with this tune, which is uncharacteristically commercial for them. Not a bad song, just not very representative of their art. Please don't let your exploration of the Dead end with this.