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When The Grateful Dead first performed on June 18, 1965, there were 5 members: Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Ron (Pigpen) McKerren and Billy Kreutzman. Later, in 1968 Micky Hart joined as second percussionist. Pigpen died in 1972 and was replaced (in 1971) by Keith Godchaux and his wife, singer Donna Jean Godchaux, although experimentalist keyboard Tom Constantean joined for a 2-3 years starting in 1973. The Godchaux's left the band in the late 70's and were replaced by keyboardist Brent Midland in 1980. He died in 1990 and was replaced by Bruce Hornsby, who declined an offer to become a permanant member but spent 1991 on tour with keyboardist Vince Welnick who was the bands keyboardist untill thier final concert on July 9, 1995 at Chicago's Solider Field.

Jerry Garcia died in Aug1995, and the remaining members retired the name "Grateful Dead", but continue performing music together as Further, The Other Ones, Phil and Friends etc...

So, who is the Grateful Dead? Anyone of the above people at one time were considered members of "Grateful Dead" but the core group that is alive today is Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Billy Kreatzman and Mickey Hart.

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The Greatful Dead were a band form the sixties, very influential and active in the peace/beatnic movement. They never quit touring or recording. They had a following of rabid fans that went from city to city with them, surviving as best they could. Die hard hippies living free and loving life.

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10y ago
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14y ago

The Grateful Dead were originally called The Warlocks before they changed their name to The Grateful Dead in 1965. The Grateful Dead were originally called The Warlocks before they changed their name to The Grateful Dead in 1965.

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11y ago

The Warlocks

But before that, for at least one show (as detailed below), there was a seed-crystal known as "Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions."

The following is copied from "a daily magazine dedicated to exploring the world of music" that you'll find at

"It was July 1964, when a small audience gathered in the music hall of a Palo Alto, California Pizza and beer hang-out called The Tangent. It's certain that no one in attendance knew how priceless a slice of Grateful Dead history they were about to witness or that thirty-five years later, this collection would be released by Grateful Dead Merchandising and hailed as the Rosetta Stone of Grateful Dead tape Archaeology. Yet, there they were - Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron Pigpen McKernan, and three other musicians, performing a 45-minute set of jug band music."

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13y ago

my opinion is yes...but it depends what kind of music you like

They built an empire based on a music and lifestyle that didn't exist before them. They proved that a band doesn't need a record contract to "make it". They allowed fans to record their shows and share them freely. Much later in their career they helped to found the Rainforest Action Network which created products using the resources of the rainforest and giving the people of the amazon an alternative other than cutting down the forest for money. Sounds pretty cool to me.

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13y ago

The very first show ever played was May 5, 1965 under the name of the Warlocks. Phil Lesh was not even a member yet, he joined a month later. The show was at Magoo's Pizza Parlor. First show as the Grateful Dead was December 4, 1965 at the San Jose Acid Test.

~ The origin of the dead was Jerry Garcia and Pig Pen first doing folk. Then a jug band called "Mother Mcree's uptown jugband champions" played by Jerry, Pigpen and Bob Weir, who's guitar teacher at the time was Jerry Garcia. They later formed "The Warlocks" also in '64 with drummer Billy and later on with bass player Phil who replaced Dana Morgan jr. Jerry became quick friends with Phil and taught him how to play the bass. They changed their name to the grateful dead, due to the warlocks already being a band in the area. Some say it was due to the biker gang with the same name and the bands connection with the hell's angels. This is False. There are also many stories to how they got their name "Grateful Dead", but Jerry can tell you the best. The dictionary was simply opned up and pointed rite on Grateful Dead" ~ TI

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12y ago

The original 5 members of the Grateful Dead in 1965 were Jerry Garcia - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bob Weir - Vocals, Rythm Guitar, Phil Lesh - Bass, Ron (Pigpen) McKernan - Keyboards and Bill Kreutzmann - Drums.

In '67 Mickey Hart - Drums was added to the band.

From '68 to '70 Pigpen was replaced by Tom Constanten. Pigpen Returned in '70 and again left the band under the advice of his doctor and was replaced by Kieth Godchaux, the husband of back-up vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux (Donna the Bufallo). Pigpen returned briefly to the band from 1971 - 1972 playing his final show at The Hollywood bowl, all his failing health and liver allowed, and he passed away in March of '73. He was the first to pass in what was to become the rumored Curse of the GD keyboardists. Kieth Godchaux returned to the keyboards following Pigpens illness and played from '72 to '79, when he was replaced by Brent Mydland. A narrow escape one would think, but less than a year after leaving the band Kieth was killed in a car accident. Brent Mydland, arguably (not by me) the best keyboardist they ever had could sing, write, and hammer the keys like no one else, played with the band until 1990. His last show was July 24, 1990. He was found dead early in the morning of the 26th from a heroine overdose. Vince Welnick joined the band as keyboardist along with Bruce Hornsby who partnered with Welnick on keyboards for a little over 100 shows, then Welnick took over solo with the band until 1995 and the Death of Jerry Garcia. Welnick sunk into a depression over the death of Garcia but tried to carry on joining one of The Deads more popular Tribute bands, Cubensis. Less than a month after his Cubensis tour in 2006, his battle with depression and his long battle with cancer got the best of him and Vince took his own life.

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10y ago

The band, The Greatful Dead, has had many members since it's debut. The original members of the band were, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Rob McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann.

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15y ago

The Warlocks

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3y ago

Warlords

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Q: What was the band Grateful Dead once called?
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When did the grateful dead break up?

One of the band members died in August of 1995, the band formally decided to dissolve their group. However, the remaining players still reunite every once in a while and have performed and released albums under numerous different names. For example: Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh formed a new band and dubbed it The Other Ones. They released an album called The Strange Remain in 1999. In 2000, The Other Ones toured once more with the addition of Bill Kreutzmann, but without Phil Lesh. The latter returned for another tour in 2002. The Other Ones changed their name to The Dead in 2003 and are still playing under that name. In conclusion, the official band, The Grateful Dead, 'broke up' in 1995.


How many many top ten hits does the grateful dead haves?

they only reached the top 40 once, with 'Touch of Grey' reaching number 9 in 1987


Who sings 2000's song you only love once?

is there a band called the strokes


What is Steve Jobs favorite song?

While it is unclear what his favorite song was, we are aware of some of his favorite artists. Steve has stated that he is a fan of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Grateful Dead. He is also a self proclaimed audiophile and once purchased a $100,000 stereo system. For more information please click on the related link.


How did the band As I Lay Dying get their name?

In the Bands DVD "This is who we are" it said that as i lay dying was once named "A life once Lost" but once they found out there was already a band with that name they decided to change their name. The guitar player who is not with the band anymore had been reading the book " As i lay dying" and thought it was a cool name.

Related questions

When did the grateful dead break up?

One of the band members died in August of 1995, the band formally decided to dissolve their group. However, the remaining players still reunite every once in a while and have performed and released albums under numerous different names. For example: Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh formed a new band and dubbed it The Other Ones. They released an album called The Strange Remain in 1999. In 2000, The Other Ones toured once more with the addition of Bill Kreutzmann, but without Phil Lesh. The latter returned for another tour in 2002. The Other Ones changed their name to The Dead in 2003 and are still playing under that name. In conclusion, the official band, The Grateful Dead, 'broke up' in 1995.


When did Grateful Dead break up?

One of the band members died in August of 1995, the band formally decided to dissolve their group. However, the remaining players still reunite every once in a while and have performed and released albums under numerous different names. For example: Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Phil Lesh formed a new band and dubbed it The Other Ones. They released an album called The Strange Remain in 1999. In 2000, The Other Ones toured once more with the addition of Bill Kreutzmann, but without Phil Lesh. The latter returned for another tour in 2002. The Other Ones changed their name to The Dead in 2003 and are still playing under that name. In conclusion, the official band, The Grateful Dead, 'broke up' in 1995.


Where can one purchase the Grateful Dead DVD collection?

You can purchase the Greateful Dead DVD Collection from retailers such as Amazon. Once on the page, type "The Greatful Dead DVD Collection" into the search field and press enter to bring up the DVD for purchase.


How many many top ten hits does the grateful dead haves?

they only reached the top 40 once, with 'Touch of Grey' reaching number 9 in 1987


What band was once called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section?

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How did the who form?

The Who formed when Kenneth Moon joined the original band that was called The Detours. Once he joined, the name of the band was changed to The Who.


Who sings 2000's song you only love once?

is there a band called the strokes


Which former australian prime minister once managed a rock band called the ramrods?

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What star of the first Godfather movie once sang for a rock band called the Roadrunners?

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Are the band What Once Was a Christian band?

Yes, they are Christian.


Is ABBA the best album?

It was once, I think ABBA was a great band! It was once, I think ABBA was a great band!


What is Steve Jobs favorite song?

While it is unclear what his favorite song was, we are aware of some of his favorite artists. Steve has stated that he is a fan of Bob Dylan, The Beatles and The Grateful Dead. He is also a self proclaimed audiophile and once purchased a $100,000 stereo system. For more information please click on the related link.