American rock band formed in Palo Alto, California in 1965 (originally as the Warlocks). Long-running classic lineup: Jerry Garcia (vocals/guitar, 1942-1995), Bob Weir (guitar/vocals, b. 1947), Phil Lesh (bass/vocals, 1940-2024), Bill Kreutzmann (drums), and Mickey Hart (drums, since 1967). Pigpen (Ron McKernan, 1945-1973), Keith Godchaux (1948-1980), Brent Mydland (1952-1990), and Vince Welnick (1951-2006) successively played keyboards. The defining band of the American jam-band tradition; their devoted fanbase the "Deadheads" pioneered the modern touring-fan culture.
Released 13 studio albums between The Grateful Dead (1967) and Built to Last (1989). Critical peak: American Beauty (1970) and Workingman's Dead (1970). Garcia died in 1995, effectively ending the band; subsequent projects (The Other Ones, The Dead, Furthur, Dead & Company) have continued the catalog. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994.
