New Coffee-Table Book Features Jim Marshall’s Grateful Dead Photos

In a recording studio in San Rafael, California, in 1977, the lead singer of The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia, was captured during a rehearsal. This iconic band, known for its unique musical style, had a significant presence in the 1960s and 1970s. Before their rise to fame, the band members, including Ron “Pigpen” McKernan and Mickey Hart, were part of the vibrant music scene in San Francisco.

The 1960s in San Francisco were a time of questioning social norms and embracing individuality. Jim Marshall, a renowned photographer, captured this spirit through his lens. Moving back to his hometown of San Francisco in 1965, Marshall settled on Haight Street, where the counterculture movement was in full swing. Men and women expressed themselves freely, with men growing their hair long and women sporting bandannas. The traditional styles of the 1950s were quickly becoming outdated in the face of the new wave of rock music and experimentation.

The Grateful Dead’s unique sound and memorable performances made them a staple in the music scene of the 1960s and beyond. Images of the band near iconic venues like the Fillmore Auditorium in Denver and San Francisco capture the essence of their music and lifestyle. In 1967, Jerry Garcia was photographed with his second wife, Carolyn “Mountain Girl” Garcia, and their dog Lady at their home on Ashbury Street in San Francisco. This glimpse into their personal lives adds a layer of intimacy to the band’s public persona.

The Fillmore Auditorium, a renowned music venue, holds many memories for fans and musicians alike. Photographs of Bill Graham outside the auditorium and Mickey Hart at the entrance in 1968 showcase the vibrant music scene of the time. The Matrix, a popular nightclub in San Francisco, was a gathering place for musicians and fans. Al Kooper, Mountain Girl, Garcia, and Jack Casady were captured backstage in 1969, highlighting the camaraderie within the music community.

One of the band’s last free concerts on Haight Street in 1968 marked the end of an era. Bill Kreutzmann’s performance at the Sky River Rock Festival in Washington in 1968 was another milestone in the band’s history. Through Marshall’s lens, these moments are frozen in time, preserving the energy and passion of the band and their fans.

The personal lives of the band members, including Pigpen and Mountain Girl’s daughter Sunshine Kesey, provide a glimpse into the human side of these rock legends. Garcia’s shirt hanging in the dressing room of the Fillmore Auditorium in 1966 reveals the behind-the-scenes moments that added to the band’s mystique.

Jim Marshall’s photographs of The Grateful Dead offer a unique perspective on the band’s journey through the tumultuous 1960s. The collection of images captures not only their musical talent but also the spirit of the era and the lives of the people who shaped it. Each photograph tells a story, offering a window into a time of change, creativity, and rebellion in American history.