Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead were a group like no other. At once, pioneers of the West Coast sound, a genre-breaking good-time band, reluctant figureheads for a generation and an American institution, they inspired hippies, Hell's Angels, beat poets and politicians. Now celebrating their 50th anniversary, Grateful Dead chronicles how, without significant airplay or chart success, they became the most successful touring act in rock history. These anti-stars were no pin-ups but virtuoso musicians, who millions saw live, propelling the 'Deadheads' to become the world's most fervent and celebrated fan base. Containing over 2,000 photographs, many rare or unseen, capture the most pivotal moments. Plus seminal posters, fan memorabilia and musical ephemera. Showcasing all the albums and landmark songs, plus key tours and events, this is more than just a book on the Grateful Dead, it is a history of American counter-culture and of an age a little more innocent.