An alphabetical history of rock 'n' roll's most iconic band...the
Grateful Dead.
Featuring playful rhymes and glorious illustrations, The ABCs of the
Grateful Dead celebrates the band's rich and dynamic history. Each
letter of the alphabet highlights a significant moment, cultural
contribution, or innovation along the band's journey, from their
groundbreaking release of American Beauty to their pioneering Wall of
Sound, from the beloved dancing bears to their singular community of
tape traders.
This delightfully kaleidoscopic look back on the Grateful Dead will
entertain first-time readers as well as diehard fans of all ages.
The Grateful Dead is a social and musical phenomenon that grew into a
genuine American treasure. In 1965, an entire generation was linked
together by common ideals, gathering by the hundreds and thousands. This
movement created a seamless connection between the band and its fans. As
the band toured, Dead Heads would follow. Not because it was a part of
popular culture, but because it is a true counterculture that exists to
this very day-one that earnestly believes in the value of its beliefs.
By 1995, the Grateful Dead had attracted the most concert goers in the
history of the music business, and today remain one of the all-time
leaders in concert ticket sales. Eventually, the caravan evolved into a
community with various artists, craftsmen and entrepreneurs supplying a
growing demand for merchandise that connected them to the music. Today,
the connection is as strong as ever. The band was inducted into the Rock
& Roll Hall Of Fame in 1994 and received a Grammy(R) Lifetime
Achievement Award in 2007. Their final tally of 2,318 total concerts
remains a world record. The Grateful Dead recently celebrated their 53rd
top 40 album on the Billboard chart, a feat no other group has
achieved.
