Reunions of the Grateful Dead
The Grateful Dead were an American rock band known for their lengthy, partially improvised performances, as well as for a loyal fan base who often followed the band for several shows or entire tours. They disbanded in 1995, following the death of de facto bandleader Jerry Garcia.[1] Since then remaining members have reunited for a number of concert tours and one-off performances, often in very different configurations. The following is a list of instances where former Grateful Dead members have reunited.
Other than Jerry Garcia, the Grateful Dead's main performing members were Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart. Garcia, Weir, Lesh and Kreutzmann were in the band from its inception in 1965 until its demise in 1995, while Hart had a tenure of 25 non-consecutive years. The other then-current or former members of the Grateful Dead who were living at the time that the band broke up were Tom Constanten, Donna Jean Godchaux, and Vince Welnick. Additionally, Bruce Hornsby was in the lineup for many Dead concerts and was considered an unofficial member of the band. Already deceased in 1995 were Ron "Pigpen" McKernan, Keith Godchaux, and Brent Mydland.
In 1998 guitarist , bassist Phil Lesh, drummer Mickey Hart and touring keyboardist Bruce Hornsby formed a band called the Other Ones.[2] They toured America with guitarists Steve Kimock and Mark Karan, saxophonist Dave Ellis, and drummer John Molo.[3] A live album from this tour, The Strange Remain, was released in 1999.[4] This series of concerts was part of the third annual Furthur Festival tour, which also featured Hot Tuna and Rusted Root.[5]
Bob Weir
In 2000 the Other Ones launched another tour featuring former Grateful Dead members Weir, Hart, Hornsby and drummer . Lesh declined to participate and was replaced by Alphonso Johnson. Steve Kimock and Mark Karan continued their roles as co-lead guitarists.[6]
Bill Kreutzmann
In 2002 an Other Ones line-up of Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart toured the United States with guitarist , keyboardists Jeff Chimenti and Rob Barraco, and vocalist Susan Tedeschi. This was the first time that Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann, and Hart had toured together since 1995.[7][8]
Jimmy Herring
On April 12, 1996, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir joined the Bruce Hornsby Band for the four final songs of the concert, including three Grateful Dead standards and a cover of 's "The Weight".
the Band
In June 1996, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Vince Welnick joined the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra for three consecutive concerts, performing 's Renga on the first two nights, and an improvisational "Space" segment dedicated to American composer Henry Cowell on the third night.
John Cage
In the summer of 1996, the first Furthur Festival toured the United States. Each concert featured performances by multiple bands, including Bob Weir and RatDog, Mickey Hart's Mystery Box, and Bruce Hornsby and his band, along with and Los Lobos. Weir, Hart, and Hornsby often played together in a jam session at the end of each show, and sometimes sat in with each other's bands for a few songs. They were joined at the Shoreline Amphitheatre show by Phil Lesh.[46][47]
Hot Tuna
On March 6, 1997, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh joined the David Murray Octet for several songs at in San Francisco.
The Fillmore
In the summer of 1997, the second Furthur Festival toured the country. The bands at each show included Bob Weir and RatDog, Mickey Hart and Planet Drum, and Bruce Hornsby, along with and Moe. Robert Hunter also performed at several of the shows. As on the previous year's tour, Weir, Hart, and Hornsby performed some songs together, and were joined at Shoreline by Phil Lesh.[48][49]
the Black Crowes
On July 25, 1998, at Shoreline Amphitheatre – the last show of the 1998 Furthur Festival tour – Bill Kreutzmann sat in for part of the performance by . It was the first time that Weir, Lesh, Hart, and Kreutzmann had played together since 1995.[50]
the Other Ones
On November 6, 1998, Phil Lesh guested with Bruce Hornsby's band to perform a few songs which included versions of "Scarlet Begonias" and "Tennessee Jed."
Bob Weir and Phil Lesh have sung the before several San Francisco Giants baseball games. On September 30, 1999, at the last Giants game at Candlestick Park, they sang it together with Donna Jean Godchaux.[51] Weir and Lesh sang the national anthem for Grateful Dead Tribute Night on August 9, 2010. That night Mickey Hart and Bill Walton led the crowd in singing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game".[52] Weir and Lesh sang the national anthem again on October 15, 2012, a playoff game for the Giants who were on their way to winning the World Series.[53] They sang it again on October 14, 2014, another playoff game en route to another world championship for the Giants.[54] The precedent for these patriotic performances occurred when the Grateful Dead were still together and Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Vince Welnick sang the national anthem before the Giants game on April 12, 1993.[55]
national anthem
On December 31, 1999, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart joined Bob Weir and Ratdog for a few songs. Ratdog members Mark Karan, Dave Ellis, bassist and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti backed the three for the first song played. Then Karan, Wasserman and Chimenti were replaced by guitarist Jorma Kaukonen, bassist Jack Casady and keyboardist Pete Sears for three songs.
Rob Wasserman
Vince Welnick was a member of the Mickey Hart Band for their summer 2000 tour.
[56]
On June 6, 2001, at in Mill Valley, California, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco and John Molo played a show as the Crusader Rabbit Stealth Band. On December 31, 2001, at the Kaiser Auditorium in Oakland, California, the Crusader Rabbit Stealth Band performed again, this time with a lineup of Phil Lesh and Friends (Phil Lesh, Warren Haynes, Jimmy Herring, Rob Barraco, and John Molo), Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart.[57][58][59]
Sweetwater Saloon
On July 23, 2002, Bob Weir and Bill Kreutzmann joined for one set. Phil Lesh & Friends guitarists Warren Haynes and Jimmy Herring, drummer John Molo and keyboardist Rob Barraco supported the three musicians.
Phil Lesh & Friends
On September 25, 2005, Weir, Kreutzmann, Hart, Bruce Hornsby and vocalist performed together at the Comes A Time tribute to Jerry Garcia. They were supported by many musicians who came and went through all the songs performed. Notable performers were guitarists Jimmy Herring, Warren Haynes and Trey Anastasio, and vocalists Gloria Jones and Jackie LaBranch. Bass duties were shared by Robin Sylvester and J.V. Collier.[60]
Donna Jean Godchaux
On August 19, 2006, Bob Weir joined Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart during the set at the Gathering of the Vibes. Remaining members of the Rhythm Devils Steve Kimock, bassist Mike Gordon and vocalist Jen Durkin played with them.
Rhythm Devils
On January 4, 2007, Weir, Kreutzmann, Hart and Bruce Hornsby reunited to perform at a fundraiser for speaker of the house . They were joined by Warren Haynes and Mike Gordon.
Nancy Pelosi
On February 4, 2008, Weir, Lesh and Hart performed a concert called to raise support for presidential candidate Barack Obama. Supporting musicians were John Molo, keyboardist Steve Molitz and guitarists Mark Karan, Barry Sless and Jackie Greene.[61]
Deadheads for Obama
On October 12, 2008, Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart performed a concert at called Change Rocks to raise support for presidential candidate Barack Obama. They were supported by Warren Haynes and Jeff Chimenti. The concert was seen as a follow-up to the Deadheads for Obama show earlier that year and it sparked a tour that commenced in 2009.[62]
Penn State University
Bob Weir has joined on several occasions. Bob Weir & RatDog and Phil Lesh & Friends shared a bill at two shows on December 30 and December 31, 2008. Both performances saw Weir and Lesh playing a brief set as a trio with either Jay Lane or John Molo depending on the night. The New Year's Eve show saw a post-midnight set by a band composed of Bob Weir and Phil Lesh along with several members of Phil Lesh & Friends. Bill Kreutzmann and Donna Jean Godchaux has also guested with Phil and his band.
Phil Lesh & Friends
On January 18, 2009, Bob Weir and Mickey Hart played at a brunch benefit for in Washington D.C. This was two days prior to the Dead playing a show at the Mid-Atlantic Ball for president Barack Obama.
Al Franken
On January 20, 2009, the Dead lineup of Weir, Lesh, Kreutzmann, Hart, Haynes and Chimenti played two sets in at the Mid-Atlantic Inaugural ball for President Barack Obama.[63]
Washington D.C.
On February 18 and 19, 2009, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh made guest appearances at Jackie Greene concerts. The two played brief sets as a trio with Greene in between sets by the Jackie Greene Band. On the 19th Weir and Lesh joined Jackie's band their closing set.
On March 28, 2009, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh sat in with during the final show of their 2009 run at the Beacon Theatre. They performed "Sugaree," "I Know You Rider," and "Franklin's Tower" with the Allmans during the beginning of the second set.
the Allman Brothers Band
On March 30, 2009, the Dead played three free shows in New York City. Tickets were made available to fans through a contest that lasted three hours on March 27, 2009. Weir, Lesh and Haynes played an acoustic set at the followed by a full band set at the Gramercy Theatre three hours later and a final show at the Roseland Ballroom. Earlier that day Weir, Lesh and Haynes performed an acoustic version of "Friend of the Devil" on The View.
Angel Orensanz Center
On August 3, 2012, Bob Weir and a rotating lineup of musicians performed a concert at in San Rafael, California called "Move Me Brightly: Celebrating Jerry Garcia's 70th Birthday". These musical artists included Phil Lesh, Donna Jean Godchaux, Jeff Chimenti, Joe Russo, and Mike Gordon. A concert video called Move Me Brightly was released in 2013.[65]
TRI Studios
On May 14, 2015, Weir, Kreutzmann and Hart performed a version of "Fire On the Mountain" together with a house band and with singing lead vocals. This was one of many performances at a concert called "Dear Jerry: Celebrating the Music of Jerry Garcia." More songs were performed by the musicians individually as well as with other collaborations and groups, including Phil Lesh's band Communion.[66]
Jimmy Cliff
On September 12, 2015, Bob Weir joined Bill Kreutzmann's band for their entire set at the third annual Lockn' Festival. Mickey Hart joined the band on drums for their final two songs, "One More Saturday Night" and "Not Fade Away." Although Phil Lesh did not perform with the trio, this set was followed immediately by a set from Phil Lesh & Friends which also featured Carlos Santana.[68]
Billy & the Kids
On May 3, 2017, Bob Weir and Phil Lesh played a concert at in San Rafael, California, accompanied by Jason Crosby, Grahame Lesh, and Scott Law.[69]
Terrapin Crossroads
On August 25, 2017, Bob Weir joined part of the performance of Phil Lesh and the Terrapin Family Band at the in Arrington, Virginia. Nicki Bluhm also sat in on some of the songs. The band featured Jason Crosby, Grahame Lesh, Ross James, and Alex Koford.[70]
Lockn' Festival
The Dead Ahead music festival took place near on January 12–15, 2024. The festival included two performances by a band billed as Dead Ahead, which has a lineup of Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Jeff Chimenti, Oteil Burbridge, Don Was, and Jay Lane. A number of other bands also performed at the festival, including Bobby Weir & Wolf Bros, Mickey Hart's Noche de Ondas, and Oteil & Friends.[74][75][76]
Cancun, Mexico
Former Grateful Dead members are in bold.
; Turley, Pamela (2018). Fare Thee Well: The Final Chapter of the Grateful Dead's Long, Strange Trip. New York: Hachette Books. ISBN 978-0-306-90306-9.