Garcia, Jerry (1942-1995), was an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who became famous as the leader of the rock band the Grateful Dead. The group was formed in 1965 in San Francisco and was important in the hippie movement. The Grateful Dead was an immensely popular touring band for nearly 30 years.
Jerome John Garcia was born on Aug. 1, 1942, in San Francisco. When he was 4 years old, he lost part of his right middle finger in an accident. Garcia took piano lessons as a child and later began playing banjo. He took up the guitar when he was a teenager. From 1960 to 1965, Garcia played with a number of groups. In 1965, he formed the Warlocks with fellow guitarist and vocalist Bob Weir; bassist, trumpeter, and vocalist Phil Lesh; drummer Bill Kreutzmann; and keyboardist and vocalist Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. The group changed its name to the Grateful Dead after six months.
The Grateful Dead was more famous for its live performances than for its records. Garcia was known for his long, improvised guitar solos in concert. The group’s concerts often lasted for hours. The band’s devoted fans, who followed the band from city to city, became known as Deadheads.
In 1987, after performing for more than 20 years, the Grateful Dead had its only hit single, “Touch of Grey,” which was co-written by Garcia. Garcia was the co-writer of many of the band’s other notable songs, including “Dark Star” (1968) and the 1970 releases “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones,” “Friend of the Devil,” and “Truckin’.”
Garcia performed in, and helped found, a number of other groups, including the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, Legion of Mary, and New Riders of the Purple Sage. He also recorded a number of solo albums. Garcia was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead. He died on Aug. 9, 1995.
See also Grateful Dead ; Rock music (The San Francisco scene) .
