What was the band Grateful Dead once called?

Answer 1

When The Grateful Dead first performed on June 18, 1965, there were 5 members: Bob Weir, Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, Ron (Pigpen) McKerren and Billy Kreutzman. Later, in 1968 Micky Hart joined as second percussionist. Pigpen died in 1972 and was replaced (in 1971) by Keith Godchaux and his wife, singer Donna Jean Godchaux, although experimentalist keyboard Tom Constantean joined for a 2-3 years starting in 1973. The Godchaux's left the band in the late 70's and were replaced by keyboardist Brent Midland in 1980. He died in 1990 and was replaced by Bruce Hornsby, who declined an offer to become a permanant member but spent 1991 on tour with keyboardist Vince Welnick who was the bands keyboardist untill thier final concert on July 9, 1995 at Chicago's Solider Field.

Jerry Garcia died in Aug1995, and the remaining members retired the name "Grateful Dead", but continue performing music together as Further, The Other Ones, Phil and Friends etc...

So, who is the Grateful Dead? Anyone of the above people at one time were considered members of "Grateful Dead" but the core group that is alive today is Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Billy Kreatzman and Mickey Hart.

Answer

The Greatful Dead were a band form the sixties, very influential and active in the peace/beatnic movement. They never quit touring or recording. They had a following of rabid fans that went from city to city with them, surviving as best they could. Die hard hippies living free and loving life.

Answer 2

The Grateful Dead were originally called The Warlocks before they changed their name to The Grateful Dead in 1965. The Grateful Dead were originally called The Warlocks before they changed their name to The Grateful Dead in 1965.

Answer 3

The Warlocks

But before that, for at least one show (as detailed below), there was a seed-crystal known as "Mother McCree's Uptown Jug Champions."

The following is copied from "a daily magazine dedicated to exploring the world of music" that you'll find at

"It was July 1964, when a small audience gathered in the music hall of a Palo Alto, California Pizza and beer hang-out called The Tangent. It's certain that no one in attendance knew how priceless a slice of Grateful Dead history they were about to witness or that thirty-five years later, this collection would be released by Grateful Dead Merchandising and hailed as the Rosetta Stone of Grateful Dead tape Archaeology. Yet, there they were - Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron Pigpen McKernan, and three other musicians, performing a 45-minute set of jug band music."

Answer 4

my opinion is yes...but it depends what kind of music you like

They built an empire based on a music and lifestyle that didn't exist before them. They proved that a band doesn't need a record contract to "make it". They allowed fans to record their shows and share them freely. Much later in their career they helped to found the Rainforest Action Network which created products using the resources of the rainforest and giving the people of the amazon an alternative other than cutting down the forest for money. Sounds pretty cool to me.

Answer 5

The very first show ever played was May 5, 1965 under the name of the Warlocks. Phil Lesh was not even a member yet, he joined a month later. The show was at Magoo's Pizza Parlor. First show as the Grateful Dead was December 4, 1965 at the San Jose Acid Test.

~ The origin of the dead was Jerry Garcia and Pig Pen first doing folk. Then a jug band called "Mother Mcree's uptown jugband champions" played by Jerry, Pigpen and Bob Weir, who's guitar teacher at the time was Jerry Garcia. They later formed "The Warlocks" also in '64 with drummer Billy and later on with bass player Phil who replaced Dana Morgan jr. Jerry became quick friends with Phil and taught him how to play the bass. They changed their name to the grateful dead, due to the warlocks already being a band in the area. Some say it was due to the biker gang with the same name and the bands connection with the hell's angels. This is False. There are also many stories to how they got their name "Grateful Dead", but Jerry can tell you the best. The dictionary was simply opned up and pointed rite on Grateful Dead" ~ TI

Answer 6

The original 5 members of the Grateful Dead in 1965 were Jerry Garcia - Vocals, Lead Guitar, Bob Weir - Vocals, Rythm Guitar, Phil Lesh - Bass, Ron (Pigpen) McKernan - Keyboards and Bill Kreutzmann - Drums.

In '67 Mickey Hart - Drums was added to the band.

From '68 to '70 Pigpen was replaced by Tom Constanten. Pigpen Returned in '70 and again left the band under the advice of his doctor and was replaced by Kieth Godchaux, the husband of back-up vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux (Donna the Bufallo). Pigpen returned briefly to the band from 1971 - 1972 playing his final show at The Hollywood bowl, all his failing health and liver allowed, and he passed away in March of '73. He was the first to pass in what was to become the rumored Curse of the GD keyboardists. Kieth Godchaux returned to the keyboards following Pigpens illness and played from '72 to '79, when he was replaced by Brent Mydland. A narrow escape one would think, but less than a year after leaving the band Kieth was killed in a car accident. Brent Mydland, arguably (not by me) the best keyboardist they ever had could sing, write, and hammer the keys like no one else, played with the band until 1990. His last show was July 24, 1990. He was found dead early in the morning of the 26th from a heroine overdose. Vince Welnick joined the band as keyboardist along with Bruce Hornsby who partnered with Welnick on keyboards for a little over 100 shows, then Welnick took over solo with the band until 1995 and the Death of Jerry Garcia. Welnick sunk into a depression over the death of Garcia but tried to carry on joining one of The Deads more popular Tribute bands, Cubensis. Less than a month after his Cubensis tour in 2006, his battle with depression and his long battle with cancer got the best of him and Vince took his own life.

Answer 7

The band, The Greatful Dead, has had many members since it's debut. The original members of the band were, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Rob McKernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill Kreutzmann.

Answer 8

The Warlocks

Answer 9

Warlords