DeadHeads
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| Deadheads dancing at a concert |
Background of Deadheads
The Grateful Dead was an American rock band formed in 1965 that stopped performing in 1995. The Grateful Dead was as well known for their fans as they were for their music. The fans named themselves "deadheads," since most followed this band on their many tours. These fans were very loyal and according to The University of North Carolina, they are described as "lazy, unwashed throwbacks to the 60's who used illegal drugs, dressed unconventionally, and valued collective experience more than material success."
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| Deadheads camping out before concert |
Behavior at Concerts
The Grateful Dead's most famous concert was on May 5, 1977 in Ithaca, NY at Barton Hall, Cornell University. The nearly three hour concert played songs from across the decade. The Deadheads found themselves on a nomadic pilgrimage so they can see their favorite band on tour. They did whatever they had to do, they hitchhiked, camped on the side of streets, or lived out of their car to see The Grateful Dead play. Another thing that Grateful Dead fans are known for is their substance use during concerts.
Box of Rain (2022) : Fan Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XeG1duWXykU
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| Dark Star Orchestra : Grateful Dead Cover Band |
Since not all the original members of the Grateful Dead are alive and the remaining members don't like to play without their lead singer, Jerry Garcia. Because of this, there are many cover bands. The most famous is the Dark Star Orchestra who just played in Williamsport, to which my dad and I attended. Dark Star orchestra is popular for giving their fans a Grateful Dead concert experience. As I talked about above, many fans enjoy using shrooms or marijuana before and during a concert. They enjoy being in a different headspace while listening to their favorite music . At the Williamsport concert I went to, I think my dad and I were the only sober ones in the building.
Merchendise
Many fans still show their love for The Grateful Dead by wearing some of their merchandise. The most obvious way to tell a Grateful Dead shirt from the rest, is the Grateful Dead bears. You can wear them on shirts, hats, and / or buy them as stickers to slap on anything.
Although the band no longer plays, their memory lives on through their fans who allow many to experience what a Grateful Dead concert would be like. Also, through those fans who wear their merchandise and still support such an iconic band.
Photo / video of Deadheads dancing at concert : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPLIVTtR9GE
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