Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip: The Stories Behind Every Song 1965-1995 [Paperback]

Stephen Peters (Author)

Book Description

Series: Stories Behind Every Song | Publication Date: March 31, 1999

Over three years after cofounder Jerry Garcia's death, the Grateful Dead continues to be one of the world's most popular rock bands. While much has been written about the group over the last three decades, the tales behind the Grateful Dead's songs have never been fully examined. This book takes a song-by-song look at this legendary band. Find out what historical incidents and characters led to such classics as "New Speedway Boogie," "Truckin'," and "Casey Jones." Because not all Grateful Dead tunes appeared on their studio albums, this volume also includes a chapter with fan favorites the band played but never officially released, including "Looks Like Rain," "Lazy Lightning," and "Mexicali Blues."

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Music journalist Stephen Peters has been writing about the Grateful Dead for over a decade. He lives in Ohio.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Thunder's Mouth Press (March 31, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560252332
• ISBN-13: 978-1560252337
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #746,842 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Grateful Dead's Menu of Songs: Deep Roots, June 30, 2000

By 

Thaddeus P Tellers (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip: The Stories Behind Every Song 1965-1995 (Paperback)

Pete Townsend of The Who, after playing on the same bill with the Dead at a two-day festival, made an observation that partially sums up the very existence of those known as "Deadheads". He said "They played two 3-hour sets and didn't repeat a song; we played the same set we've been doing for the last 6 years". The Dead had a hefty catalog of songs (of course,they also performed excellent cover versions of others' tunes). This book is a fan's dream because it is a compilation of original songs with historical/anecdotal/interpretive background information on each selection. As any appreciator of the band knows, Jerry Garcia collaborated with poet/songwriter Robert Hunter on the majority of Dead originals; Hunter keeps company with the likes of Bob Dylan in anybody's list of great American rock pen-wielders.Dead guitarist Bob Weir wrote many songs performed by the band with long-time friend and cyber-genius John Barlowe. The beauty of Grateful Dead songs is their double-edged nature; yes, "Casey Jones" is based on a real train conductor and a real train wreck (Americana!), but the writers weave their own experience and ambiguous view of life into the song.Simply stated, the songs are deceptively DEEP - deep in meaning and deep in the soil of the American experience. Don't look for this book to explain what every song meant (that's for you to ponder, Hunter would say). However, there is invaluable and often just fun background (i.e.the Altamont tragedy and "New Speedway Boogie"; the staccato rhythmn of "The Greatest Story Ever Told" being loosely based on the sound made by a pump on Mickey Hart's ranch). Pick this book up, even if you only have a few minutes, turn to any page, and be enlightened and entertained.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great companion to the music of the Dead, June 5, 2009

By 

R. German (Fredericksburg, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip: The Stories Behind Every Song 1965-1995 (Paperback)

I had been periodically browsing Dodds' Annotated Lyrics website, when I realized I needed more. I picked up this book, as well as the published version of Dodds' work, and found that they each have information that the other does not. If you really want to dig deep into the roots of the music of the Grateful Dead, I recommend this book as part of your process.

3 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, August 5, 2001

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Grateful Dead: What a Long, Strange Trip: The Stories Behind Every Song 1965-1995 (Paperback)

If you enjoy the Dead you'll enjoy the stories behind the songs. There is nothing superficial about what Peter's writes. You'll thoroughly enjoy this book.