Perspectives on the "Grateful Dead"

The Grateful Dead, one of the most meticulously documented rock bands, significantly influenced American music and popular culture. Their popularity has endured for three decades despite mixed critical reception. Jerry Garcia, thought of among many as a musical icon and spokesperson for more than one generation of fans, was often equally scorned by various critics. This collection of essays attests to the varied fields of interest the band and its followers, known as "Deadheads", have affected, including psychology, law and ethnomusicology. The contributions explore the diversity of the culture of fans, empirically analyze the music, apply literary criticism to the lyrics, and explore Dead-related philosophical and theological concepts - in other words, they are as eclectic as the myriad Grateful Dead fans themselves.