The Diaries of a Deadhead

We’re like licorice. Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice.

To be a Deadhead from the surface is to appreciate the music of the Grateful Dead. Specifically the live aspect. But at its core, it’s much more than that. To be a Deadhead is to be a part of a community—the band’s values and vision naturally built a tribe, not just an audience. The Dead did that sonically, too, but the deeper draw always came from—and still does—the band’s elevated commitment to something bigger. A vision. You can see it in the photos and hear it in the words of the photographers themselves, who were also part of the tribe that devotedly followed the Dead.

Crowd of hippies walking in the street. Next to "Grateful Dead Spirit of Creation" poster of boy with headphones and electric guitar
Photo by James R. Anderson

Raceway Park

Englishtown, NJ | September 3, 1977

This photo was shot on one of the neighborhood roads that lead into the venue. We are about a mile from the gate and you can clearly hear one of the opening acts, New Riders of the Purple Sage, as they played their set.

Skull badge with photo of 3 men climbing on stage poles
Photo by James R. Anderson

Dillon Stadium

Hartford, CT | July 1974

We got inside pretty early, but the crew was still finalizing lights and stuff up on the Wall of Sound less than an hour before the band started playing.

Red Rocks Amphitheater, looking out onto stage with mountainous scene and crowd.
Photo by James R. Anderson

Red Rocks Amphitheater

Morrison, CO | August 12, 1979

Most everyone at this three-show run had traveled a great distance. Morrison is far traveling for almost every Deadhead.

From the crowd point of view, people with hands in the air facing the stage.
Photo by James R. Anderson

Dillon Stadium

Hartford, CT | July 31, 1974

This photo was taken during the first set of the three sets they played here this day/night. Warmth of the setting sun behind the Wall is how it felt, too. A very hot day in July.

Jerry Garcia playing guitar on stage
Photo by Mike Thut

Dillon Stadium

Hartford, CT | July 31, 1974

Jerry playing down with enthusiasm during this first set song.

Photo by James R. Anderson

New Haven Coliseum

New Haven, CT | May 5, 1977

The crowd forms outside the venue waiting for the Grateful Dead to perform live. A New Haven cop is getting himself in position here to help with crowd control and just possibly he’s spying something brewing that might need his attention.

Friends of the photographer play the card game setback in the brilliant sun before the Grateful Dead concert begins.
Photo by James R. Anderson

Roosevelt Stadium

Jersey City, NJ | August 4, 1974

Friends of the photographer play the card game setback in the brilliant sun before the Grateful Dead concert begins.

Giants stadium, looking down onto the stage with huge crowd and grateful dead bears badge on the corner.
Photo by James R. Anderson

Giants Stadium

East Rutherford, NJ | September 2, 1978

The Dead were on their way to play in front of the Egyptian Pyramids almost directly from this mega show.