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Grateful Dead
There's nothing like a Grateful Dead concert. Chanted at every concert, those words say it all. There really is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert. Fans knew they would encounter friends, old and new, at all the shows. Swaying and dancing to the melodies, many "Deadheads" would follow their favorite band from show to show. Author Michele C. Hollow has interviewed Bob Weir, lead singer, guitar player, and songwriter for the Grateful Dead; Dennis McNally, the Grateful Dead's publicist for over twenty years; as well as David Gans, the radio host of the nationally syndicated "Grateful Dead Hour."
* Reviews *
This is a well researched, nonfiction account of one the most famous bands to come out of the United States. Divided into eight chapters, the book covers the bands formation, thirty-year history, member biographies, and the historical context in which The Dead became such a phenomenon. Particularly well-handled is the explanation of the large role drugs played in the band members lives. (One died of a drug overdose.) Quotes such as Jerry Garcias How well we play together was always more important than the money, liven up the text. Deadheads, (fans of the band who attended many of their concerts) are also quoted: You couldnt categorize their music. They started out playing folk and bluegrass music, later switched to their version of psychedelic and rock, and switched back to bluegrass and folk, one Deadhead says. Photos in a variety of sizes and colors add visual support. For reference at the end of the book, there are time lines for when the groups albums were released, dates of major concert tours, a glossary, and additional reading resources. This book offers a fascinating picture of a piece of American social and cultural history, in addition to informing the reader about a band whose music lives on., Children's Literature
RL
Grades
5-6 IL
Grades
5-12+ GRL
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