GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST

Grateful Dead

“The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast,” the official Grateful Dead podcast, is a series devoted to exploring the music and mythology behind one of the most enduring, progressive, and influential bands in the history of recorded music. The podcast’s tagline is “For The Committed And The Curious,” as episodes will invite new fans to explore the band’s enormous mythology in digestible chunks and enlighten life-long Dead Heads about corners of the band’s history they never knew existed. No topic will be off limits on “The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast” as hosts Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarnow explore the band’s outrageous history, innovations, and impact from 1965 to today.

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Our Editor's Take

The GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST Is a podcast about the Grateful Dead. The series explores the history of what some consider to be the greatest-ever US rock & roll band. The group, led by Jerry Garcia and Bob Weir, lasted from 1965 to 1995, when Garcia died of a heart attack. The show's title comes from a marketing slogan the Dead's record company used in the 1970s.

Rich Mahan and Jesse Jarnow, the podcast's hosts, go through every aspect of the group's history. They interview band members, the group's management, and the crew. Even some fans get to speak here. Mahan is a musician and podcast producer for Rhino Records. Jarnow is a writer and radio host. Both of them are devoted Deadheads, and their passion comes through on the show.

Most GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST podcast episodes discuss what was happening with the band 50 years before. The show devoted 2022 to talking about the band's Europe '72 tour and what else the Dead did that year. Some episodes are tied to different events. When band member Bob Weir turned 75, the podcast did a retrospective episode about his life. They also have episodes discussing the latest Grateful Dead concert reissues.

“Dead studies” is a serious topic for college professors. So this podcast talks to the academics involved in the Grateful Dead Scholars Caucus. It makes for an illuminating episode.

No topic is too obscure or out of bounds for the podcast. They even researched the life of a stoned, naked fan at a 1972 Veneta, Oregon show. The concert film Sunshine Daydream repeatedly showed the blond male concertgoer. He stood on a pole during the show and became an iconic image of the era. GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST explains what happened to him afterwards.

Fans of the Grateful Dead may love GOOD OL' GRATEFUL DEADCAST for its deep research. New fans may appreciate getting introduced to the band's history. The podcast is a great listen for anyone curious about the Grateful Dead and why they are still beloved. New episodes drop each week.

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From The Mars Hotel 50 - Trailer

From The Mars Hotel 50 - Trailer

The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast is back for its 9th season of high adventure and historical storytelling, unlocking the secrets of From the Mars Hotel and going on tour with the Wall of Sound. Tune in starting March 28th wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Episodes

From the Mars Hotel 50: Scarlet Begonias

From the Mars Hotel 50: Scarlet Begonias

From the Mars Hotel 50: Scarlet BegoniasExplore “Scarlet Begonias,” from its trans-Atlantic origins (including the Dead’s surprising Bob Marley connection) to Cornell ’77 & beyond, featuring the Wall of Sound’s stop at the Hollywood Bowl (with more unheard Owsley Stanley) & a visit from Vampire Weekend’s Chris Tomson.Guests: Chris Tomson, Donna Jean Godchaux MacKay, Trey Anastasio, Alan Trist, Ron Rakow, Lee Jaffe, Courtenay Pollack, Andy Leonard, Steve Brown, Richie Pechner, Jim Sullivan, Geoff Gould, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Nicholas Meriwether, Steve Silberman, Nick Paumgarten, Brian Anderson, Shaugn O’Donnell, Michael Kaler, Steve Hurlburt, Andrew Shields, Nick RubinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Mars Hotel 50: Loose Lucy

From the Mars Hotel 50: Loose Lucy

From “Loose Lucy,” the Deadcast jumps onto Dead tour in June ‘74, going under the hood of Phil Lesh’s new quad bass, behind the scenes at the tie-dye information booth, a private lunch at the Bank of Boston, & on a Mars Hotel-soundtracked summer road trip with Sonic Youth’s Lee Ranaldo.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Mars Hotel 50: Unbroken Chain

From the Mars Hotel 50: Unbroken Chain

The Deadcast explores Phil Lesh’s masterpiece “Unbroken Chain,” its mysterious lyricist Bobby Petersen, & digs into the luminous synth with Ned Lagin himself; plus, the story of the album title & art with the Grateful Dead Records crew & a visit from Animal Collective’s Avey Tare.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Mars Hotel 50: China Doll

From the Mars Hotel 50: China Doll

The Deadcast explores “China Doll,” perhaps the most delicate Dead song, the innovative studio techniques pioneered for From The Mars Hotel, the formation of Round Records (& the making of Jerry Garcia’s sophomore solo album), & the infamous Wall of Sound test at the Cow Palace.Guests: Elvis Costello, Ron Rakow, Richard Loren, Andy Leonard, Richie Pechner, Steve Brown, Michael Parrish, David Gans, Steve Beck, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Shaugn O’Donnell, Brian Anderson See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From the Mars Hotel 50: U.S. Blues

From the Mars Hotel 50: U.S. Blues

The Grateful Deadcast begins the epic story of the Dead in 1974 with the writing of From the Mars Hotel’s album-opening “U.S. Blues” & the multiple debuts of the innovative Wall of Sound, featuring new interviews & never-heard archival audio. Guests: Ron Rakow, Richie Pechner, Sam Cutler, Steve Brown, Sally Mann Romano, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, David Gans, Michael Parrish, Brian Anderson See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

From The Mars Hotel 50 - Trailer

From The Mars Hotel 50 - Trailer

The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast is back for its 9th season of high adventure and historical storytelling, unlocking the secrets of From the Mars Hotel and going on tour with the Wall of Sound. Tune in starting March 28th wherever you get your podcasts.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Weather Report Suite

Wake Of The Flood 50: Weather Report Suite

The Deadcast finishes its season by examining Bob Weir’s ambitious Weather Report Suite with collaborator Eric Andersen & following the launch of Wake of the Flood on the band’s own label with company president Ron Rakow, plus Yo La Tengo’s Ira Kaplan, Erik Davis, & more.Guests: Eric Andersen, Ron Rakow, Steve Brown, Ira Kaplan, Gary Lambert, Michael Parrish, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Erik Davis, Scott Metzger, Shaugn O’Donnell, Carey ColesSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Prelude/Tuesday Night Jam

Wake Of The Flood 50: Prelude/Tuesday Night Jam

The Deadcast uncovers a most unusual lost studio session by Robert Hunter & the Grateful Dead, recorded at the Record Plant in November 1973, which we listen to in its entirety & annotate with the help of Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay & others.Guests: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Bob Matthews, Alan Trist, Nicholas Meriwether, Brian Kehew, Michael Parrish, Mike DolgushkinSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Eyes of the World

Wake Of The Flood 50: Eyes of the World

Explore “Eyes of the World” inside & out with the studio multi-tracks, lost lyrics, archival audio of Robert Hunter, a meditation by Erik Davis, & a tour of the song’s evolution (yes, including that cool 7/8 ending).GUESTS: Ron Rakow, Ned Lagin, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Holly Bowling, Erik Davis, Shaugn O’Donnell, Brian Schiff, Jay Kerley, Mike Dolgushkin, Danno Henklein, Lippy, Peter Egart, Davis Schneiderman, Mike Ruggieri, Charlie FrazierSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Here Comes Sunshine

Wake Of The Flood 50: Here Comes Sunshine

Wake Of The Flood 50: Here Comes SunshineWe explore the Beatlesque optimism of “Here Comes Sunshine,” its roots in the Vanport flood of 1948, & the story of the brand-new custom Doug Irwin guitar Jerry Garcia debuted on Wake of the Flood. GUESTS: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Bruce Hornsby, Steve Parish, David Lemieux, Alex Bleeker, Scott Metzger, Shaugn O’Donnell, Bill Polits See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Stella Blue

Wake Of The Flood 50: Stella Blue

A personal favorite of both Jerry Garcia & Robert Hunter, we explore how “Stella Blue” grew from New York’s fertile Chelsea Hotel into one of the great American songs, plus Bruce Hornsby on how Wake of the Flood made him a Dead fan.GUESTS: Elvis Costello, Bruce Hornsby, David Lemieux, Nick Paumgarten, Scott Metzger, Shaugn O’Donnell, Nick BushSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Row Jimmy

Wake Of The Flood 50: Row Jimmy

Wake Of The Flood 50: Row JimmyThe Deadcast explores the strange not-quite-reggae of “Row Jimmy,” featuring a long never-heard interview with lyricist Robert Hunter from 1977. GUESTS: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Robert Hunter, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Scott Metzger, Shaugn O’DonnellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Let Me Sing Your Blues Away

Wake Of The Flood 50: Let Me Sing Your Blues Away

The Deadcast explores Keith Godchaux’s only song for the Grateful Dead, the unassuming but complex “Let Me Sing Your Blues Away,” the debut single from Wake of the Flood & Grateful Dead Records, co-starring Donna Jean, company president Ron Rakow, & a gaggle of early Dead tapers.GUESTS: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Ron Rakow, Steve Brown, Howard Wales, Marty Weinberg, Les Kippel, Harvey Lubar, Howie Levine, Jim Cooper, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Scott Metzger, Shaugn O’Donnell, Marc Masters, Dave MandlSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Wake Of The Flood 50: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo

Wake Of The Flood 50: Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo

The Deadcast begins our deep dive into Wake of the Flood, including multi-track breakdowns for Mississippi Half-Step, never-heard outtakes, studio memories from Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, & the origins of Grateful Dead Records with co-founder Ron Rakow.GUESTS: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Ron Rakow, Alan Trist, Steve Brown, David Lemieux, Brian Kehew, Nick Paumgarten, Shaugn O’DonnellSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Watkins Glen Summer Jam ‘73, Part 2

Watkins Glen Summer Jam ‘73, Part 2

The thrilling conclusion of our visit to the record-breaking Watkins Glen Summer Jam, featuring John Belushi crashing the backstage, a super jam onstage, a teen-run pirate radio station, & the birth of a new generation of Dead Heads.GUESTS: Sam Cutler, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Bunky Odom, Chuck Leavell, Jim Koplik, Buddy Thornton, Sepp Donahower, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Silberman, Rebecca Adams, Gary Lambert, John Ramsey, Tim Meehan, Michael Simmons, Dan Henklein, Erik Nelson, Bob Student, Jim Cooper, Harvey Lubar, Todd Ellenberg, Ihor Slabicky, Jay Kerley, Brian Schiff, Eric Alden, David Lemieux, Alan PaulSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Watkins Glen Summer Jam, 7/73, part 1

Watkins Glen Summer Jam, 7/73, part 1

Watkins Glen Summer Jam ‘73, Part 1Musicians, organizers, & fans tell the epic story of how the Watkins Glen Summer Jam started as a giant rock show & turned into history when more than a half-million came to see the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers, & The Band.GUESTS: Sam Cutler, Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Bunky Odom, Chuck Leavell, Jim Koplik, Buddy Thornton, Susan Wickersham, Janet Furman, Sepp Donahower, Lee Ranaldo, Steve Silberman, John Ramsey, Tim Meehan, Michael Simmons, Dan Henklein, Erik Nelson, Bob Student, Jim Cooper, Todd Ellenberg, Ihor Slabicky, Jay Kerley, Joe Gauthier, Eric Alden, David Lemieux, Alan PaulSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here Comes Sunshine: RFK Stadium, 6/73

Here Comes Sunshine: RFK Stadium, 6/73

Our stadium-sized season finale visits the Dead’s June 1973 mega-gigs with the Allman Brothers Band in Washington DC, featuring the Allmans family, legendary tapers, searing heat, super jams, backstage brawls, & the manifestation of the Ouroboros. Guests: Bunky Odom, Buddy Thornton, Ron Wickersham, Alan Trist, Ben Haller, Peter Rowan, Richard Loren, Allan Arkush, Merl Saunders Jr., Steve White, Jim Cooper, Laurie Oliver, Dan Henklein, Howie Levine, Ihor Slabicky, Jay Kerley, Brian Schiff, David Lemieux, Alan PaulSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here Comes Sunshine: Kezar Stadium, 5/26/73

Here Comes Sunshine: Kezar Stadium, 5/26/73

The Deadcast visits one of the Dead’s most legendary hometown shows with the band, crew, & Bay Area Dead freaks, featuring 3 sets in the Golden Gate Park sunshine, technological innovations, & an important paper by the Haight Street Free Medical Clinic.Guests: Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, Dave Smith, Bob Barsotti, Ron Wickersham, Jerry Pompili, Steve Brown, Sally Mann Romano, Mike Dolgushkin, David Gans, Strider Brown, Bob Student, Mike Crater, David Lemieux, Nicholas MeriwetherSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here Comes Sunshine: Santa Barbara, 5/20/73

Here Comes Sunshine: Santa Barbara, 5/20/73

Feel the ocean breeze and spend a sunny Sunday with the Grateful Dead as the Deadcast visits Santa Barbara ‘73 with first-time showgoer Al Franken, archivist David Lemieux, the show’s promoters, and more.Guests: Al Franken, Jim Curnutt, Sepp Donahower, Rosie McGee, Michael Parrish, Bob Student, Gary Wulfing, David LemieuxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Here Comes Sunshine: Des Moines, 5/13/73

Here Comes Sunshine: Des Moines, 5/13/73

We time-travel to the Dead’s massive 3-set show in Des Moines, May 1973 (& the first show on the new Here Comes Sunshine box) with stories from Donna Jean, the show’s promoters, & the Dead’s office staff, plus custom gear, big jams, an indoor fireworks fight, etc.Guests: Donna Jean Godchaux, Gail Hellund, Rita Gentry, Rosie McGee, Sally Mann Romano, Steve White, Jon Hoak, Candace Brightman, Dan Erlewine, Sepp Donahower, Bob Glaza, Joe Gauthier, David LemieuxSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.