In 1989, The Grateful Dead went mainstream with their only hit single "Touch of Grey." That same year, Mick Skidmore gave the first review of an unreleased copy of Junta by Phish, one of the first bands to succeed following the Dead's business model. There's also a very good article about the burgeoning online experience with Deadheads on bulletin boards.
The magazine also covered the low lights the Deadhead experienced ,evident in the article about the thousands who rioted at a show at the Deer Creek Music Center in Noblesville, Indiana, and of course, the devastating loss of Jerry Garcia in 1995. The remaining band members soldiered on with the Furthur Festival and solo projects and the fans followed, although without the same intensity.
Relix, the Book serves as a very good document for those who want to relive their Dead fandom and for those who missed out and want to see "what a long, strange trip" it was.
Article comments
1 - Greg Barbrick
Back to back covers of Ozzy and Joan Jett on Relix, what a scream! I just watched "The End Of The Road" documenting the Dead's final tour in '95, where the riot ocurred. Things had clearly gotten WAY out of control in Dead-land.
There was serious money to be made by the vendors at every stop, which contributed significantly to the problems.
I have always been interested in the Dead's subculture, and will probably have to get this.
2 - El Bicho
I'll have to find that doc. I used to see them whenever they were close by in the late '80s, which was a lot because they would always swing through on the way home up north. The tailgate party was enormous with many more people than the venue could hold showing up to party. And I had never seen such a mix of people: hippies, punks, cowboys, headbangers, basically anyone that did drugs knew it was the place to go to score or move product. What was surprising was there wasn't more riots.
3 - Greg Barbrick
I agree. The dream of everybody being stoned and cool with each other had obviously died with the Haight, let alone Altamont.
What is surprising is that it took so long for the shit to reach them. It was hardcore in '95. To my eternal regret, I never saw them live, although I think "Dark Star" from Live/Dead is an excellent improvisational work.
Nice review Bicho, I may have to get this.
4 - Ed Munson
Thanks for the great review! Toni and I had a wonderful, labor-filled 15 months putting it all together. "The Book" just went into its second printing in less than six weeks after its release in October, 2009.
5 - El Bicho
Congrats on the 2nd printing