The Grateful Dead produced virtually endless good music in their heyday, and much of that music’s quality can be attributed to Jerry Garcia’s super-underrated guitar skills. He’s rarely ever brought up in conversations of rock guitar greats. And I think he was a guitarist worthy of more praise. Let’s look at a few guitar moments from Jerry Garcia through the years that prove he really knew what he was doing with the instrument.
Cornell University, 1977
“Brown-Eyed Woman” was first performed back in 1971. However, this performance of the song, live at Barton Hall at Cornell University in 1977, has to be one of Garcia’s finest sets. This one’s technically a Garcia-Hunter song. But it proves that Jerry Garcia was a master guitarist at any one point, with any one band.
Videos by American Songwriter
Live from Ithaca, New York, this concert was really something to behold. Each and every section of this song is delivered with impeccable skill and precision. Garcia does it all without losing the emotional element of his guitar-playing.
Winterland, 1974
Fans of Anthem Of The Sun from 1968 likely remember this particular concert well. Considering how many Dead Heads followed the band around across the country, you might have actually been there yourself if you’re a diehard fan.
This Grateful Dead concert took place at Winterland in 1974. The band burst into a stunning rendition of “The Other One”, the classic opener from that above-mentioned album. Jerry Garcia’s performance of the song is incredible, but the performance is really the sum of its parts. Phil Lesh was on another level here, too.
Fillmore West, 1969
“Dark Star” is a fan favorite for a reason. And part of the appeal of Grateful Dead was that no two renditions of a particular song ever sounded the same live. This performance of “Dark Star” took place at Fillmore West in San Francisco in 1969. It is one of the most beloved versions of the 1968 song.
Jerry Garcia absolutely shreds his way through the tune, and his crazy-good solos blew the eyebrows off of everyone in attendance. The original recorded track is only about three minutes long, but the band managed to stretch this composition into a 20-minute performance. That takes some serious talent. Thankfully, the performance was preserved on a live album that year.
Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Most Viewed
-
These 1970s parody songs beat all the "real" music on the charts. They blurred the lines between fake song and true hit. -
AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 01: Photo of AC DC and Angus YOUNG and AC/DC and Mark EVANS and Bon SCOTT; Mark Evans, Angus Young (playing Gibson SG guitar), Bon Scott – performing live onstage, c.1975/1976 (Photo by Bob King/Redferns) -
UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Don Gibson Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images -
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 2 — Pictured: Musical guest Boz Scaggs performs on September 25, 1976 — Photo by: NBCU Photo Bank -
Barry Manilow in concert at the Bottom Line, NYC during Barry Manilow Achive Images – 1975 in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage) -
(Original Caption) Charlie Daniels (3rd from left), the entertainer who dedicated his last album to "gun-rotting whiskey and hellatious fights" says he will not play gentle music just to please "damn Yankees drinking martinis" 1/20 at Jimmy Carter's inaugural reception. Daniels said he plans to play the same brand of foot-stomping Southern music he and his band have always produced. They are (from left), Charlie Hayward, Tom Crain, Daniels, Joel Digregorio, Don Murray and Fred Edwards.
