Dave Matthews Band is one of the most successful bands of the past 40 years. With many No. 1 albums and countless revenue generated from their massive, well attended live shows, the part-jam band, part-jazz group, part-rock outfit has garnered fans all over the globe.
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And one of the group’s most indelible images is their Fire Dancer logo, which people have showcased on stickers and even tattoos.
But what is the origin of the logo, what does it mean and who does it depict? That is the subject of today’s inquiry. So, without future ado, let’s dive into the logo’s meaning and history.
The Band
First, a bit more about the band.
The group, which is also known by the abbreviated DMB, is an American group formed in Charlottesville, Virginia in 1991.
The founding members include Dave Matthews, bassist Stefan Lessard, drummer Carter Beauford, violinist Boyd Tinsley, and sax player LeRoi Moore. Today, only Matthews, Lessard, and Beauford remain as the core members with the unfortunate ousting of Tinsely and the tragic death of Moore.
The group rose to popularity in the mid-’90s with albums like Under the Table and Dreaming, which was certified platinum six times, and later Crash, which boasts the band’s most famous song, the titular track, “Crash.” To date, the band has sold more than 25 million concert tickets and some 40 million albums and DVDs.
In 1996, the group won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group for its hit single, “So Much to Say.”
The “Fire Dancer” Logo
The logo appeared as the cover of the band’s 2005 LP, Stand Up, which was its sixth studio album to date. The record marked the group’s forth consecutive No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 (and they’ve since garnered several more). It was also the last to feature full participation from Moore, who died in an accident during the production of the following LP, Big Whiskey & the GrooGrux King.
Famously, the album artwork on the CD depicts the band’s famed Fire Dancer logo that Matthews himself drew. The original image was created in response to a fan asking Matthews to capture what he saw when he looked out at the crowds during the group’s now-legendary live performances.
The logo is something of a work of art, one part flame, one part feature, one part tree trunk with bare branches spread out. It’s slender, even a touch sexual, with arms outstretched, body in graceful movement. For Matthews, it symbolizes a person letting go of burden and insecurity and showcasing their inner glow, and spirit.
In the band’s song, “Tripping Billies,” Matthews alludes to either the drawing itself or the inspiration, singing, My yellow flame, she dances. Other fans believe it may also be an allusion to the band’s popular song “Dancing Nancies.”
Either way, the logo seems to quickly and accurately illustrate the band’s free spirit and its love for beauty, freedom of expression, and a bit of flame by which to drink, dance, and sing.
Photo: Cover DMB’s Stand Up album
