Grateful Dead

To me the pinnacle of American music. Jerry Garcia pre heroin was the greatest guitar player ever. Phil Lesh is in the discussion with Jaco Pastorious as greatest Bass player. Kreutzman is a fantastic drummer, and everyone who has ever played in a jam band wants a rhythm player like Weir. To me the best they can cover Dylan or the Beatles or play originals just as good as anyones. Hunter is in a class with Dylan as a wordsmith. Truly transcendent artists particularly from 67-75 and the in the dark period of 87-90. Live they are an unparalleled force creating unique listening experiences and set lists each night. There was truly nothing like a grateful dead concert and there never will be. (Edited)

The Grateful Dead is, imo, the greatest live band of all time. They provided a live experience that is unparalleled and one that will never be replicated. If you're looking to "get" the Dead and you're listening to studio stuff, you're in the wrong place. The band's peak is generally regarded to have been from 1968-1974; any released material from those years is going to be best of the best. The later years have their moments but really aren't on the same level. For beginners I highly recommend any of the Dick's Picks volumes from those peak years, particularly the 72-74 years, as well as Live/Dead, Europe '72, Sunshine Daydream, Winterland 1973, The Grateful Dead Movie Soundtrack, and One and Two From The Vault. Listening to the Grateful Dead is a very different listening experience than normal studio albums. Relax and throw on a show front to back; you might be surprised what you find. (Edited)

Unbelievable that the Grateful Dead isn't in the top 10 artists. Seems like people's ratings are based on which artists can produce the most hit singles in a recording studio.

The Grateful Dead has played thousands and thousands of shows, each show being unique and each song being played in a unique way. Their instrumental talent is top notch, the lyrics are deep and far reaching. I really can't say enough.

Bands like R.E.M. and U2 literally manufacturer their music for the masses. Their music is catchy at best. (Edited)

just barely in the top 150 artists... they have at least 150 live albums, lol, some of which are nearly 100 CDs long (not a typo, see: 30 Trips Around the Sun). define epic, lol. they probably have the record for "most side project bands" as well, most likely in the lead by twice as much as the #2 band, w/e that might be. they're not just in a band, they didn't just influence a ton of bands, but they're actually directly responsible for 2 dozen bands. how they did it in a single lifetime is puzzling. you can't even rate these guys properly b/c you aren't familiar with a significant enough fraction of their work.

this music was their entire, long lives. easily top 5 most underrated artists on this site. I know an awesome guy who likes all older music and this is his fav band.

this site says enough: "Members who like this artist also like: Pink Floyd, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones." I could have predicted that. (Edited)

From O.T. 01/22/2016 00:46 | #157300

An outstanding force. Maybe the most inventive of all who followed the Beatles, either in songwriting as for opening new spaces. The sweetest harmonies, the darkest dissonances, the wisest words and the dullest moments, the most caring and the most demanding to their fans. (Edited)