Image via WikiÂmeÂdia ComÂmons
A quick heads up: On MonÂday, StanÂford ConÂtinÂuÂing StudÂies will kick off an online course called PsyÂcheÂdelia and Groove: The Music and CulÂture of the GrateÂful Dead. Taught by David Gans (author of PlayÂing in the Band: An Oral and VisuÂal PorÂtrait of the GrateÂful Dead), the course got a nice shout out from drumÂmer MickÂey Hart on InstaÂgram. Open to any adult, the course descripÂtion reads:
The GrateÂful DeadÂ’s groundÂbreakÂing fusion of music, counÂterÂculÂture, and comÂmuÂniÂty engageÂment forged an endurÂing legaÂcy that tranÂscends genÂerÂaÂtions while shapÂing the evoÂluÂtion of music and culÂturÂal expresÂsion. Fresh off the farewell perÂforÂmance of Dead & ComÂpaÂny in San FranÂcisÂco in July, this course invites stuÂdents to delve into the pheÂnomÂeÂnon that is the GrateÂful Dead through a capÂtiÂvatÂing exploÂration of the band’s hisÂtoÂry, music, and culÂturÂal impact.
The course will start by tracÂing the band’s evoÂluÂtion, from its humÂble beginÂnings to its legÂendary staÂtus as one of the most influÂenÂtial bands in music hisÂtoÂry. We will explore the band’s forÂmaÂtion, the earÂly San FranÂcisÂco music scene, its unique approach to tourÂing, and the varÂiÂous eras of its exisÂtence. We’ll next embark on a sonÂic jourÂney through the band’s diverse and ever-evolvÂing musiÂcal catÂaÂlog. StuÂdents will disÂsect the disÂtincÂtive blend of rock, folk, blues, and improÂviÂsaÂtion that defined the GrateÂful DeadÂ’s sound.
FinalÂly, we’ll examÂine the band’s culÂturÂal impact on sociÂety, divÂing into the band’s conÂnecÂtion to art, litÂerÂaÂture, and social change, as well as its unique fan culÂture and the pheÂnomÂeÂnon of the “DeadÂhead.” By the end of the course, stuÂdents will have a well-roundÂed appreÂciÂaÂtion for the roots, strugÂgles, and mileÂstones that shaped the GrateÂful Dead’s traÂjecÂtoÂry, an underÂstandÂing of its proÂfound impact on music and culÂture, and insight into a legaÂcy that still resÂonates deeply today.
Guest speakÂers for this course will include Steve SilÂberÂman, who was feaÂtured in the docÂuÂmenÂtary Long Strange Trip and is a regÂuÂlar voice on the Good Ol’ GrateÂful DeadÂcast. He is also a co-author of SkeleÂton Key: A DicÂtioÂnary for DeadÂheads.
Again, the course starts on MonÂday, JanÂuÂary 22. Tuition is $405. You can enroll here.
StanÂford ConÂtinÂuÂing StudÂies also offers many othÂer coursÂes online, across many disÂciÂplines, at a reaÂsonÂable price. Check out the catÂaÂlogue here.
RelatÂed ConÂtent
Stream a MasÂsive Archive of GrateÂful Dead ConÂcerts from 1965–1995
The GrateÂful Dead Movie: Watch It Free Online