Voice Memos from Grateful Dead Fans

Jackie Lay/NPR

At the beginning of The Ripple Effect, NPR Music’s series on the Grateful Dead, fans were invited to share their stories of falling in love with the band. The response was overwhelming, filled with personal, wry, and emotional stories. These tales emphasize the importance of the community surrounding the Dead, highlighting its role in the band’s enduring legacy.

As we conclude Days Between, we are wrapping up The Ripple Effect by listening to voice memos from a variety of voices: Deadheads, those who love Deadheads, lifelong fans, and recent converts. These segments include discussions of first shows, encounters with the band’s musicians, and multiple cross-country road trips.

Explore all of our content from The Ripple Effect: The Grateful Dead’s journey might continue indefinitely.

Hosts: Felix Contreras, Isabella Gomez Sarmiento

Audio Producer: Noah Caldwell

Editors: Jacob Ganz, Hazel Cills

Visuals: Jackie Lay

Executive Producer: Suraya Mohamed

Executive Director: Sonali Mehta

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