© 2025 Connecticut Public

FCC Public Inspection Files:
WEDH · WEDN · WEDW · WEDY
WEDW-FM · WNPR · WPKT · WRLI-FM
Public Files Contact · ATSC 3.0 FAQ
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Celebrating 50 Years of the Grateful Dead

Chris Stone/flickr creative commons

Back in the days when rock and roll was still young and three-chord bands were popping up everywhere, The Grateful Dead were unique in just about every way. They fused multiple music styles: rock, blues, folk, R&B, country, jazz, and, of course, more than a peppering of psychedelia.

They were known for their long jams and extensive touring schedule. They had meager beginnings in Palo Alto, Calif., but went on to develop a huge fan base around the world. 50 years later—that's right, man—50 years later, the fans are still devoted, and there are more all the time.

Today we explore the music, history, and culture with music critic David Browne. His new book, So Many Roads: The Life and Times of The Grateful Dead, is just out.

Join the conversation on Twitter or Facebook.

GUEST:

  • David Browne – author of So Many Roads: The Life and Times of The Grateful Dead

MUSIC:

  • “Gne Gne,” Montefiori Cocktail
  • “Dark Star,” The Grateful Dead
  • “China Cat Sunflower,” The Grateful Dead
  • “Shakedown Street,” The Grateful Dead
  • "Touch of Grey," The Grateful Dead
  • "Easy to Love You," The Grateful Dead
  • "Box of Rain," The Grateful Dead
  • "Fire on The Mountain," The Grateful Dead
  • "So Many Roads," The Grateful Dead

Jonathan McNicol contributed to this show.

Tags
Lori Connecticut Public's Morning Edition host.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT is an initiative from Connecticut Public, the state’s local NPR and PBS station, to elevate Latino stories and expand programming that uplifts and informs our Latino communities. Visit CTPublic.org/latino for more stories and resources. For updates, sign up for the SOMOS CONNECTICUT newsletter at ctpublic.org/newsletters.

SOMOS CONNECTICUT es una iniciativa de Connecticut Public, la emisora local de NPR y PBS del estado, que busca elevar nuestras historias latinas y expandir programación que alza y informa nuestras comunidades latinas locales. Visita CTPublic.org/latino para más reportajes y recursos. Para noticias, suscríbase a nuestro boletín informativo en ctpublic.org/newsletters.

The independent journalism and non-commercial programming you rely on every day is in danger.

If you’re reading this, you believe in trusted journalism and in learning without paywalls. You value access to educational content kids love and enriching cultural programming.

Now all of that is at risk.

Federal funding for public media is under threat and if it goes, the impact to our communities will be devastating.

Together, we can defend it. It’s time to protect what matters.

Your voice has protected public media before. Now, it’s needed again. Learn how you can protect the news and programming you depend on.

Related Content