LOS ANGELES, CA.- ANALOGr invites fans, collectors, and music enthusiasts to participate in DEAD FOREVER—an extraordinary event featuring over 300 curated lots from The Grateful Dead. From Jerry Garcia to Bob Weir and beyond, this collection showcases exceptional memorabilia celebrating the band's legendary legacy in music history.
The Grateful Dead stands as one of the most iconic rock bands that heavily influenced the psychedelic music movement of the mid-1960s. Led by vocalist and lead guitarist Jerry Garcia, alongside guitarist and vocalist Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh, keyboardist Ron McKernan, Brent Mydland, and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart, the band created and continues to influence a pop culture phenomenon.
The ANALOGr DEAD FOREVER auction features historical artifacts offered for the first time. The items curated from the Grateful Dead include the main Grateful Dead Road Case which was retired after the very last Dead show at Soldier Field on July 9, 1995. None of the contents in the case have been touched since the last Grateful Dead show making it a true band time capsule.
Drawer #1 contains both over-the-counter and prescription pharmaceutical drugs. In Drawer #2 holds touring backstage passes and Drawer #3 contains pharmacy items like rolling papers, band-aids, lighters, toothpaste and other items. In the case of the Grateful Dead road case, its significance extends beyond the band's final show in 1995. While it did indeed retire from active duty after Soldier Field, it continued to be utilized by Phil Lesh and Friends on the road, acquiring additional items such as a 2005 road atlas. Originally belonging to Robbie Taylor, the case was passed down from Harry Popick, the Grateful Dead's monitor mixing engineer, in 1983, marking Taylor's initiation into his role as production manager. In 1984, Hard Truckers woodshop refurbished the case, adding the iconic thirteen-point lightning bolt. This road case remained untouched since the last Grateful Dead show, serving as a historic time capsule. However, it's important to note that its usage extended beyond 1995, contrary to initial perceptions. It retained its original contents, including pharmaceuticals, backstage passes, and pharmacy items, making it a cherished relic among fans and insiders alike. Robbie Taylor himself attests to its significance, recalling it as the first of many GD Production road cases he managed during his tenure.
In 1984, Hard Truckers Woodshop, the visionary craftsmen behind the iconic Wall of Sound and Dead speaker cabinets, etched their indelible mark on history by crowning their creations with the striking thirteen-point lightning bolt. Among these storied features, Jerry Garcia’s Final Grateful Dead Touring Rig reigns supreme, proudly housing Bob Weir’s legendary McIntosh MC 2300 amplifier from the '74 Wall of Sound tour. Unveiled in December 1992 amidst the electric atmosphere of Denver, Colorado, this guitar rig became Garcia's steadfast companion, its melodic resonance echoing through every Grateful Dead and Jerry Garcia show until the poignant finale in July 1995. Meticulously crafted to meet Garcia’s exacting standards, the rig effortlessly navigate between the minimalist speaker-less stage setup with the Dead and the more traditional 3 & 4 speaker cabinets with the Garcia band. At its pulsating core, the Groove Tubes Trio preamp assumed the role of sonic architect, channeling the quintessential Fender Blackface tone within its sleek rack-based design. Revered for its boundless
versatility, the preamp summoned a symphony of tones, from Jerry’s trademark "clean" setting to the raw grit of Tweed "Mean" and the ethereal sustain of Dumble Lead "Scream" options. With its included foot controller, seamlessly traversing these sonic dimensions was effortless, ensuring that every note reverberated with Garcia's inimitable essence. Notably, the McIntosh MC 2300, once wielded by Bob Weir during the Wall of Sound era, also found its way into Garcia's sonic arsenal back in 1973. McIntosh Amplifiers associated with Garcia have since become prized treasures at auctions, solidifying their rightful place within this legendary rig.
Bidders will also have the chance to bid on:
The Grateful Dead Europe ’72 Itinerary Book from Dan Healy; Jerry Garcia’s Open Back Vintage EV12 Speaker Cab; Jerry Garcia’s Open Back Vintage Double Speaker Cab; “Steal Your Peach” 1994 Spring Tour Artwork by Biffie; Erik Hawkey “The Untouchables” Summer 1995 Grateful Dead artwork: a Grateful Dead signed Movie DVD with Film Slides, Garcia and Weir signed checks from a 1992 Letterman appearance and more.
Also included in the 300 lots to be offered at auction are items from Robbie Taylor, Herb Greene, Jay Blakesberg, Ron Rakow, Adrian Boot, Rock Scully, Stanley Mouse, Wally Heider, Studios, Courtenay Pollock, Dick Latvala, Marty Clein, Robbi Cohn, Pu-Tzu, Antonio Reonegro, Tom Stack, Club Dead, Anthony Coscia, Retro Photo Archive and others.
The gear, ephemera and personal and career used items in the DEAD FOREVER auction celebrates the Grateful Dead’s enduring impact on American pop culture and high fidelity sound that has spawned decades of tributes and dedications by Dead Heads around the globe. The band’s reputation as gear-heads was part of their persona driven by their need to develop their own sound and remain on the cutting edge of audio technology in the 1970s and beyond. Nowhere is that more obvious than with the touring rig and equipment offered in the auction.
