The Grateful Dead’s influence over contemporary music is far-reaching and sometimes surprising. For instance, Lee Ranaldo of Sonic Youth fame is a Deadhead. The Flaming Lips’ sprawling psychedelic jams certainly evoke the ‘space music’ side of Grateful Dead, whilst the Americana sound of groups like My Morning Jacket give a nod to the country-folk sound The Dead embraced with Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty. And of course, there is Phish!
Listen: Grateful Dead American Beauty Musical Lead-Up Playlist
The National put together the wonderful Dead tribute compilation Day of the Dead, and we have featured some of the covers from American Beauty (and a couple more!) on this playlist. After listening we hope you’ll agree that the Grateful Dead’s musical legacy crops up in astonishing places. Enjoy!
