Deadheadism

Deadheadism: The “Religion” Behind The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead is a jamband that used contemporary American ideals and foundations of rock, jazz, folk, and bluegrass genres to win over audiences around the country. The Dead came from humble beginnings, yet quickly rose to stardom after performing in several of Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests. The Grateful Dead arguably has one of longest lasting fan bases in American Music, and this is largely due to the community that their music created. They were able to amass tens of thousands of followers on the road which can be attributed to the spiritual connection created between the band and their fans.

Deadheads have dedicated decades to continue the traditions that can be found at each and every show even though the full band does not perform together anymore. These individuals have been known to have, “had experienced some inner click of affinity, some overwhelming sense of ‘here I belong,’ when confronted by the Dead, its music and scene. It was the recognition of an essentially spiritual experience that bound them together”(The Grateful Dead and the Dead Heads: How the Fan Culture Evolved). Themes of oneness, a higher being, and comfort in community can be found in the minds of any Deadhead. When attending concerts, Deadheads would reconvene in their psychedelic garb, and with their beatnik mindset like they had never left the spiritual plane of music and freedom. These individuals would never miss a show, and would travel to every corner of the country in order to worship The Grateful Dead. Certain religious traits can be found in the analysis of the Deadhead community. This includes ideas of functionality, religious community, and lived religion.

Religious experience allows for a sense of belonging towards its followers. These groups are dependent on the rituals which are kept alive through the memory of its believers; allowing individuals to share a collective sense of identity which brings out a sense of belief and empowerment in the community. In order to understand how Deadhead’s act in religious-like ways, it is very important to understand the idea of lived religion as well. The term is used in, “distinguishing the actual experience of religious persons from the prescribed religion of institutionally defined beliefs and practices” (Lived Religion 12). Deadheads do not necessarily follow any institutionally defined practices, but their experience is one of spirituality and belief in the message found in the Dead’s music.

The Grateful Dead moved thousands of fans with the hymns and rhythms of their music. Jerry Garcia created hundreds of greats that kept Deadheads coming back for more. The lyrics spoke of exile in the American landscape and a longing for a way back home. Garcia sings, “walk out of any doorway, feel your way, feel your way… maybe you'll find direction, around some corner, where it’s been waiting to meet you.” This lyric speaks volumes to the message that was being voiced by The Grateful Dead. The music gave listeners a sense of hope and an ability to challenge adversity. Problems were made a little more bearable after listening to a set from the jamband. This can be related to lived religion for even though this experience was simply a concert; Deadheads were able to spiritually connect and learn something from the experience. It is less focused on the legitimacy of the experience, but rather the strength that was given to the audience listening. Deadheads grew confident in ‘weathering the storm’ of individual life because they were understood by a support system of other Deadhead’s who felt the same way. This support grew from an adoration of the Grateful Dead’s music which allowed fans a sense of belonging.

The experience of going to a Grateful Dead concert was not just the music that was played, but also the people one was surrounded by. Many could not afford to go to the concerts, yet still followed the band from state to state because they needed the collective sense of identity that Dead venues provided. Tie dye tents and psychedelic merchandise filled the concert-grounds and it was known that, “when the Dead were in town, parking lots outside of their concerts were transformed into small villages.”(Deadheads: How The Fan Culture Evolved) Walking onto the concert grounds was a truly cosmic experience which brought the likes of Nancy Pelosi, Tucker Carlson, Whoopi Goldberg, and many more influential figures to their concerts. Some could say that the community is not ritualistic, but it is important to note that Deadhead’s after each concert would have to pack up their worldly belongings and travel to the next concert. The idea of re-settling is routine for Deadheads and that is what makes it a part of the ritual of attending a Grateful Dead concert. For a lot of Deadheads, the ritual of setting up this village for new followers to enjoy is the reinforcement needed to get back on the road and continue to follow the band’s tour.

 Deadheads do not consider this experience to be religious in nature, yet from a sociological standpoint aspects of The Grateful Dead experience have a very similar framework to a religious experience. The Dead’s music gives their fans a sense of purpose while also establishing a determination. The Deadhead’s coped with their actual lives by taking a break and listening to the music that tugged on their heartstrings and lit up their inner self. This is similar to the experience of Native American tribes, and mindfulness communities. All of these communities share a commonality in a non-religious, spiritual experience that mimics the ideas originated in religion.