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Nov 29, 2020 · Initially designed by artist Bob Thomas to appear on the back cover of the band’s 1973 release, The History of the Grateful Dead, Volume 1 (Bear’s Choice), the bears have become deeply ingrained in the culture surrounding the Grateful Dead, and have taken on layers of symbolic meaning over the years.
- “Bear” Stanley and The Backstory of The Grateful Dead Bears
- The Aesthetics of The Dancing Bears
- The LSD Connection
- The Symbolic Legacy of The Deadhead Bears
The dancing bears weren’t there from the start – indeed, they had their debut in 1973, well into The Grateful Dead’s career. They first appeared on the back cover of the albumThe History of the Grateful Dead, Volume 1 (Bear’s Choice).And what a choice it was, as the bears have taken on a whimsical life of their own in the cult surrounding the Dead....
Thomas used a goofy-looking 36-point leaden slug bear as the inspiration for the design, which resulted in the playful, light-hearted appearance of the bears. The bears chart the trajectory of the rainbow, illustrated in sunny shades of yellow, green, orange, red, and blue. Although Stanley later clarified that the bears are not, in fact dancing, i...
But wait, things keep getting wackier. “Bear” Stanley started incorporating the bears into the blotter art for his LSD tabs, which were in heavy demand at Dead concerts. This meant that fans could trip on custom-made, artistically-inspired dancing bear acid while watching the concert. What I wouldn’t give to go back to those times. In this way it i...
The Grateful Dead dancing bears have an insouciant, joyful intransigence to them, as though they are bucking conventions to live a life of hedonistic pleasure-seeking and philosophical musings. The bears laugh in the face of polite society, refusing to grow up, get a job, and put down roots. Instead, they march on, jovial and self-assured, dancing ...
History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear's Choice) is a live album by the Grateful Dead. It is their fourth live album and their ninth album overall. Released in July 1973 on Warner Bros. Records, it offers concert highlights recorded February 13 and 14, 1970 at the Fillmore East in New York City.
- Jam Rock , Blues , Folk Rock
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Aug 23, 2022 · The American rock band known as The Grateful Dead was formed in 1965 in Palo Alto, California, not far from San Francisco. They are remembered for their blend of folk, country, jazz, bluegrass,...
- Jacob Uitti
- Senior Writer
History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear's Choice) (1973) Wake of the Flood (1973) From the Mars Hotel (1974) Blues for Allah (1975) Steal Your Face (1976) Terrapin Station (1977) Shakedown Street (1978) Go to Heaven (1980) Reckoning (1981) Dead Set (1981) In the Dark (1987) Dylan & the Dead (1989) Built to Last (1989) Without a Net (1990)
Mar 22, 2024 · The psychedelic era of the ’60s and ’70s saw a fusion of music and hallucinogenic experiences. The emblem of Grateful Dead Bears wasn’t spared from this fusion. Stanley began incorporating the bears into the blotter art for his LSD tabs, which were in high demand at Dead concerts.
Under the professional name Bear, he was the sound engineer for the Grateful Dead, recording many of the band's live performances. Stanley also developed the Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound, one of the largest mobile sound reinforcement systems ever constructed. Stanley also helped Robert Thomas design the band's trademark skull logo.
