Conversations With The Dead: The Grateful Dead Interview Book

by David Gans

A collection of interviews-some vintage, some recent, and some brand-new-Conversations with the Dead is the first (and only) book in which the Grateful Dead speak in their own words about their music and their lives. David Gans, a self-professed Deadhead and host of "The Grateful Dead Hour," asked Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and the rest of the band the questions their fans would have asked if given the chance. And Gans reaches far beyond the musicians, talking with such often-overlooked key players as the recording engineer, sound man, and road crew-those who have had the coveted opportunity to witness the Dead's decades of music-making. This updated and expanded edition includes a rare, never-before-published interview with Seastones composer Ned Lagin and a new introduction by the author. With a readable combination of intensity, inquisitiveness, and candor, Gans has created an unprecedented portrait of a band who, after more than thirty years of music-making, has earned a unique place in American culture.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

421 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 1991

Reviews

[Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read that I'd recommend to any fan of the band. It only missed a five-star rating because some of the interviews were better/more interesting than others. The book isn't really biographical, and it isn't set up as a cohesive story, but rather just a series of interviews which Gans conducted when he was able. Those interviewed include Bob Weir, Garcia, Lesh, Mickey, lyricists John Barlow and Robert Hunter, sound man Dan Healy, and the book concludes with a relatively rare interview from the acid chemist and audio engineer Owsley Stanley, otherwise known as Bear.

As I mentioned some of the interviews were more interesting than others. After all, just because you set up an interview with someone, even someone from the Grateful Dead, does not an interesting interview make. I thought the interviews with Weir were sort of off-putting at times. He was in a space where he was focused on his solo endeavors (this was early 80's) and I was more interested in hearing about his experience with the Dead. Not that he didn't touch on that as well, but maybe less so than the other interviews. The interview with Jerry was one of the best, as was the interview with Bear. They both discussed the music but also went beyond the musical realm and discussed a myriad of topics. Consciousness, psychedelics, audio equipment, what they were reading (Robert Hunter also touches on this in his interview, another good one), Ken Kesey and the Pranksters, all sorts of things.

Not only did I enjoy this book, but through its interviews I was turned on to a couple other books that I added to my 'to-read' shelf. Always a good thing.

[Zach Cook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing insight into the minds of the Dead and those around them. Ned Lagin’s chapter was incredible, truly a brilliant mind. Can only imagine what he could have achieved musically had it been his ambition

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get around to this one, mostly because I typically don't enjoy books that are presented in a straight-ahead question/answer format. But, boy, I'm kicking myself now. This was a great insight not only into the members of the band, but also a fantastic way to hear more about the world around them. I love that Gans picked up on the band's whole philosophy and gave equal time to the roadies and songwriters. One of my favorite interviews in the whole book was the one with Ned Lagin, really fascinating.

[Ed Betcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall an interesting book with some good insights.
I read everything published about the Grateful Dead and recommend this for the completist but not the casual fan. I do find the author David Gans insufferable.

[Joe Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tedious in places. But the interview with Ned lagin is fascinating.

[Scott Block · Rating 3 out of 5]

Want some insight behind the best hippie band ever? Then read this book. There are some long, drawn out parts but overall, it's a good book to learn about the band and it's members.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a second read through, though a new, expanded edition. The last was almost 30 years ago and when I had consumed far less GD music and read far fewer books on them. In that time, the field of Grateful academics has expanded enormously. This book still stands out for its exploration of the bands musical philosophies and strategies as well as a deep dive into the innovations they pioneered in live sound technology.

For my part, the closing four interviews were like the headliners at a festival, each being thoroughly unique, engaging and enjoyable in its own right. The interview with Ned Lagin, the virtuosic artist and thinker of many talents was not included in the version I’d read before. His mysterious tenure with the band and his insights into what made the Grateful Dead a compelling and lasting influence on listeners and musicians alike was a revelation. If you’ve recently enjoyed The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast and the special episode on Ned, this is a must read. If you haven’t, you should. I have spent the last three days in a long run revisiting the Phil & Ned sets of 1974 as well as the various outtakes and Lagin’s few official releases.

Did it matter? Does it now? It sure does to me.

[Sarah Eckstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s breath and nuance to reading an actual interview. Gans asks excellent questions and has a way of gently probing deeper to get the interview-ee to open up. I especially enjoyed the last interview with ‘Bear;’ what a unique individual whose perspective on life is so different from mainstream thinking. The amount he contributed to the sound industry is astounding given how “loose” things were back in the 60s and early 70s. One question I’m left with is: why is Kreutzmann not included in these interviews?

[Tim Julian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This updated edition contains a long and fascinating interview with Ned Lagin, which made me feel guilty I usually skip "Seastones" when it comes up on Spotify. Interviews with the usual suspects - Garcia, Lesh, Weir, Hunter, but also a rare chance to delve into the weird mind of "Bear" Owsley Stanley. Some of the interviews with roadies and lighting crew were less than gripping, and Gans himself comes across as a bit of a self-important twerp, but this is a must-read for the committed Deadhead.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty solid, sorta rambling at parts but definitely some interesting content. Bear’s section was somethin’. That’s some out-there shit.

[Mark Moxley-Knapp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Collection of great interviews. Fairly old, but updated. Covers a lot of ground. Only interviews I've seen with Owsley and Ned Lavin. A must-have, I should have read it sooner.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Conversations With the Dead: The Grateful Dead Interview Book by David Gans (Da Capo Press 2002) (780.92). David Gans is the host of the Grateful Dead Radio Hour. This is not one of my favorite books about the Dead. He does include the transcript of a long and wonderful interview with the Bear (Augustus Stanley Owsley). My rating: 7/10, finished 2010.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you were/are a "deadhead" read it, otherwise probably not worth the time.

[Karen]

Saw this book at a booth during Dead and Company June 26, 2016