Jerry Garcia

Biography

Jerome John "Jerry" Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) was an American musician best known for his lead guitar work, singing and songwriting with the band the Grateful Dead. Though he vehemently disavowed the role, Garcia was viewed by many as the leader or "spokesman" of the group. As one of its founders, Garcia performed with the Grateful Dead for their entire three-decade career (1965–1995). Garcia also founded and participated in a variety of side projects, including the Saunders-Garcia Band (with longtime friend Merl Saunders), Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, the Garcia/Grisman acoustic duo, Legion of Mary, and the New Riders of the Purple Sage (which Garcia co-founded with John Dawson and David Nelson).  He also released several solo albums, and contributed to a number of albums by other artists over the years as a session musician. He was well known by many for his distinctive guitar playing and was ranked 13th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" cover story. Later in life, Garcia was sometimes ill because of his unstable weight, and in 1986 went into a diabetic coma that nearly cost him his life. Although his overall health improved somew…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Woodstock (1970) — Self
2. Gimme Shelter (1970) — Self
3. History 101 (2020) — Self (archive footage)
4. Heartbeeps (1981) — Phil (voice)
5. Magic Trip: Ken Kesey's Search for a Kool Place (2011) — Self (archive footage)
6. The Grateful Dead Movie (1977) — Self
7. Festival Express (2003) — Self
8. Long Strange Trip (2017) — Self (archive footage)
9. The Source (1999) — Self
10. 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony (2022) — Self (voice)
11. All Tomorrow's Parties (2009) — Self (archive footage)
12. Grateful Dead: Anthem to Beauty (1997) — Self
13. Classic Albums (1997) — Self
14. Grateful Dawg (2000) — Self
15. Hells Angels Forever (1983) — Self
16. Grateful Dead: View from the Vault (2000) — Self
17. Long Strange Trip (2017) — Self (archive footage)
18. The Journey (2001) — Self
19. Grateful Dead: Truckin Up to Buffalo (1989) — Self
20. Grateful Dead: Downhill from Here (1989) — Self - Performer
21. The Hippie Temptation (1967) — Dirty Hippie
22. Basketball: A Love Story (2018) — Self (archive footage)
23. Grateful Dead: Ticket to New Year's Eve Concert (1987) — Self
24. Monterey Pop - The Outtake Performances (2002)
25. Bill Monroe: Father of Bluegrass Music (1993) — Self
26. Grateful Dead: Sunshine Daydream (2013) — Self
27. Grateful Dead: Dead Ahead (1981) — Self - Grateful Dead
28. Sister's Keeper (2007) — Olest Brother
29. WBCN and the American Revolution (2019) — Self (archive footage)
30. Grateful Dead: View from the Vault II (2001) — Self
31. Grateful Dead: So Far (1987) — Self - Guitar
32. Grateful Dead: View from the Vault III (2002) — Self
33. Grateful Dead Meet-Up At The Movies 2023 (2023) — Self
34. San Francisco Rock: A Night at the Family Dog (1970)
35. Grateful Dead: View from the Vault IV (2003) — Self
36. Tom Snyder's Electric Kool-Aid Talk Show (2006) — Self
37. Grateful Dead: Rocking The Cradle - Egypt 1978 (2008) — Self
38. The Acid Test (1966) — Self
39. Sex in '69: The Sexual Revolution in America (2009) — Self
40. Grateful Dead (1995) — Self

Directed

1. The Grateful Dead Movie (1977) — Director
2. Grateful Dead: So Far (1987) — Director
3. The Grateful Dead Movie 2025 Meet-Up (2025) — Director