On August 24, "Tales From The Golden Road," the popular talk/interview/listener participation show on Sirius Satellite Radio's Grateful Dead Channel, will celebrate one of the Dead's boldest, best albums, the groundbreaking 1968 studio/live hybrid "Anthem of the Sun."
Forty years later, "Anthem" still sounds remarkably new and daring. We'll reveal how it got that way, as the Dead defied the conventions of the recording industry, improvising new studio techniques on the fly and incorporating many elements of 20th Century avant-garde music into the rock genre to a then-unprecedented degree. Among the topics discussed will be some of the innovative sonic experiments the Dead employed, as well as the epic battles with their record company over the amount of studio time expended and worries regarding the record's commercial potential (or lack thereof). Archival interviews with band members and associates will reveal everything from the inspirational influence of Neal Cassady to the story behind the visionary cover art by Bill Walker. Grateful Dead alumnus Tom Constanten will join hosts David Gans and Gary Lambert by phone, to share his recollections of the creative (if chaotic) atmosphere in the studio during the album's creation.
As always, listeners are encouraged to join the discussion by calling 888-89-SIRIUS
"Tales From The Golden Road" airs live on Sunday afternoons from 4 to 6 pm ET on Sirius 32, the Grateful Dead Channel, with repeat broadcasts every Monday at 9 am ET