We uncover the secrets of the Grateful Dead’s legendary tape vault with archivist David Lemieux, from LSD alchemist Owsley Stanley to the making of the Betty Boards, from “Dick’s Picks” (& Dick Latvala’s own home recordings) to the 10th anniversary of “Dave’s Picks.”
Inside the Vault supplementary notes
by Jesse Jarnow
Before there was a Grateful Dead tape vault, there was Owsley Stanley’s tape collection. We spoke with Rhoney Stanley about Owsley’s music listening habits, both in his LSD labs and at home, where his playlists included plenty of live Dead. You can read about Rhoney’s further adventures in her memoir, Owsley and Me: My LSD Family.
Dick Latvala began his journey into Grateful Dead tape collecting in the mid-1970s, becoming their official vault keeper about a decade later. I documented his remarkable story in my book Heads: A Biography of Psychedelic America. He was a champion Dead tape collector, keeping annotated binders filled with notes on each recording. Several volumes have now been scanned.
The interview with Owsley Stanley comes via David Gans, published in his essential book Conversations With the Dead, now available in signed editions from David’s online bookstore. David has been hosting the Grateful Dead Hour for more than three decades, still airing on more than 100 stations worldwide, streaming archivally on dead.net, with 1700+ playlists (and counting) available for easy perusing.
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Dick's notebook entry for 2/14/70
I just have to point out that the introduction of the band is not by Jonathan Schwartz, but rather John Zacherle, who was a well-know host of old horror movies on New York television. The Dick's Picks release of the show correctly identifies Zacherle.
I just have to point out that the introduction of the band is not by Jonathan Schwartz, but rather John Zacherle, who was a well-know host of old horror movies on New York television. The Dick's Picks release of the show correctly identifies Zacherle.
Isn't the reason PA tapes sound different every night because they're compensating for the sound of that specific room? Guessing missing instruments have enough stage volume that they don't need much/any PA.