‘Deadheads’ gather for lecture

Two weeks ago, the Grateful Dead’s former publicist, Dennis McNally, came to Weber State University to talk about the band and promote his new book. Based on his experiences with the band, McNally’s book “A Long Strange Trip: The Inside History of the Grateful Dead” takes an inside look at the band’s history and motives. During his lecture he spoke on a variety of topics, including the band’s fans and what they wanted to achieve with their music.
“In the 1980s, the Grateful Dead was the last great American adventure,” McNally said.
The Grateful Dead are considered the godfathers of the rock ‘n’ roll jam band. Going out on stage with a set list a hundred songs long, the band was known for long stretches of musical improvisation and a unique show every night. McNally explained that the band wanted their music to be an experience.
“Some shows were great, others weren’t so good, and the band knew that,” McNally said early on in his lecture.
In McNally’s eyes, the band played shows as a soundtrack to the fans’ larger experience at the concert. Deadheads, as they called themselves, were the Grateful Dead’s loyal fans, following them all over the country, attending every show or at least listening from the parking lot. The band made music for these people, their fans who could rock out to even a less-than-stellar show.
“I’m too young to have seen them in concert, so this lecture is maybe the closest I’ll get to actually seeing The Dead,” said WSU student Kellie Penman.
Before the 1980s, loyal supporters mostly followed the band. They never had too much radio play and billboard hits were never really what they were looking for. The band was known for their skillful improvisation and blending of musical genres. 
“Deadheads became Deadheads organically,” McNally said.
Deadheads were made into fans by other fans. The Grateful Dead were known for their live jam sessions and natural flowing rhythm. A concert visit was a must for any true Deadhead.
“Some sibling or just a friend taught you to be a Deadhead,” McNally said. ”You didn’t hear them on the radio, you got a cassette from someone you knew.”
The way you became a Grateful Dead fan, McNally said, was a blessing because it taught fans how to be fans the right way.
“You learned some ethics, you learned how to act,” McNally explained.
Up until the 1980s, when the band had a major hit, most fans became Deadheads through word-of-mouth. That all changed when the band got radio play.
When young people who heard the band on the radio would come to concerts, they would be shocked to find a massive party and forget how to act.
“When you’re 18-years-old and you find members of the opposite sex and beer, you think ... ‘I’ve gone to heaven,’” McNally said.