He also released several solo albums, and contributed to a number of albums by other artists over the years as a session musician. Garcia also founded and participated in a variety of side projects, including the Saunders–Garcia Band (with longtime friend Merl Saunders), the Jerry Garcia Band, Old & In the Way, the Garcia/ Grisman and Garcia/ Kahn acoustic duos, Legion of Mary, and New Riders of the Purple Sage (which he co-founded with John Dawson and David Nelson). He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead.Īs one of its founders, Garcia performed with the Grateful Dead for the band's entire 30-year career (1965–1995).

Although he disavowed the role, Garcia was viewed by many as the leader of the band. Jerome John Garcia (August 1, 1942 – August 9, 1995) was an American musician known for being the principal songwriter, lead guitarist, and a vocalist with the rock band Grateful Dead, which he co-founded and which came to prominence during the counterculture of the 1960s.

Grateful dead family space