Grateful Dead: Deadheads new social network
October 9, 2007
In 1971, on the gatefold sleeve of the Grateful Dead’s second live album — also known as Skull & Roses — the following notice was printed:
DEAD FREAKS UNITE: Who are you? Where are you? How are you? Send us your name and address and we’ll keep you informed. Dead Heads, P.O. Box 1065, San Rafael, CA 94901
The mailing list created from that invitation had an estimated 40,000 members. Newsletters and other mailings were sent out from 1971 to 1980. After that, the Grateful Dead Almanac. Later, the members moved online to Dead.net.
Dead.net recently relaunched as a social network portal featuring extensive archives cataloging Grateful Dead history, songs, photos, memorabilia, and shows, indexed and searchable by tags. Dead users will be able to participate in forums, upload their own photos, and bookmark concerts and shows they have attended. Fans will also be treated to exclusive free mp3 show downloads.
Who are some of the self-proclaimed Deadheads? According to Wikipedia’s Deadhead page, well-known Deadheads include: Tony Blair, Joseph Campbell, Pete Carroll, Bill Clinton, Ann Coulter, Owen Chamberlain, Al and Tipper Gore, Keith Haring, Phil Jackson, Patrick Leahy, Carl and Larry Page, Bill Walton, Al Franken, Nancy Pelosi, Jerry Greenfield, Edward Norton, Henry Rollins and Greg Ginn.
Dead.net is here.
