Challenges in the Life of Jerry Garcia in a Detailed Timeline

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Jerry Garcia's life and career.

Jerry Garcia was an American musician, best known as the lead guitarist and vocalist for the Grateful Dead, a band he co-founded and that became a symbol of the 1960s counterculture. Though he resisted the title, Garcia was widely regarded as the band's leader. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994 as a member of the Grateful Dead, solidifying his legacy as a pivotal figure in rock music history.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1946: Garcia's Finger Accident

In 1946, Jerry Garcia, at the age of four, had two-thirds of his right middle finger cut off in a wood splitting accident involving his brother.

1958: Garcia attended Balboa High School

In 1958, Jerry Garcia attended tenth grade at Balboa High School, where he often got into trouble for skipping classes and fighting.

December 14, 1960: Garcia Given General Discharge from the U.S. Army

On December 14, 1960, Jerry Garcia was given a general discharge from the U.S. Army due to accruing many counts of being AWOL.

February 20, 1961: Garcia's Car Accident

On February 20, 1961, Jerry Garcia was involved in a car accident in which the driver encountered a curve and, speeding around 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), crashed into the guard rail, sending the car rolling turbulently. Garcia was hurled through the windshield of the car into a nearby field. Speegle, still in the car, was fatally injured.

1964: Garcia's First Use of LSD

Jerry Garcia first began using LSD in 1964; later, when asked how it changed his life, he remarked: "Well, it changed everything [...] the effect was that it freed me because I suddenly realized that my little attempt at having a straight life and doing that was really a fiction and just wasn't going to work out. Luckily I wasn't far enough into it for it to be shattering or anything; it was like a realization that just made me feel immensely relieved."

October 2, 1967: 710 Ashbury Street Raided

On October 2, 1967, 710 Ashbury Street in San Francisco, where the Grateful Dead resided, was raided on marijuana charges.

January 1970: Grateful Dead Arrested in New Orleans

In January 1970, most of the Grateful Dead band was arrested in New Orleans on drug charges, except for Garcia, Tom Constanten, and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan.

August 1970: Mother's Car accident

In August 1970, Jerry Garcia's mother, Ruth, was involved in a car crash near Twin Peaks in San Francisco.

September 28, 1970: Death of his mother, Ruth

On September 28, 1970, Jerry Garcia's mother, Ruth, died following a car accident in August of the same year.

1974: Wolf Dropped During European Tour

During the Grateful Dead's 1974 European tour, the "Wolf" guitar was dropped on several occasions, causing a minor crack in the headstock.

1974: Introduction to smokeable heroin

In 1974, during the Grateful Dead's European tour, Jerry Garcia was introduced to a smokeable form of heroin in a brothel.

1975: Discovery of "Persian Base"

During the Grateful Dead's 1975 hiatus, Jerry Garcia was introduced to "Persian" or "Persian Base", a smokeable drug initially advertised as refined opium. Garcia's discovery of this drug occurred amidst the stress of creating 'The Grateful Dead Movie'.

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1978: Deterioration of Band Chemistry

By 1978, the Grateful Dead's chemistry began "cracking and crumbling" due to drug and alcohol abuse, leading to poor group cohesion.

1983: Decline in Onstage Demeanor

By 1983, Jerry Garcia's onstage demeanor had begun to change, marked by inconsistent performances and signs of disengagement. Years of heavy smoking had also affected his voice.

1984: Physical Decline During Performances

By 1984, Jerry Garcia would often rest his chin on the microphone during performances, indicating a continued physical decline as a result of financial risks, drug use, and poor business decisions.

1984: Dismissal of Rock Scully

In 1984, Rock Scully was dismissed by the Grateful Dead for enabling Garcia's addictions and embezzling the Garcia Band's profits.

January 1985: Intervention and Arrest for Drug Possession

In January 1985, Jerry Garcia's bandmates held an intervention due to his decade-long heroin addiction. On January 19, 1985, before starting a rehabilitation program, Garcia was arrested for drug possession in Golden Gate Park.

July 1986: Diabetic Coma

In July 1986, Jerry Garcia collapsed into a diabetic coma due to unhealthy weight, dehydration, bad eating habits, and a recent relapse. He woke up five days later and had to relearn how to play the guitar, as well as other basic skills.

1986: Diabetic Coma throwback

After returning from the band's 1992 summer tour, Garcia became sick, a throwback to his diabetic coma in 1986.

1986: Garcia's Diabetic Coma

In 1986, Jerry Garcia went into a diabetic coma and nearly died. He continued to struggle with health issues later in life.

July 1990: Brent Mydland's Death

In July 1990, Brent Mydland died of a speedball overdose, deeply affecting Jerry Garcia, who believed the band's chemistry would never be the same.

1991: Concerns About Band's Future and Relapse

In 1991, Jerry Garcia was concerned with the Grateful Dead's future due to exhaustion from touring. He relapsed into heroin use, prompting another intervention from the band.

1993: Decline of Physical and Mental Condition

Throughout 1993, Jerry Garcia's physical and mental condition continued to decline.

1994: Decline of Physical and Mental Condition

In 1994, Jerry Garcia's physical and mental condition continued to decline.

July 1995: Checking into Betty Ford Center and Death

In July 1995, Jerry Garcia checked into the Betty Ford Center for a limited stay. Motivated by this, he then checked into the Serenity Knolls treatment center, where he ultimately died.