How Jerry Garcia Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Jerry Garcia—a timeline of influence.

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

1985: Asteroid discovery

In 1985, Tom Gehrels discovered an asteroid but never named it. The astronomer later offered it to Simon Radford and Ed Olszewski, who named it after Jerry Garcia in November 1995.

1987: Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream

In 1987, Ben & Jerry's introduced their Cherry Garcia ice cream flavor dedicated to Jerry Garcia. It was the first ice cream flavor dedicated to a musician.

November 1995: Asteroid named after Garcia

In November 1995, astronomers Simon Radford and Ed Olszewski named an asteroid that orbits between Mars and Jupiter after Jerry Garcia. Tom Gehrels, who had originally discovered the asteroid in 1985 but never named it, offered it to them for the occasion.

April 4, 1996: Spreading of Ashes in India

On the morning of April 4, 1996, Bob Weir and Deborah Koons spread half of Jerry Garcia's ashes into the Ganges at Rishikesh, India, a site sacred to Hindus.

1998: Roach species named after Garcia

In 1998, a newly discovered species of roach was named Cryptocercus garciai after Jerry Garcia.

2000: God, the Devil and Bob sitcom airs

In 2000, NBC broadcast the animated sitcom, God, the Devil and Bob, which featured a "God" character based on Jerry Garcia's appearance. The series was cancelled after four episodes due to backlash and low ratings.

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2001: Irwin wins lawsuit over guitars

In 2001, Doug Irwin won the lawsuit against the remaining Grateful Dead members regarding ownership of Jerry Garcia's guitars, Wolf and Tiger.

May 8, 2002: Auction of Wolf and Tiger guitars

On May 8, 2002, Jerry Garcia's guitars, Wolf and Tiger, were auctioned at Studio 54 in New York City. Tiger sold for $957,500, and Wolf for $789,500, setting a world record for the pair at $1.74 million. Tiger went to Jim Irsay and Wolf went to Daniel Pritzker.

2003: Garcia ranked 13th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time"

In 2003, Jerry Garcia was ranked 13th in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" cover story, highlighting his distinctive guitar playing.

2003: Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists list

In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked Jerry Garcia 13th in its list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.

July 30, 2004: The Grateful Garcia Gathering

On July 30, 2004, Melvin Seals headlined "The Grateful Garcia Gathering", an outdoor music and camping festival. He was the first Jerry Garcia Band (JGB) member to do so.

July 21, 2005: "Jerry Garcia Amphitheater" named

On July 21, 2005, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission passed a resolution to name the amphitheater in McLaren Park the "Jerry Garcia Amphitheater".

August 7, 2005: First show at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

On August 7, 2005, the first show at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater was Jerry Day 2005. Jerry's brother, Tiff Garcia, welcomed everyone to the new amphitheater.

September 24, 2005: Tribute concert in Berkeley

On September 24, 2005, the Comes a Time: A Celebration of the Music & Spirit of Jerry Garcia tribute concert was held at the Hearst Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California, featuring Bob Weir, Bill Kreutzmann, Mickey Hart, Bruce Hornsby, and Trey Anastasio, among others.

October 29, 2005: Dedication ceremony for Jerry Garcia Amphitheater

On October 29, 2005, the dedication ceremony (Jerry Day 2) for the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater was officiated by mayor Gavin Newsom.

2007: David Kemper joins Melvin Seals and JGB

In 2007, Jerry Garcia Band drummer David Kemper joined Melvin Seals and JGB.

July 26, 2008: NPR interview with Lee Johnson

On July 26, 2008, Lee Johnson was interviewed on NPR about his orchestral tribute to the music of the Grateful Dead, "Dead Symphony: Lee Johnson Symphony No. 6," and gave credit to Garcia's songwriting.

2010: Jerry Garcia Glen opens

In 2010, the Santa Barbara Bowl in California opened Jerry Garcia Glen, including a statue of Garcia's right hand, along the walk up to the venue.

May 14, 2015: "Dear Jerry" tribute concert

On May 14, 2015, an all-star lineup held a tribute concert for Jerry Garcia at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland. The event was called "Dear Jerry".

2015: Hunter and Garcia inducted into Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 2015, Hunter and Jerry Garcia were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Hunter accepted the award along with Garcia's daughter, Trixie Garcia, who accepted on behalf of her father.

2015: The Jerry Garcia Foundation launched

In 2015, Jerry Garcia's wife, Manasha Garcia, and their daughter, Keelin Garcia, launched The Jerry Garcia Foundation, a nonprofit charity that supports projects for artistic, environmental, and humanitarian causes.

2015: Garcia ranked #46 in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists

In the 2015 version of the list, Jerry Garcia was ranked #46 in Rolling Stone's list of 100 Greatest Guitarists.

May 2017: Auction of Wolf guitar for charity

In May 2017, the Wolf guitar was auctioned again, this time for charity. Daniel Pritzker donated all proceeds to the Southern Poverty Law Center. Brian Halligan placed the winning bid totaling $1.9 million.

2017: Red Roses, Green Gold musical

In 2017, Jerry Garcia's music was featured in Red Roses, Green Gold, an off-Broadway musical featuring the music of Garcia and Robert Hunter, with additional music by Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Hunter's longtime collaborator Greg Anton.

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2018: Jerry Garcia Music Arts label launched

In 2018, Jerry Garcia's family members, Keelin Garcia and Manasha Garcia launched the Jerry Garcia Music Arts independent music label.

June 23, 2019: John Mayer plays Wolf at Citi Field

On June 23, 2019, John Mayer played Jerry Garcia's "Wolf" guitar with Dead & Company at Citi Field.

October 2021: Auction of Garcia's Stage Rack and Budman Amp

On 14 October 2021, Jerry Garcia's last stage rack containing a MC2300 sold for $226,800 USD. The MC2300 Budman sold for $378,000 USD during a Sotheby's auction.

November 18, 2021: Forthcoming Grateful Dead biopic announced

On November 18, 2021, it was announced that Jonah Hill would portray Jerry Garcia in a forthcoming Grateful Dead biopic directed by Martin Scorsese for Apple TV+.