Inside the Epic Grateful Dead Tribute: How It All Came Together for MusiCares!

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Translating the rich musical heritage of the Grateful Dead into a single night is no simple accomplishment, especially compressing it into three hours. However, Don Was – a long-standing president of Blue Note Records, a highly respected multi-instrumentalist and music director for the Jan. 31 MusiCares Persons of the Year event – was equal to the challenge. He carefully selected an impressive ensemble of admirers, which included Billy Strings, The War on Drugs, Norah Jones, Dwight Yoakam, Maren Morris, Noah Kahan and Wynonna Judd, as well as long-term associates such as John Mayer, Bruce Hornsby and Was himself, who tours with Bob Weir’s Wolf Bros playing his unique upright bass.

According to Was’ account, the playlist emerged naturally, allowing the artists to decide which songs they wanted to perform. The final selection ranged from crowd-pleasers like Yoakam’s “Truckin'”, to challenging pieces such as Mayer’s rendition of “Terrapin Station”, all the way to essential tunes like War and Treaty with Mick Fleetwood and Stewart Copeland’s performance of “Samson & Delilah” and Noah Kahan’s duet with Bela Fleck on “Friend of the Devil”.

After the Grammy Awards, The Hollywood Reporter had a chat with Was. During this conversation, Weir was seen engaging excitedly with Taylor Swift, while Beyoncé was seated just a few feet away. Earlier in the day, Sierra Ferrell, who performed at MusiCares, had swept the Americana awards.

How would one possibly devise a playlist when the Grateful Dead’s discography is as extensive as it is? I believe the key lies in considering the artists who will perform the songs. We encourage them to select a track that resonates with them personally. If they struggle, we can offer suggestions. However, the gap between mimicking a Grateful Dead show through karaoke and creating a performance filled with soul and emotion lies in giving the artists the freedom to choose a song they can truly connect with, discover something fresh within it.

Who gave an outstanding interpretation of those songs?

Bruce Hornsby, in my opinion, breathed new life into “Standing on the Moon” and uncovered a depth of emotion I hadn’t realized was there – and we perform it together at almost every fourth or fifth show. Dwight Yoakam transformed “Truckin'” into a Texas shuffle with such a rich rhythm, and it added a whole new taste to the song. I believe John Mayer brought an entirely unique perspective to “Terrapin Station.” He discovered another route into the song that was fresh and only served to enhance the beauty of the composition even more. These songs are so captivating – that’s their magic. They resonate with generations of people who follow the band for a lifetime because they can really delve into the narratives. And they’re abstract enough that each person can project their own inner emotional journey onto them. Everyone found their own way to interpret them.

Was there a predetermined roster of artists or did the opportunity to be involved in this event just materialize?

Among the standout moments for me were performances by The War on Drugs, Vampire Weekend, and Sierra Ferrell. I think it would be great if this concert could be streamed online so that others not in attendance can experience it too. What do you think?

It seems that all of them – Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Neil Diamond, and Fleetwood Mac – were recorded using multiple tracks. However, it’s currently in the process of obtaining permissions from everyone involved. Sometimes, people may not grant these permissions, but for each project I’ve worked on, it was initially intended to be a television show.

Or alternatively, an album could also be possible?

Yes, you’re right. It could very well turn into an album as well.

What makes these songs and the Dead’s enduring catalog so captivating? Their appeal lies in their deeply symbolic nature, particularly in Robert Hunter’s lyrics. When you play to massive crowds, each individual brings a unique set of personal issues and emotions. To unite 80,000 people with a single song, to communicate with people who ascribe different meanings to the same song, that is the essence of powerful poetry.

Everyone has a special line in a specific song that holds more significance or provides comfort. We perform “Ripple” every night as our finale, and I’m always moved by the emotional responses I see from the front row audience members who find the song deeply meaningful, often crying and hugging their friends. The intensity of this audience response is truly profound and awe-inspiring. It’s remarkable.

Did you feel let down that some well-known crowd pleasers such as “Brokedown Palace” and “Shakedown Street” weren’t included?

There were numerous options available, but we could select just fifteen. The performance turned out to be quite extensive. Remarkably, the audience remained engaged throughout the entire Dead & Co. set, standing up for the duration.

Dave Matthews had initially been scheduled to perform… He was supposed to play “Sugaree” alongside Mayer on an acoustic set, however, a family illness forced him to withdraw from both MusiCares and FireAid at the last minute.

Despite the excitement of the crowd pushing towards the stage, momentarily obstructing Weir’s view, the event seemed to unfold smoothly? However, there was a minor technical issue with John’s acoustic guitar during “Terrapin”. It was plugged into the incorrect socket, causing some problems. We attempted to rectify it and then they switched to a recording or something of the sort. It took a couple of minutes to resolve the issue on stage. By the time we returned to John to perform the song, everyone was more relaxed, taking us to an unexpected place with the song. I’m grateful for the technical glitch as it likely kept us from getting too carried away. I thought John sang it magnificently, and I was truly impressed.

What were your standout moments from the night?

In my opinion, “Terrapin” had an impressive power to it. Performing “Ripple” with Norah was delightful, as I felt she brought a captivating touch to the song. Sierra Ferrell and Lukas Nelson’s rendition of “Must Have Been the Roses” was equally enjoyable for me. As for Dwight, we had previously mastered a specific approach to “Truckin’,” but when he arrived, he shook things up by suggesting alternative chords on the guitar, creating a profoundly rhythmic flow. His interpretation of “Truckin'” was a refreshing reinvention – it swung and rocked like nothing I’ve experienced before. All in all, I found that performance truly engaging, and I didn’t encounter a single moment that wasn’t enjoyable for me.

Ending with “Touch of Grey” was especially poignant in these times. Was that always the plan?

Indeed, it carries a multifaceted significance. It resonates with the Los Angeles fires as well as the devoted Deadheads who have stood by the band for six decades. Remarkable, isn’t it?

I take it you’ve been to the Sphere?

Indeed, it was truly awe-inspiring! As a child in the 1950s, we were often told about the future, and The Jetsons was always our vision of what it might become. While much of that hasn’t come to pass, stepping into the Sphere made me feel like it was all worth waiting for – a glimpse of the future I had dreamed of as a kid. Despite knowing the team behind-the-scenes and being aware of all the workings, I found myself utterly captivated. It was an exceptional experience!

Below is the MusiCares Grateful Dead Persons of the Year full set list:

Bob Weir with Orchestra – Dark Star/The Other One
War & Treaty, Mick Fleetwood, and Stewart Copeland – Samson & Delilah
My Morning Jacket and Maggie Rose – One More Saturday Night
Norah Jones and Bela Fleck – Ripple
Zac Brown and Marcus King – Bertha
Wynonna Judd – Ramble On Rose
Noah Kahan with Bela Fleck – Friend Of The Devil
Vampire Weekend – Scarlet Begonias > Crazy Fingers
Dwight Yoakam – Truckin’
Maren Morris – They Love Each Other
Sierra Ferrell and Lukas Nelson – It Must Have Been The Roses
Billy Strings – Wharf Rat
Sammy Hagar – Loose Lucy
Bruce Hornsby – Standing on the Moon
Grahame Lesh and The War on Drugs – Box of Rain
John Mayer – Terrapin Station
Dead & Company – Althea > Sugar Magnolia > Touch Of Grey

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2025-02-05 21:55