Dark Star: An Oral Biography of Jerry Garcia

For over thirty years, Jerry Garcia served as the musical and spiritual center of the Grateful Dead, one of the most popular rock bands of all time. Dark Star is the first biography of Garcia published after his death, constructed from interviews with those closest to him. Through an oral history format, the book traces Garcia's life from his childhood in San Francisco through the formation of his musical identity, the Grateful Dead's unconventional path to rock stardom, and his final struggle with heroin addiction. Interviews with his former wives, lovers, family members, close friends, musical partners, and cultural associates provide behind-the-scenes perspective on the making of a rock-and-roll icon and the consequences of fame. The book includes an introduction by Bob Weir.