San Jose to Commemorate Grateful Dead’s Origins with Historic plaque
SAN JOSE,CA – San jose will formally recognize its pivotal role in the formation of the Grateful Dead with a public plaque dedication ceremony on Thursday,acknowledging the city as the band’s birthplace. The event will take place at 4:45 p.m. in City Hall South Plaza, following doors opening at 4 p.m.
The Grateful Dead’s genesis traces back to 1965, when Jerry Garcia, Bob weir, Ron “Pigpen” mckernan, Phil Lesh, and Bill kreutzmann began experimenting with avant-garde music, LSD-fueled light shows, and communal gatherings. These early events, known as the “Acid Tests,” quickly became foundational to the burgeoning counterculture movement.
By early 1967, the band released its self-titled debut album, a record that helped define the sound of the Summer of Love. The classic lineup – Garcia, Weir, Lesh, McKernan, and Kreutzmann – became prominent figures at key cultural moments, including the Human Be-In in Golden Gate Park and the Monterey International Pop Festival.
The San Jose ceremony will include a Muwekma Ohlone land acknowledgment, remarks from Councilmember Dev Davis and mayor Matt Mahan, a historical overview by San Jose Rocks historian Mark Purdy, and a firsthand account of the 1965 Acid Test from organizer Ira Meltzer. Jerry Garcia’s daughter, Trixie Garcia, will also deliver special remarks. Legendary rock poster artist Stanley Mouse, known for the grateful Dead’s iconic skull-and-roses image, has designed a commemorative piece for the occasion.
Following the plaque unveiling, a drum procession will lead attendees to the nearby Sonic Runway light installation, followed by a reception and an exhibition inside the Janet Gray Hayes Rotunda.
The tribute coincides with the band’s 60th anniversary celebrations, which have included recent performances by Dead & Company in Golden Gate Park and a tribute concert at Pier 48. While San Francisco remains central to the Grateful Dead’s mythology, San Jose is now formally recognizing its foundational role in the band’s history.
