The Grateful Dead is known for its unique and eclectic style that defies easy categorization. Often considered a pioneer of the jam band genre, the Grateful Dead incorporated psychedelia, rock, bluegrass, blues, gospel, reggae, R&B, and many other genres into their repertoire. As is typical of jam bands, their live performances would often lead into long, improvised instrumentals and unrehearsed jam sessions.

The Grateful Dead started in the spring of 1965 as the “Warlocks.” In 1966, they changed their name to the “Grateful Dead.” On March 17, 1967, the band released their self-titled, debut album.

After over 30 years performing together, the Grateful Dead disbaneded in the summer of 1995, following the death of Jerry Garcia, the band’s front runner, songwriter, lead guitarist, and vocalist. However, many of the members of the band continued performing under different names, such as Dead and Co and Phil Lesh and Friends.

The name "Grateful Dead" was chosen by founder Jerry Garcia when he was looking through a dictionary. The name is derived from an old English folk tale titled "The Grateful Dead," which tells the story of a traveler who gives his last penny to pay for the burial of a corpse and is then mysteriously assisted by the ghost of the dead person.

The Grateful Dead amassed a substantial discography over their 30-year career. It is estimated that the band recorded more than 450 original songs while covering hundreds more.

The Grateful Dead bears and skull symbolize the band's connection to the counterculture of the 1960s. The bears and skull were designed by Bob Thomas and have become some of the band’s most recognizable symbols.

Jerry Garcia was the lead singer, guitarist, and main songwriter for the Grateful Dead. He was also a highly respected musician outside the Grateful Dead, playing with various other artists and bands. On August 9, 1995, Jerry Garcia died of a heart attack. He was only 53 years old.

Jerry Garcia's body was cremated after he passed away. His ashes were dispersed throughout the San Francisco Bay.

Two-thirds of Jerry Garcia's right middle finger were accidently removed by his brother in a wood-splitting accident that occurred during a family vacation in 1946. He admitted that he used it to his advantage by showing it off to others.

After Jerry Garcia's death, Rush Limbaugh commented, "Just another dead doper. And a dirtbag." Fans of Garcia and the Grateful Dead protested against Limbaugh and forced him to eventually issue an apology for his disrespectful words. It’s unclear if he actually meant his apology or was just trying to recover from bad press.

Grateful Dead has had 2,420 concerts.

Grateful Dead is most often considered to be Rock, Classic Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Folk Rock, Country Rock, Psychedelic, Roots Rock, Jam Band, Jam, Double Drumming, and Cosmic American.

The last Grateful Dead concert was on December 29, 2022 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States.

The songs that Grateful Dead performs live vary, but here's the latest setlist that we have from the July 05, 2015 concert at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, United States:

1. China Cat Sunflower
2. I Know You Rider
3. Estimated Prophet
4. Built to Last
5. Samson and Delilah
6. Mountains of the Moon
7. Throwing Stones
8. Truckin'
9. Cassidy
10. Althea
11. Terrapin Station
12. Drums
13. Space
14. Unbroken Chain
15. Days Between
16. Not Fade Away
17. Trey Anastasio, Bruce Hornsby, Bob Weir share lead vocals
18. Touch of Grey
19. Trey Anastasio, Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Bruce Hornsby on lead vocals, with Bobby on acoustic guitar
20. Attics of My Life