Exploring the Connection Between My Morning Jacket, Wilco, and the Grateful Dead

During this year’s Days Between event, which spans from August 1 to 9, NPR Music is focusing on stories that explore the enduring appeal of the Grateful Dead and how fans and musicians alike aim to preserve their legacy. The death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 marked the official end of the Grateful Dead. However, the band’s remaining members—Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart—continued to perform together, often collaborating with a new generation of musicians. This has extended the influence of the Dead to new audiences and communities.

The Influence on Indie Rock

In the realm of indie rock, bands like My Morning Jacket and Wilco have engaged with the Grateful Dead’s legacy, partly by sharing the stage with Bob Weir. These experiences have forged meaningful connections between them and the Dead’s unique, psychedelic musicianship. Both bands have paid tribute to the Grateful Dead’s music. In 2016, they contributed covers to an album titled Day of the Dead. NPR Music’s dedicated Deadheads held discussions with Jim James of My Morning Jacket and Jeff Tweedy of Wilco about how their appreciation for the Grateful Dead has evolved.

Jim James’ Journey with the Grateful Dead

When initially asked about his relationship with the Grateful Dead’s music, Jim James admitted that as a youth, he disliked the band. This stemmed from negative interactions with fans. His perspective changed in his mid-20s when he heard American Beauty, falling in love with tracks like “Candyman” and exploring Workingman’s Dead. Over time, more of the Dead’s repertoire began to resonate with him. This grew into an admiration for Weir and his music, especially following experiences performing together.

Bobby was fearless. The most hilarious thing about meeting Bobby was doing a tour with Bob Dylan where Dylan was aloof, but Bob Weir was present, engaging, and musically brave.

James learned invaluable lessons about embracing spontaneity and fearlessness from Weir. He recounted times playing with Weir, resonating with Weir’s willingness to be present and experiment while performing, regardless of the outcome.

Jeff Tweedy’s Perspective on the Grateful Dead

Jeff Tweedy of Wilco grew up with punk music where the Grateful Dead was initially frowned upon. However, his appreciation grew as he recognized the Dead’s genuine relationship with their fans. Tweedy understands that beyond the Dead’s songs, it’s their approach to community that stands out.

He explained how Wilco’s community grew similarly around their music, creating spaces where fans actively participate in the music experience. This parallels the Grateful Dead’s philosophy of acknowledging the audience as collaborators in the music-making process. Wilco embraced this ethos early on by allowing fans to tape shows, creating a collaborative relationship with them.

Meeting the Icons

Both Jim James and Jeff Tweedy shared anecdotes about meeting Bob Weir and Phil Lesh. James expressed gratitude for learning from Weir’s uninhibited approach to music. Tweedy recalled Weir’s casual visit to Wilco’s dressing room and the camaraderie they shared during the Americanarama tour.

In his interactions with both Weir and Lesh, Tweedy appreciated their openness and the shared belief that music thrives from exploration and spontaneity. Whether widely recognized or not, these musicians’ genuine love for music shines through in their interactions and performances.