NONFICTION

Why the Grateful Dead Matter

by Michael Benson
ForeEdge: Univ. Pr. of New England. Feb. 2016. 184p. photos. index. ISBN 9781611688511. pap. $15.95; ebk. ISBN 9781611689242. MUSIC
COPY ISBN
This brief book by veteran journalist Benson is made up of short essay-like chapters on aspects of the Grateful Dead phenomenon. It contains little in the way of fresh information or insight. While we get much on how the Dead did almost everything differently—from their marketing to their interaction with their fans to how they approached performing—it's not clear why these differences mattered per se. The most interesting parts of the book are when Benson moves away from writing about the Dead qua Dead and tells us about his and others' experiences of the band. Chapter 31 in particular, which narrates a trip to a Jerry Garcia Band concert, is full of fascinating details and perspective related to what makes rock shows exciting. That this section is not actually about the Dead is telling.
VERDICT Chapter 31 should be published as a stand-alone essay, so that it can be enjoyed as a work unto itself. Otherwise, only hard-core fans or scholars need bother.
Reviewed by Derek Sanderson, Mount Saint Mary Coll. Lib., Newburgh, NY , Dec 04, 2015
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