Shakedown Street Style

Shakedown Street Style

By: Hardy Greene

On August 9, 1995, the world lost the frontman of The Grateful Dead, Jerry Garcia. The jam icon died having become one of the most influential men in music, fashion, and art. After his death, this status only continued to grow. Garcia left behind a culture upheld by “Deadheads” whose effect on music and fashion continues today.

The deadhead style, rooted in 1960s counterculture, continues to defy time. The tie-dye, dancing bears, and “stealies” are as popular now as they have ever been and shirts from Dead shows fetch up to several thousands of dollars on the resale market. 

This style developed in the jam lot scene. With bands like the Grateful Dead, the Allman Brothers Band, Phish, and Widespread Panic, the lots outside the shows housed a unique culture of music fans. These lots became lovingly referred to as “Shakedown Street,” the name of a classic Grateful Dead track. This lot scene, notorious for psychedelics, bootleg tees, homemade grilled cheese sandwiches, and a peaceful community became a breeding ground for deadheads and other music fans to explore their style in a space filled with people of similar interests and lifestyles. 

The lot was a place for these listeners to expand their style with no fear of judgment. Fans could often be seen in unique textures and materials, as well as vibrant patterns and colors. The style expanded beyond this with groups such as spinners, fans who wore long dresses and skirts to gracefully spin to the music. 

Much of this style was pressed onward by the members of the band themselves. The Grateful Dead’s ongoing collaboration with legendary dye company “Liquid Blue” allowed deadheads to buy official merch with fantastic dyes. This, along with the legendary style of band members such as Bobby Weir, gave deadheads more inspiration than they would ever need.

As the music of the Dead lives on, the style they spearheaded thrives alongside.

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