The Grateful Dead‘s latest strange iteration — known as Dead & Company — wrapped its summer tour last Saturday (July 30) at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, Calif. It was well attended by Deadheads, old and new, the latter group surely drawn by the attraction of pop star John Mayer assuming the band’s Jerry Garcia role.
John Mayer Says He’ll ‘Never Close the Door on Dead & Company, Ever’
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Mayer may have the guitar chops to channel Garcia, but some question his ability to fit into the Dead’s inestimable mystique. Clean-cut and cherub faced, Mayer clearly does not suit the part. Where Garcia simply wore black T-shirts, jeans and a fully grayed beard, Mayer has been seen in checkerboard jump suits that raise some eyebrows.
Still, it’s been a joy for the “Your Body Is a Wonderland” singer, who yesterday posted at Instagram:
It’s not easy replacing an iconic figure in a band. Ian Astbury gave Jim Morrison a try with Doors of the 21st Century, before that tour was derailed by original Doors drummer John Densmore, who took issue with the use of the Doors name, even though band co-founder Ray Manzarek was leading the updated version of the group. In the case of Dead & Company, there are no such legal conflicts.
The concerns are simply aesthetic. Can Mayer play the part required of him? Opinions vary, but he’s certainly all in. Except for his outfits. It might help for the next tour if he’d at least fashion a stubbly beard or a goatee, something to better visually connect with his crusty on-stage counterparts and tie-dye wearing audience. Garcia would approve.