Grateful Dead Records

In 1973, the Grateful Dead established their own record label, aptly titled Grateful Dead Records. Under this label the band created and produced several LP albums in the mid-1970s. Among the albums, titles included: "Wake of the Flood" in 1973, "From the Mars Hotel" in 1974, "Blues for Allah" in 1975, and the double live album "Steal Your Face" in 1976, among others. The label was distributed through United Artists Records.

The band originally wanted more control of their artistic choices and therefore established their own label. Later they wanted to relinquish control of the business aspects of their label and went on to join Arista Records in 1977. The Grateful Dead Records label disbanded shortly thereafter until it was resurrected in the 1990s for CD reissues of non-major-label and authorized concert "bootleg" releases.

Newsletter announcement

In 1973, the Grateful Dead started their own "in-house" record company. The original fantasy was to distribute the records from ice cream trucks outside concerts. As it turned out, things developed in a more traditional direction, as outlined in the mailers that were sent out before and after the first release, "Wake of the Flood".

The following is from a Grateful Dead newsletter (aka "mailer"):

"Grateful Dead Records

September 4, 1973"

"Fellow Dead Head,"

"There are two reasons for writing to you now; first to give you the earliest specific information on our new record distribution program; secondly to ask you to join us as part of our eyes, cars and feet on the ground to keep the scene straight locally."

"We've decided to produce, manufacture and distribute our records ourselves. The band today finished the recording of an all new studio album (been a long time) called Wake of the Flood. The album will be made from the highest quality vinyl available, which has the best technical properties. In addition, it will be heavier (weigh more, that is) than most albums available in this country. It will be handled locally through independent record distributors and should be available everywhere."

"This adventure is a jumping off point to get us in a position of greater contact with our people, to put us more in command of our own ship, and for unspoken potentials for the "far out."

"If you're interested in getting involved, drop us a line here. In any case you'll enjoy the record - it's dynamite!"

"Gratefully yours,

Grateful Dead"

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ee also

* List of record labels

* [http://www.gratefuldeadbooks.com/ Grateful Dead Books]