Ep 3. Let's Go Get In The Band

Long Strange Trip is a documentary miniseries that explores the history of the iconic American rock band, the Grateful Dead. In season 1, episode 3 entitled "Let's Go Get In The Band," the show takes us on a journey through the early years of the band as they struggle to find their identity and their place in the music industry.

The episode begins by introducing us to the original members of the Grateful Dead, who all came from very different backgrounds. Lead guitarist Jerry Garcia was a bluegrass musician, bassist Phil Lesh was a classical composer, and drummers Bill Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart came from the world of jazz. Despite their differences, the band members shared a love of improvisational music and a desire to create something truly unique.

The episode then delves into the band's early years, which were marked by a series of setbacks and false starts. They started out playing gigs at local bars and coffeehouses in the San Francisco Bay Area, but struggled to gain traction. For a time, they even considered disbanding and going their separate ways.

However, things started to change for the Grateful Dead when they caught the attention of Ken Kesey and his Merry Pranksters. Kesey was a counterculture figurehead who had gained notoriety for his experiments with LSD and his book, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The Merry Pranksters were a group of hippies who followed Kesey around the country in a psychedelic bus, spreading messages of peace, love, and rebellion.

Kesey saw something special in the Grateful Dead and invited them to be the house band for his Acid Tests, a series of all-night parties that mixed music, LSD, and performance art. The Acid Tests were a huge success and helped to launch the Grateful Dead's career. They began to attract a devoted following of fans, who were drawn to the band's unique sound and their willingness to experiment with different styles of music.

As the episode continues, we see the band members grappling with the challenges of success. They are constantly on the road, playing shows and living out of hotels and tour buses. They become disillusioned with the music industry and the pressures of fame, feeling like they have lost sight of their original vision.

Despite these challenges, the Grateful Dead keep pushing forward. They continue to evolve and experiment, working on new songs and exploring new genres. They also continue to build a community of fans, who become known as "Deadheads." The Deadheads are known for their loyalty and dedication to the band, traveling thousands of miles to attend shows and collect recordings.

Throughout the episode, we see archival footage of the band performing live, as well as interviews with band members and other notable figures from the music industry. We also hear from fans who share their own personal experiences with the Grateful Dead and what the band means to them.

In the end, "Let's Go Get In The Band" is a fascinating look at the early years of one of America's most beloved musical groups. It's a story of triumphs and setbacks, of artistic vision and commercial pressures, and of the power of music to bring people together. Whether you're a die-hard Deadhead or simply a music fan, this episode is a must-see.