Grateful Dead

Daryl Brooke opened a music store in Key West, Florida after retiring from the computer industry in 2012. The store was a dream of his and made perfect sense, especially considering his family always joked that he had collected enough gear over the years to supply his own store. Daryl’s passion began early in his life and the guitar was his first and only instrument. That passion continues to this day as evident by the fact that on most evenings, after the store closes, Daryl can be heard playing is steel guitar in a local bar or restaurant.

Donna Jean Godchaux was the only female singer to perform and record with the Grateful Dead, joining the band in 1971 and remaining with them through 1979. As the group’s first female vocalist, she brought a soulful warmth and dynamic energy to their sound, both on stage and in the studio. Born and raised in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, Donna Jean’s musical path began early—at just nine years old, she met Rick Hall before he opened FAME Studios and recorded demos in his small studio above the City Drug Store.

 Mickey Hart is the noted drummer of the Grateful Dead who has helped define rock drumming since the 1960s. His passion for the art form of percussion led him to write a series of books and countless articles on the history of drumming. His activities have helped popularize drum circles and music therapy programs that have benefited from the use of drums. Mickey began working with Remo Belli and other promoters of the benefits of music making as early as the 1970s, ahead of most other such efforts. Mickey has also been active in encouraging other young players with a series of cli

Bob Heil received his first break into the pro audio market when the Grateful Dead’s sound system was not available for a concert date. Bob’s own powerful system was used, and a new name for speakers and microphones was born into the world. Several of his innovative products, including sound systems, control units, and amplifiers, have forever changed the quality of audio products. His books on sound systems and lighting are used as field guides for a generation of techies and roadies.

John Meyer founded Meyer Sound Laboratory back in 1979 and soon became an important pioneer and innovator in sound reinforcement.  He worked to establish a balance in the sound created by the microphones, signal processors, amps and loudspeakers to produce the desired sound for both live and recording settings.  Over the years John has became the father of such advances in audio as processor-controlled loudspeaker systems as well as self-powered loudspeakers.  He has created sound systems for such performers as Frank Zappa, The Grateful Dead and Creedence Clearwater Revival, among

Helen Meyer, Co-Founder of Meyer Sound in Berkeley California, remembers attending a rock concert while still dating John Meyer (whom she later married). John turned to Helen and told her he thought he could make a better system. It wasn’t long before the company was formed and like John, Helen jumped in with both feet. She learned accounting and designed the parts department as well as handled sales and ran the Human Resource department. Helen oversaw the hiring of all new employees. While John was creating award winning innovative products for live sound and the movies, Helen ra

Mo Morrison could often be found behind the stage at every concert and performance by Lady Gaga.  As a concert production and tour manager, he worked with many of the biggest and brightest stars in pop music and rock and roll.  His career started as a stage hand and rigger, which led to such highlights as his 11 years at the Capitol Theater in Passaic, NJ.  As production manager for the Grateful Dead, Mo expanded into stadium performances, which later served him well when he was the site coordinator for three concert tours for Michael Jackson.  In 2013, Mo was inducted into the Pa

Bob Olhsson started as a mastering intern at Motown Records in the mid-1960s, when he was still a teenager.  His long and innovative career as an engineer has included several historic projects including albums with Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye.  After moving from Detroit to San Francisco, Bob focused on the rock bands of the 1970s, working with the Grateful Dead and Harmonica Mundi, among others.  Since 1977, Bob has been a proud member of AES and has provided several presentations to encourage younger generations to learn the art of recording engineering.

Michael Paul, known as MP, always had an interest in the visual arts, especially those that could involve multiple formats.  When he had the chance to create light and color programs for live musical acts in the 1960s, MP found his true passion!  He worked on countless shows including those for the Grateful Dead and Janis Joplin as well as for Country Joe and the Fish and other rock groups in and around the San Francisco music scene.  Soon after discovering the use of colorized liquids and overhead projectors, MP established his own pro lighting business, which pioneered tools and

Rick Shubb has always been fascinated with bluegrass music and its instruments. He has recorded and performed often playing his five-string banjo. He grew up in the Berkeley area and met many performers including the members of the Warlocks that would later become the Grateful Dead. Rick designed many of the band’s concert posters, as well as work for other performers in the area. Later he designed a banjo capo and then a guitar capo, which launched the Shubb Capo business in the early 1980s.  

Rick Turner was well known for his innovative handcrafted guitars and for pioneering the resurgence of American luthiers in the 1960s and 70s. With an ear for quality sound and an eye for design, Rick created a new approach to the art of guitar making and in so doing promoted the fine art talents of in-lay design, and acoustic electronics among many facets of instrument building. His long career in music has strong ties to recording and amplification, which included a decade-long gig on the road with the Grateful Dead.  

Michael Ward is a co-owner and General Manager for San Francisco’s Hyde Street Studios, which was opened in 1969 by Wally Heider. It became the home studio for legendary bands that went on to define not only the San Francisco sound but changed the direction of rock music forever. Bands such as The Grateful Dead, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Jefferson Airplane, Santana, and Crosby, Stills, and Nash recorded many of the most important works of the ’60s and 70s in this off-the-beaten-path Tenderloin location.