On August 13, the Grateful Guitars Foundation will host an all-star benefit concert at San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall. The impending event will bring together a captivating group of players with the distinct opportunity to perform songs on some of Jerry Garcia, Bobby Weir and Phil Lesh’s most prized and historical axes, including “Alligator” (a Fender Stratocaster Garcia played from 1971 to 1973 so-named because of a sticker on it) and the Martin D-28 with which he recorded “Ripple,” as well as Weir’s Modulus Blackknife (used 1983 to 1985). 

“These instruments should be played, not mounted on a wall. I wanted to share them with the fans and players who have loved the Grateful Dead so that the jam scene is enlivened by their unique tones and historical significance,” offered Andy Logan, the founder of Grateful Guitars Foundation and proprietor of many famous Dead-adjacent instruments, amps, speaker cabinets, and keyboards.

In addition to Logan’s commitment to bolster the jam scene, he has been joined by Jason Scheuner, who owns several Lesh-played instruments, notably Mission Control (used from 1974 to 1979). Scheuner has offered the use of his collection, in addition to fellow collectors David Meerman Scott and Nate Bidner, who has stepped in as members of the Grateful Guitars Foundation, and provided their Weir-owned treasures for the event. 

Beckoning to the Grateful Dead’s history, the date of the event will land on the 48th anniversary of the first time the band performed at The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. “Since the Grateful Dead’s legendary Blues for Allah record release in 1975, 8/13 is an important date for the Great American Music Hall. We are excited to honor this date by hosting this inaugural benefit for the Grateful Guitars Foundation, as we fully support their cause to get top instruments into the hands of these incredible players,” offered Fred Barnes, Senior Talent Buyer and General Manager, Great American Music Hall.

Confirmed artists include the acting musical director for the night and a member of Cubensis, Alex Jordan, with Dark Star Orchestra members Jeff Mattson, Rob Eaton, Skip Vangelas, Rob Barraco and Dino English, in addition to Further’s John Kadlecik and Sunshine Becker. Other players include Stu Allen (Phil & Friends), Garrett Deloian (JMF), Zach Nugent (Dead Set), Nate LaPointe (Cubensis), Brad Rhodus (Cubensis), Scott Guberman (Phil & Friends), Elliott Peck (Midnight North), Danny Eisenberg (Mother Hips), Brian Rashap (Mother Hips), Jeremy Hoenig (Melvin Seals & JGB) and Roger Sideman (China Cats). 

All previously mentioned players will share the stage in support of the Grateful Guitars Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which “obtains world-class musical instruments for talented players to carry on the tradition of jam band music into the 21st century and beyond. The foundation has already gifted instruments to many of the artists playing at the show and some of those will be on hand for all to enjoy. In addition, Grateful Guitars board members will loan out stage-used Grateful Dead instruments, like Alligator and Mission Control, for this inaugural event,” according to the press release. 

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased here. Scroll down to view the complete list of players.

Confirmed artists: 
Alex Jordan (Cubensis)
Jeff Mattson (DSO)
Rob Eaton (DSO)
Skip Vangelas (DSO)
Rob Barraco (DSO)
Dino English (DSO)
John Kadlecik (Furthur)
Stu Allen (Phil & Friends)
Garrett Deloian (JMF)
Nate LaPointe (Cubensis)
Brad Rhodus.(Cubensis)
Scott Guberman (Phil & Friends)
Sunshine Becker (Furthur)
Elliott Peck (Midnight North)
Zach Nugent (Dead Set)
Danny Eisenberg (Mother Hips)
Brian Rashap (Mother Hips)
Jeremy Hoenig (Melvin Seals & JGB)
Roger Sideman (China Cats)