Wallmark, ZacharyMyler, Ariel2021-09-132021-09-132021-09-13https://hdl.handle.net/1794/26674The Grateful Dead grew from the 1960’s counterculture and have been one of the most influential bands of American culture. This thesis examines Deadheads and the ritual dimensions of live shows subculture from its inception in the 1960s to the present through ethnographic work, focusing on the period of 1995—2020, and the changes that have arisen with the new group of younger fans. Chapter II consists of a literature review and investigates the ritual dimensions of live show using Robin Sylvan’s levels of ritual dimensions in popular music. Chapter III builds on Sylvan’s theories and examines the improvisation and jam band aesthetic in one of the Dead’s most representative songs “Dark Star.” Chapter IV looks at the data collected through digital ethnography to investigate the differences between classic and new Deadheads, and notes variations in both groups. Chapter V concludes what has been revealed through this research, as well as summarizes future directions of this project.en-USAll Rights Reserved.Grateful DeadElectronic Thesis or Dissertation