50 Years Ago: "American Beauty" by the Grateful Dead
Today in 1970, Jerry & co. released their classic folk rock album
I am just about as far from a Deadhead as you can get, though if you saw my greasy covid hair right now, you might think otherwise.
So this will not be an exercise in persuading you that American Beauty — released 50 years ago today and recently upgraded to #215 on the Rolling Stone megalist of best albums — is a masterpiece. To write this blurb, I tried listening to the album again. It’s probably been 20 years, and yep, “Sugar Magnolia” still sounds like mama bears warbling harmonies in an outdoor shower. “Truckin” still feels like a critter just ran up my pant leg.
So instead of trying to convince you of something I don’t believe, I’ll tell a joke. It’s my favorite joke, actually. Here it goes:
Q: What’s a deadhead’s favorite kind of cigarettes?
A: Yours.
Why jam when you can write this short?
MORE ANNIVERSARIES
55 Years Ago Today: Alex Haley’s The Autobiography of Malcolm X was published posthumously, eight months after the death of the civil rights leader.
60 Years Ago Today: Elvis released his version of “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”
70 Years Ago Today: A Puerto Rican nationalist attempted to assassinate Harry Truman.
75 Years Ago Today: The first issue of Ebony was published. A collection of covers and stories will soon be published by Rizzoli.