The Grateful Dead were an American psychedelic rock band from California, formed in 1965. They fused rock, blues, jazz, folk, country, bluegrass, rock and roll, gospel, reggae, and world music with psychedelia.
Founding members were the late Jerry Garcia - lead guitar and vocals, Bob Weir - rhythm guitar and vocals, the late Ron "Pigpen" McKernan - keyboards/ harmonica/ vocals, the late Phil Lesh - bass guitar and vocals, and Bill Kreutzmann - drums.