Searching for the Sound Audiobook By Phil Lesh cover art

Searching for the Sound

My Life with the Grateful Dead

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Searching for the Sound

By: Phil Lesh
Narrated by: Phil Lesh
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About this listen

Phil Lesh first met Jerry Garcia in 1959 in the clubs of Palo Alto, California. At Garcia's suggestion, Lesh learned to play the electric bass and joined him in a new group that blended R&B, country, and rock 'n' roll with an experimental fervor never before heard.

In time for the Grateful Dead's 40th anniversary, Phil Lesh offers the first behind-the-scenes history of the Dead. Lesh chronicles how the Dead's signature sound emerged, flowed, and swelled to reach millions of devoted fans, from their first gigs at Frenchy's Bikini-A-Go-Go for an audience of three, to the legendary Acid Tests, to packed stadiums around the world.

In San Francisco during the Summer of Love, at Woodstock, Altamont, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Grateful Dead have been at the center of some of rock's defining moments. Phil Lesh recounts what it's been like to live at the heart of this whirlwind, impressing Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, sharing the stage with Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and the Rolling Stones. Lesh describes what it was like to storm heaven night after night, and the price he and others have paid. Bad management, drug addictions, depression, and insecurities persistently plagued the band members and would culminate with the most tragic blow of all, the death of Jerry Garcia.

Searching for the Sound is a ruthlessly honest look inside one of the greatest American bands.

©2005 Phil Lesh (P)2005 Simon & Schuster, Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.
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Critic reviews

"It's hard to say which of these miracles is more profound: the fact that after three decades with the Grateful Dead, Lesh has any memories of the experience whatsoever, or that he's been able to consolidate them into a single volume of less than 20,000 pages." (The New York Times Book Review)

Intimate Storytelling • Cultural Insights • Articulate Narration • Insightful Friendship • Musical Journey
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If you could sum up Searching for the Sound in three words, what would they be?

Phil tells it

What did you like best about this story?

The early years, from Phil's pov.

Have you listened to any of Phil Lesh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not as thunderous as his bass performances, but great all the same.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Phil lesh tells his story. Nuff said.

awesome, just wish it wasn't abridged...

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Seeing the full experience of The Grateful Dead, through the eyes of a full time member was incredible. Phil Lesh is more than a terrific musician, he's a great human being in general and his view on music from every angle is aspiring for any musician.

This is a Must read for any Dead fan!!

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An incredible first hand look into the life and times of the Grateful Dead. Phil is a phenomenal narrator.

I love Phil!

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Thank you. I love you. I will continue to do my best with what you have taught and continue to teach me.

I love you

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Great story, written by and told by Phil Lesh. From the author's childhood - growing up playing trumpet and violin in bands, through his failed entry into the Army, flunking out of college and being down on his luck, this is chalked full of great stories. The time Phil first hears Jerry Garcia play, stories about Neal Cassidy, Woodstock, Altamont, jamming at the Egyptian Pyramids. It's all great, and it's all firsthand stuff (from the guy that was there). There are heart wrenching stories about the demise of the Dead - alcohol, drugs, women. The best stories, though, are about the music. The way the Dead invented the "jam band" sound. How they would play off each other through tension/resolution and call and response. It's a must read for musicians, deadheads, and fans of the 60s.

Musicians and fans of guitar, 60s will love it

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Phil brings so much love and devotion to his story depicting his life with The Grateful Dead. Every time I think I know enough about this band, it's books like this one that prove me wrong and remind me that I'm only beginning my journey of knowledge. Phil is a loving human being with passion and kindness beyond words. I absolutely adored this book and appreciate everything Phil offered.

A Heart Warming Devotional

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I was very pleasantly surprised at Phil's articulation in retelling his experiences with the band. His sensitivity in describing Jerry's passing and the thrill he got from playing with the Dead was related in such a way that I could feel what is was like to have been there. It was also thrilling to hear about the personal sides of the band members when playing or just hanging out together. Hearing about Jerry's cat learning to fetch or swimming with his Newfoundland dogs was something I never heard before. I loved hearing about the bands evolution with each new keyboard player. All in all I loved this book and felt like Phil was talking to me alone.

Phil's Surprising Story

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loved it. wish it was longer. great read for a Dead fan or any music fan. there is version of box of rain at the end from a show I attended. great great great. looking forward to seeing you, Phil in portchester in July and October

quintessential dead book.

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If you ever went to a Grateful Dead show and looked at the faces around you you will understand the joy that was created between The Band & The Collective Colorful Gyrating souls that were brought together for one common purpose to forget your troubles and dance, Forget your weakness and dance, forget your sorrows and dance! Phil did a great job with this book he Bared his soul and gave insight to what was happening behind the stage behind the music and behind the eyes of the bandmembers. Enclosing the only thing there is to say is God Bless Grateful Dead

We Are Everywhere & We Are Love 🙏🏽

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It is interesting to hear this in his voice. He, really personalizes the experience.

Nicely written

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