ON THIS DAY IN 1995, THE WORLD LOST THE CHARISMATIC FRONTMAN FOR THE GRATEFUL DEAD, JERRY GARCIA

Garcia passed at 4:23am on the morning of the 9th from a heart attack, while staying a San Francisco drug rehabilitation clinic. He had long struggled with various addictions, as well as health issues like diabetes and heavy sleep apnea. A public memorial was held on the 13th, which drew close to 25,000 fans to the Polo Fields of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, and hundreds of flowers, gifts and photographs were produced buy the mourners.

Jerry Garcia is commonly remembered for his work with The Grateful Dead, one of the most significant counterculture bands of the period, and was considered the bands spokesperson, a role he often fought and resented. He also played in a number of side projects and solo albums. With over 15,000 hours of his guitar work saved, he is considered one of the most recorded guitar players of all time.

Garcia was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994, a year before his death and has since received numerous posthumous awards, including number 13 on Rolling Stone’s list of “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time.” A number of festivals, concerts and charity events have also been held in his name and continue to be held, as well as memorial statues and buildings.