CANCELLED – Preview: Music to Your Ears: Grateful Dead 1970
UPDATE: Due to the natural disaster in Asheville, this event is cancelled.
Asheville Guitar Bar was gutted by the recent devastating floods. Once the long and slow process of recovery begins in our community, I’ll post any and all relevant news about fundraising/relief efforts. For now, please keep Western NC in your thoughts. If you want to do more, donate to reputable agencies (and — speaking for myself only — preferably non-religious one, please) agencies who are trying to help here.
The Grateful Dead cultivated one of the most passionate and dedicated fan bases in all of music. From their start in the Bay Area in the mid 1960s through the group’s farewell in 1995, The Dead made their own brand of distinctive and original music, carving out an entire set of music genres in the process. And the group’s influence endures to this day across the musical landscape. And while commercial success was never part of the goal for the Grateful Dead, their music occasionally crossed over into the pop world. Two albums in particular – Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, both released in 1970 – distilled the Dead’s virtues into the form of tight, concise and catchy songs that earned radio play. One of those songs, “Truckin’” was even a minor hit single. But beyond the hit, those two albums yielded many of the band’s most beloved songs.
The October installment of the popular Music to Your Ears listening party/discussion series will explore Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty: what makes those records special, why they remain popular and acclaimed, and why the songs are still part of many artists’ live performances. Series host Bill Kopp will be joined by well-known and popular Western North Carolina musician Spiro Nicolopoulos to lead a discussion about the music. And Spiro – an acclaimed guitarist and songwriter himself who also leads many Dead-focused musical events – will sing and play select songs from those albums.
WHAT: Music to Your Ears Discussion Series: Grateful Dead’s Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty
WHO: Live music and discussion led by music journalist/author Bill Kopp with co-host Spiro Nicolopoulos
WHERE: Asheville Guitar Bar, 122 Riverside Dr., Suite D, Asheville
WHEN: Wednesday, October 2, 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (doors open 6:30) $10 at the door / SEATING IS LIMITED
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day for several years). The more than 5000 interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he taught a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- some 40 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 30 Great Concept Albums is available now. Read even more about him here.