With the Grateful Dead celebrating their 60th anniversary, we’ve rounded up the best merch from the legendary jam band
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Deadheads are nothing if not dedicated. The legendary jam band and Rock and Roll Hall of Famers have enjoyed decades of fandom that few bands rival. And just like their decades of musical output, the Grateful Dead are unbeaten when it comes to merch. From the Stealie skull logo to Bertha to the dancing bears, the Grateful Dead have enough iconic images for three separate bands.
Deadheads are spoiled for choice when it comes to gifts and merch — the band’s designs are frequently licensed to designers and retailers, including everything from salt shakers to shoes (and of course, ice cream). With the legendary band celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, there’s a ton of new, unique Deadhead merch for fans to pick up.
We rounded up the best Grateful Dead merch and gifts, from officially licensed apparel emblazoned with the Stealie (a.k.a. the Dead’s iconic skull and lightning bolt logo) to books, blankets, and more. These options would make great gifts, and if you are a die-hard Deadhead, consider picking up one of these pieces for yourself.
The Grateful Dead by Jim Marshall
Jim Marshall is one of the most storied music photographers, snapping iconic images like Hendrix’s guitar on fire to Johnny Cash’s outstretched middle finger. This book compiles photos from Marshall’s archive, including some never-before-seen images.
NBA x Grateful Dead x Knicks Skull
T-shirt brand Homage collaborated with the NBA, NFL, and MLB on a line of Grateful Dead-inspired t-shirts, including this throwback Knicks tee.
Verve Coffee Grateful Dead Morning Brew
Like the Grateful Dead, Verve Coffee hails from Northern California, and they teamed up with the band on this organic whole bean Ethiopian coffee.
Blues For Allah 50th Anniversary
The Grateful Dead’s experimental Blues For Allah is getting a 50th anniversary release this year, including an Amazon-exclusive edition pressed on green vinyl. This edition will be released on Sept. 12.
Grateful Dead Unisex-Adult Roll The Dice Hoodie
Part of Amazon’s Grateful Dead merch drop, this sweatshirt features a “roll the dice” motif inspired by the In the Dark cut “Throwing Stones.”
Grateful Dead SYF Roses Basketball T-Shirt
Love basketball and the Dead? This t-shirt combines the classic Stealie logo with a basketball design and Lakers-inspired lettering. It was designed as part of the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary celebration.
Cropped Grateful Dead Graphic Tee
This Abercrombie t-shirt features a Vegas-inspired design from the band’s 1993 Sin City run of shows.
Grateful Dead 60 Years So Far T-Shirt
If you’re looking for a shirt that specifically commemorates the band’s 60th, this washed gray t-shirt features the band’s wordmark and “60 Years So Far,” as well as the number 60 on the back.
Dead in the Kitchen: The Official Grateful Dead Cookbook
This officially-authorized cookbook is chock full of vegetarian recipes. Rolling Stone put it to the test, finding the buffalo tofu “incredibly tasty.”
Grateful Dead Baseball Bears Sweatshirt
The Grateful Dead and baseball are a winning combination, and this sweatshirt combines the Stealie and Dancing Bears logo with a baseball in the middle.
Grateful Dead Riverfront Coliseum
Whether or not you were at the show, Homage’s Grateful Dead t-shirt commemorates the April 8, 1989, Cincinnati show and has a worn, lived-in design.
Retrospec x Grateful Dead Beach Cruiser
The Grateful Dead and baseball are a winning combination, and this sweatshirt combines the Stealie and Dancing Bears logo with a baseball in the middle.
Knockaround Grateful Dead Roses
Knockaround’s affordable sunglasses have a decidedly easy-going vibe, and their new collaboration with Grateful Dead includes everything from prescription frames with dancing bears to ski goggles featuring Stealie. The Fort Knocks are a familiar Wayfarer style frame, and feature roses and dancing skeletons, with a matching soft sleeve and storage box.
Phil Lesh — ‘Searching For The Sound’
The death of Phil Lesh last year was a monumental loss for Grateful Dead fans, and while his legacy lives on in the music, he also committed his story to a bestselling memoir, Searching for the Sound. Originally published in 2006, the book makes a great gift for any fan of the Dead in your life. The book is also available on Audible, with narration by Lesh.
‘Dead Style’ by Mordechai Rubenstein
Deadhead style goes designer in this photo-rich book penned by menswear expert Mordechai Rubenstein, who examines Grateful Dead’s influence in the worlds of streetwear and luxury fashion. At a time when tie-dye has been sent down the runways by the likes of Balenciaga, Burberry, Louis Vuitton, Off-White, Saint Laurent, and others, this book showcases wardrobe inspiration for the next generation of the jam band’s stylish superfans.
Grateful Dead ‘Dead Set’ Vinyl
The Dead are known for their legendary live performances, so a live album is a good gift to buy (as long as they don’t already have it). Dead Set, originally released in 1981, got a Barnes & Noble-exclusive pressing on “Orange Crush” vinyl.
Grateful Dead x Slowtide Beach Towel
Slowtide, a premium towel brand, has an entire collection centered around the Grateful Dead, featuring beach and kitchen towels with iconography like Bertha, the dancing bears, and Stealie. The beach towels are made from 100% Oeko-Tex standard cotton and feature a handy hanging loop.
Grateful Dead x Hedley & Bennett Apron
Whether you’re buying a gift for the grilling pro in your family or want to upgrade your kitchen accessories, Hedley & Bennett’s apron collaboration with the Grateful Dead is a must-have for any Deadhead. The premium apron line is an officially licensed collaboration and come with a variety of designs, from the dancing bear pattern to a minimal denim style, complete with tie-dye pockets.
Grateful Dead x Blazy Susan Metal Rolling Tray
Unsurprisingly, there’s tons of great Grateful Dead merch on Etsy. Seller Blazy Susan has a large selection of premium smoking accessories like papers, trays, and cones. This rolling tray features a Stealie logo, and other designs include Bertha and the dancing bears.
Ben Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream
What better way to sweeten any Deadhead’s day than with Ben & Jerry’s most famous flavor? It’s infused with cherries and fudge flakes and made with fair-trade, non-GMO, and cage-free ingredients.
