We are proud to return to our roots and use our summer’s biggest issue’s cover story to celebrate Jerry Garcia’s life and legacy on the eve of what would have been his 80th birthday. In this very special edition of Relix, we explore the Grateful Dead guitarist’s long and lasting shadow through conversation with some of his most notable contemporaries and friends, including the visual artist who created Europe ‘72’s iconic imagery, Stanley Mouse, and percussionist Zakir Hussain, who jammed with Garcia for the first time a half-century ago and continues to push boundaries and unite people across the world through his work with Mickey Hart and the reunited Planet Drum, and more that were there from the very beginning, until the very end (Though the music never stops).

In this special issue, we commemorate the 80th birthday of the late Garcia (1942-1995) with a Special Collector’s Edition honoring his vast and vibrant legacy. At 80 pages long, we honor and memorialize Garcia with a collection of personal tributes by family, friends, collaborators and musicians. This issue’s cover story also contains previously unreleased and rarely seen photographs of Garcia and the Grateful Dead and is accompanied by a limited edition organic cotton t-shirt featuring the never-before-seen photograph of Garcia by Ron Rakow from the cover of the July/August 2022 Relix issue.

In our cover story, celebrating Garcia’s life, we speak with Justin Kreutzmann about his work directing a documentary about Garcia, who was one of his early film mentors and introduced him to the sublet nuances of films like Blue Velvet. “Cadillac” Ron Rakow, an early member of the Grateful Dead management team, also chimes in to share his perspective and the incredible story of first meeting Garcia, watching the Dead and quitting his job two days later to commit to the incredible world they were about to create and care for. The cover story also includes an interview with Trixie Garcia, who reflects on the 80th anniversary of her father’s birth, his ongoing legacy and the later years they spent together just being in the moment and family. Additionally, and fascinatingly longtime bandmate Melvin Seals shares his thoughts on performing Garcia’s music with Colorado Symphony in a piece that shares remarks from conductor Scott O’Neil and guitarist Tom Hamilton (who also explores Jerry’s music in Joe Russo’s Almost Dead).

In addition to Stanley Mouse and tabla master Zakir Hussain’s own unique impressions, this commemorative issue also includes interviews with contemporary acts like CAAMP, IDLES, Kendall Street Company, Magic Beans, and Blu DeTiger, as well as spotlights on live music stars, including Kenny Loggins, Black Pumas’ Adrian Quesada, Anaïs Mitchell, Marcus King, Maren Morris, Michael Franti, Dawes, and more.

Anyone subscribed to Relix as of Aug. 9, 2022, will receive this issue as a part of their regular subscription. The issue and t-shirt can also be purchased online at the Relix Marketplace. Subscribe now here.

“To imagine [Jerry] as an 80-year-old guy, I think he would still have that magic in his eyes, that inspired look on his face. He’d still be seeking out those things that turn him on.” – Trixie Garcia