Make plans to join us in the shop on Wednesday, September 23rd at 4:00 PM for an afternoon of music and fun celebrating the release of John Brackett’s Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars. Brackett will read from and briefly discuss his new book before signing copies for attendees. He’ll be joined by Rich Mahan who will perform a few Grateful Dead songs for the occasion. You can read more about Brackett’s upcoming event at Grimey’s on our site here.

Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars tells the story of how one song transformed the popular legacy of one of rock’s most iconic musical groups. John Brackett traces the history of the song “Touch of Grey,” beginning with songwriter Robert Hunter’s lyrical sketches and the Grateful Dead’s earliest live arrangements, culminating in the group’s popular renaissance following the release of “Touch of Grey” and the album In the Dark in the summer of 1987. Brackett details how particular recording technologies, notable musical characteristics, modes of attending and listening, and the mechanics of the contemporary music industry shaped this defining moment in the group’s career. Drawing on extensive archival research, Touch of Grey examines how the band and their label worked to produce a hit record, a dynamic music video, and an effective promotional campaign that would propel the Grateful Dead from a group with a devoted cult following to become a pop culture phenomenon.

John Brackett’s Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars is available to preorder here in paperback. Preorders for local pickup may be claimed at Grimey’s on Wednesday, September 23rd, the day of our event with John Brackett. Preorders for mail order will be signed by Brackett and will ship out after our event (starting on 9/18).

Preorders are limited to a total of two total (2) per customer / household. All who place preorders in advance will receive an email with preorder pickup and event details on or by the day before our John Brackett event.

*Preorders for store pickup will be held for three months after release date. Please pick up your Touch of Grey, or How the Grateful Dead Became Pop Stars preorder no later than January 23rd, 2027.