Bootlegging whiskey, acid tests, grass, and songs about murder. The origins of the Grateful Dead are fascinating and not what most people think. Born out of the tradition of “old, weird America”; bluegrass, jug band music and deadly folk tales, the Grateful Dead, as young adults, were into some strange stuff and we are all better for it. The band would go on to create their very own “new, weird America” due in part to the cultural impact they would have over their near 40-year career. But their connection to the traditional music that spawned them was due in large part to their harmonica player, singer, and keyboardist, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, who lived “the life” so authentically that he died at the age of just 27. This is the Grateful Dead origin story and the Ballad of Pigpen.

To view the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠.

This episode was originally published on October 13, 2020.

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The Grateful Dead became one of the most influential bands of all time and propelled themselves with improvisation, LSD and an ethos of “freedom”. Through drug busts and CIA surveillance, they thrived and created one of the largest, most fervent and commercially consequential fan bases of all time. Freedom, LSD and improvised blues in the key of bummed the fuck out on this episode of Disgraceland.

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This episode was originally published on April 16, 2019.

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This week in the After Party, Jake shares his thoughts on the start of the Diddy trial and (of course) takes your calls, emails, texts and DMs..

Next week, we're presenting our episode on legendary artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jake wants to know: Which musician also excelled in a second art from or sport? Tell Jake at 617-906-6638, ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠, or on socials @disgracelandpod.

For more great Disgraceland episodes, dive into our extensive archive, including such episodes as:

Episode 20 - Marvin Gaye

Episode 193 - The Replacements

Episode 212 - Elvis Presley & Johnny Ace

Episode 72 - The Ramones

To hear an extended version of the After Party and unlock access to a monthly exclusive episode and ad free listening, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership.⁠⁠⁠

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1984. Prince is at his commercial and creative peak. "Purple Rain" – the album, the soundtrack, and the film – is a sensation. But that's when the backlash sets in. That's when Prince's public persona sours, thanks in part to a tell-all story sold by a former bodyguard for a big drug-money payday. All the while, the world is sinking further into chaos and disorder; guns, gangs, murder, AIDS, earthquakes. In these dark times, can Prince find purpose ... and a musical revolution?

Prince's "Sign o' the Times" was a socially conscious record that addressed contemporary issues head on. What artist best met their moment? Tell Jake at 617-906-6638, [email protected], or on socials @disgracelandpod.

To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠⁠⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠⁠.

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Few pop artists achieved the dizzying creative and career highs that Prince did. An artist who famously stayed away from drugs and most anything that would cause him to lose control, Prince was aided in his legendary musical output by a small army of creative alter egos, who helped him maintain control and helped him reign supreme as one of the greatest pop musicians of all time, until of course, all control was lost.

This episode was originally published on June 9, 2020.

To view the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠.

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.

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Slick Rick has one of the most iconic voices in hip hip history. His style is completely his own, and his success owes as much to his delivery as it does to his hustle. Slick Rick worked hard to get to the top, and once he made it he was nearly cut down by drugs and violence - violence inflicted upon him by someone from his inner circle. Listen to hear how Slick Rick fought back and continued his flow.

This episode was originally released on June 11, 2019.

To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠.

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This week in the After Party, Jake hears from you about the Mount Rushmore of Guitarists and opines on a recent performance from David Lee Roth.

Next week, we're presenting part 2 of the Prince story, and Jake wants to know: Which artist best represented their times? Tell Jake at 617-906-6638, ⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠, or on socials @disgracelandpod.

For more great Disgraceland episodes, dive into our extensive archive, including such episodes as:

Episode 85 - Pantera

Episode 133 - Jimi Hendrix

Episode 173 - Public Enemy

To hear an extended version of the After Party and unlock access to a monthly exclusive episode and ad free listening, become a Disgraceland All Access member at ⁠⁠disgracelandpod.com/membership.⁠⁠

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In 1985, David Lee Roth was out and Sammy Hagar was in. One of the biggest lead singer shakeups in music history led to some of the biggest sales of Van Halen's career. It also led to more drama, to Lamborghinis and Ferraris racing through the streets of Los Angeles, to military assault vehicles storming Beverly Hills, to crazed fans and loaded guns – and at the middle of it all, a modern-day warrior, a man with a code, trying to orchestrate his own survival.

If there were a Mount Rushmore of guitarists, which four players should have their faces on it? Tell Jake at 617-906-6638, [email protected], or on socials @disgracelandpod. Remember, you can only choose four!

To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠⁠.

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On the backs of one of rock ‘n roll’s greatest innovators and one of its greatest ringmasters, Van Halen made some of the greatest music of the late ‘70s and early ‘80s. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen chased the perfect sound while lead singer David Lee Roth chased the next party. They were also ruthless when it came to protecting the unique thing they had created. Nothing was allowed to stand in their way. Not bullies, bootleggers, cynical guitar manufacturers, record producers – even the members of Van Halen themselves.

This episode was originally published on March 26, 2024.

To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠.

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In part two of the Notorious B.I.G. story we see the young star trying to deal with life after the death of his rival (and one-time friend), Tupac Shakur. We also get a glimpse into the motivation behind the making of his final album, the aptly titled, Life After Death and get deep into the mystery behind his still unsolved murder.

This episode was originally published on May 25, 2021.

To see the full list of contributors, see the show notes at ⁠www.disgracelandpod.com⁠.

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