Mid-Month Virtual Series: John Curl and the history of the Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound"
John Hughes | Published on 3/28/2025
On March 12th, we rode the airwaves back in time, following the cosmic trail of three kindred spirits who knew the way. Through the warm glow of a Zoom screen, the Wall of Sound rose again—designed in dreams, built by visionaries, and felt in the bones of every show.
Brian Anderson opened the portal with a reading from his new book, Loud and Clear, setting the stage for a winding, free-flowing conversation with fellow travelers David Gans and John Curl. Together, they painted scenes in sound—“a box of rain” filled with memory, music, and the heartbeat of the Grateful Dead. They spoke of the journey, of building something bigger than themselves, of catching lightning in a bottle—and letting it fly. It was “the music never stopped,” and for a moment, neither did time.
So here it is—a gift for your head. A trip worth taking. “Come hear Uncle John’s Band” as they tell the tale. Just press play, and let it ripple through the still water.
David Gan's class is available here, and his books and music here.
Brian Anderson's book preorders are available here, and info on his appearance June 22nd in Corte Madera here.
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