Friend of the Devil

The Zoo Crew is spinning "Friend of the Devil" by the Grateful Dead from their iconic 1970 album American Beauty, and Zoo Freaks are in for a treat with this beloved track. This song, one of the most covered in the Dead’s catalog, was originally penned for the New Riders of the Purple Sage, a country-rock outfit that included Jerry Garcia on pedal steel. In a 1978 interview, lyricist Robert Hunter shared that he had the song mostly written when he, Garcia, and New Riders’ John “Marmaduke” Dawson refined it together. Dawson suggested replacing a repetitive line, “It looks like water but it tastes like wine,” with the punchier “A friend of the devil is a friend of mine,” which Hunter credited to Dawson’s insight. The song’s outlaw narrative, set to a sprightly acoustic melody, follows a fugitive on the run, a theme that resonates in Dead classics like “Sugaree” and “Jack Straw.” Its first public performance was on March 20, 1970, at the Capitol Theatre in Port Chester, New York, just months before American Beauty’s release.

Another fascinating tidbit comes from the Grateful Dead’s official site, where Hunter once posted the song’s handwritten first draft, revealing its evolution. The Good Ol’ Grateful Deadcast podcast, in an episode dedicated to the song, explores its creation with guests like mandolinist David Grisman, who played on the American Beauty version, and engineer Stephen Barncard. They discuss a never-before-heard demo reel and scrapped session tapes from the album, released as The Angel’s Share. On X, the band celebrated the song’s 50th anniversary in 2020, calling it a “bluegrass-laden ‘story’ song” and noting its status as possibly the most beloved in their repertoire. Covers by artists like Lyle Lovett, Tom Petty, and Counting Crows highlight its universal appeal, with Lovett’s version on the 1991 Deadicated tribute album often cited as a fan favorite for capturing the song’s campfire vibe.

The Grateful Dead began in 1965 in Palo Alto, California, emerging from the Bay Area’s vibrant counterculture. Originally called the Warlocks, the band—Jerry Garcia (guitar, vocals), Bob Weir (guitar, vocals), Phil Lesh (bass, vocals), Ron “Pigpen” McKernan (keyboards, harmonica, vocals), and Bill Kreutzmann (drums)—drew from folk, blues, country, and jug band music. They adopted their name after Garcia found “Grateful Dead” in a dictionary, a term referring to a folktale motif of a spirit repaying a debt. Joined later by Mickey Hart (drums) and lyricist Robert Hunter, they became pioneers of psychedelic rock, blending genres and earning a devoted following known as Deadheads through their improvisational live performances. Their early gigs at Ken Kesey’s Acid Tests, communal events fueled by LSD, cemented their role in the 1960s hippie movement. By 1970, with albums like Workingman’s Dead and American Beauty, they shifted toward Americana, showcasing tighter songwriting and vocal harmonies influenced by friends like Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Fans can connect with the Grateful Dead through their official website, which offers music, merchandise, and archival content like the Dave’s Picks live series. Their Facebook page shares updates on releases and events, while Instagram features vintage photos and fan art. On X, the band engages with Deadheads, posting about milestones like American Beauty’s 53rd anniversary in 2023. Fan communities thrive online, with sites like Deadheadland offering news and forums, and the Grateful Dead Fans Facebook Group fostering discussions among thousands of members. The Relix magazine website also serves as a hub for Deadhead culture, with articles and concert reviews keeping the spirit alive.