Searching for the Sound

My Life with the Grateful Dead

By: Phil Lesh

Narrated by: Phil Lesh

Phil Lesh first met Jerry Garcia in 1959 in the clubs of Palo Alto, California. At Garcia's suggestion, Lesh learned to play the electric bass and joined him in a new group that blended R&B, country, and rock 'n' roll with an experimental fervor never before heard.

In time for the Grateful Dead's 40th anniversary, Phil Lesh offers the first behind-the-scenes history of the Dead. Lesh chronicles how the Dead's signature sound emerged, flowed, and swelled to reach millions of devoted fans, from their first gigs at Frenchy's Bikini-A-Go-Go for an audience of three, to the legendary Acid Tests, to packed stadiums around the world.

In San Francisco during the Summer of Love, at Woodstock, Altamont, and the Great Pyramids of Giza, the Grateful Dead have been at the center of some of rock's defining moments. Phil Lesh recounts what it's been like to live at the heart of this whirlwind, impressing Miles Davis and Dizzy Gillespie, sharing the stage with Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin, and the Rolling Stones. Lesh describes what it was like to storm heaven night after night, and the price he and others have paid. Bad management, drug addictions, depression, and insecurities persistently plagued the band members and would culminate with the most tragic blow of all, the death of Jerry Garcia.

Searching for the Sound is a ruthlessly honest look inside one of the greatest American bands.

©2005 Phil Lesh (P)2005 Simon & Schuster, Inc. AUDIOWORKS is an imprint of Simon & Schuster Audio Division, Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Critic reviews

"It's hard to say which of these miracles is more profound: the fact that after three decades with the Grateful Dead, Lesh has any memories of the experience whatsoever, or that he's been able to consolidate them into a single volume of less than 20,000 pages." (The New York Times Book Review)

awesome, just wish it wasn't abridged...

If you could sum up Searching for the Sound in three words, what would they be?

Phil tells it

What did you like best about this story?

The early years, from Phil's pov.

Have you listened to any of Phil Lesh’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Not as thunderous as his bass performances, but great all the same.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Phil lesh tells his story. Nuff said.

This is a Must read for any Dead fan!!

Seeing the full experience of The Grateful Dead, through the eyes of a full time member was incredible. Phil Lesh is more than a terrific musician, he's a great human being in general and his view on music from every angle is aspiring for any musician.

I love Phil!

An incredible first hand look into the life and times of the Grateful Dead. Phil is a phenomenal narrator.

I love you

Thank you. I love you. I will continue to do my best with what you have taught and continue to teach me.

Excellent abridged version!

Where does Searching for the Sound rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I've read lots of biographies and autobiographies---and I absolutely love it when the author is the narrator. Especially for this story--it needs to be told by the man who was there. You could feel the emotion in his voice. And the love. Great audiobook!

What other book might you compare Searching for the Sound to and why?

I listened to Billy K's "The Deal" before I listened to Searching for the Sound. The Deal was a lot longer and had a lot more detail (and lots of heartwarming stories) but it wasn't read by Billy, so that was a bit of a bummer. Either way, it was a nice to get two different perspectives from people who were actually a part of the band that I love so much! Both books are a must read!!!

What does Phil Lesh bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

His voice! And his Phil perspective. I read the unabridged book first and thought this abridged version was great because it was read by Phil himself. Phil sounds like less of a douche when you're listening to him tell the story. :)

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes--listened to it on a car ride on the way to a show--it's short-just over 5 hours, so it's easy to listen to in one sitting.

What a long strange trip it’s been

This is incredibly well done, I was shocked at the length but this is so perfect in its context and not drawn out or overdone! I was a huge greatful dead fan as a teen in the 90’s now in my 30’s this reaccount brings me to my knees what a wonderful band ....thank you for everything

What a treat

Phil Zone in effect. A great listen with music sprinkled in! Definitely worth a precious credit

Musicians and fans of guitar, 60s will love it

Great story, written by and told by Phil Lesh. From the author's childhood - growing up playing trumpet and violin in bands, through his failed entry into the Army, flunking out of college and being down on his luck, this is chalked full of great stories. The time Phil first hears Jerry Garcia play, stories about Neal Cassidy, Woodstock, Altamont, jamming at the Egyptian Pyramids. It's all great, and it's all firsthand stuff (from the guy that was there). There are heart wrenching stories about the demise of the Dead - alcohol, drugs, women. The best stories, though, are about the music. The way the Dead invented the "jam band" sound. How they would play off each other through tension/resolution and call and response. It's a must read for musicians, deadheads, and fans of the 60s.

A Heart Warming Devotional

Phil brings so much love and devotion to his story depicting his life with The Grateful Dead. Every time I think I know enough about this band, it's books like this one that prove me wrong and remind me that I'm only beginning my journey of knowledge. Phil is a loving human being with passion and kindness beyond words. I absolutely adored this book and appreciate everything Phil offered.

Phil's Surprising Story

I was very pleasantly surprised at Phil's articulation in retelling his experiences with the band. His sensitivity in describing Jerry's passing and the thrill he got from playing with the Dead was related in such a way that I could feel what is was like to have been there. It was also thrilling to hear about the personal sides of the band members when playing or just hanging out together. Hearing about Jerry's cat learning to fetch or swimming with his Newfoundland dogs was something I never heard before. I loved hearing about the bands evolution with each new keyboard player. All in all I loved this book and felt like Phil was talking to me alone.