Words by: Olivia Viana The Grateful Dead have one of the most devoted fanbases ever, and we're going to say that the most influential members of this fanbase are the tapers. These fellow Deadheads went to as many concerts as they could to record live performances, as well as to help capture the life and improvisational wizardry of the Grateful Dead. Not to be mistaken for bootleggers, these tapers were invited by the band to record the performances for the sole purpose of recording history, and not for profit. Taping and trading became a Grateful Dead sub-culture, and if you’re a Deadhead, chances are you’ve listened to at least one of the band’s live recordings. Today marks a huge moment in history. On October 27, 1984, the Grateful Dead held their first show with a designated Tapers Section. So today and everyday, join us in being grateful for the tapers!

1. They’ve given us an almost-endless collection of music to listen to

With all the dedicated tapers out there, they left Deadheads with an enormous amount of music to sink their teeth and ears into. Luckily we now have many of these recordings readily available through online archives, such as archive.org, which also provide detailed information about each recording. After we’ve jammed to each studio album, we have these extraordinary tapes and wealth of history to turn to. These live recordings are also a different way of experiencing the band, and allow us to fully enjoy their live repertoire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUobR1J7-WM

2. They helped to create the Deadhead community as we know it

Sharing tapes is a key part of being a full-on Deadhead, much like exchanging secret recipes. Before music became became digital, fans had to seek each other out for their tapes, and still do to this day, even with the convenience of modern technology. The tapers also went to as many concerts as they possibly could, so they were very much a part of the immediate Grateful Dead community, as well. The tape culture helped to bring the community of fans together, and resulted in one of the most dedicated fanbases that’s just as strong today as it was in the band’s heyday.

3. They went to great lengths to record the best sound

Taping was very much like an art form. Tapers had to consider mic placement, what equipment to use, and what elements of the performance they wanted to capture on their tapes. Eventually in 1984, the band gave tapers their own designated area to record in, but before then they had to carefully consider where they would set up for each show. Beyond the actual effort spent recording the performances, these fans often had to travel from far and wide with all their equipment to get to the concerts. That's dedication!

4. They took part in making Grateful Dead history

Tapers are some of the most significant members of the Grateful Dead community, and their importance was eventually acknowledged by the band. Being that the band was one of the few to allow fans to record their live shows for the purpose of preserving history and sharing their music with the community, the tapers had an active role in recording the band’s history and secured each live recording as a part of the band’s musical catalog.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIrabjcHmEU

5. Their tapes help us travel back in time

If you were one of the lucky ones who got to see the Grateful Dead in their early days, chances are you’ve wished at some point that you could go back to that concert and relive it all over again. And if you aren’t, you’ve without a doubt craved witnessing the band in the 70’s. Oh, those 70's shows! In both cases, the tapes allow all of us to revisit the Grateful Dead and a time of peace, love, and music!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YCxsqkS0e8

6. They helped to create a vibrant sub-culture that still exists today

Being fully devoted to a band was a new cultural phenomenon that was beginning to occur in the 60's. The Grateful Dead were a part of this wave, and fans travelled from all over to experience their live shows. This dedicated love for the band and their music was also rooted in the taping culture, which treated each show as an important event to be preserved and relived over and over again. With the help of the tapers, music was no longer just a source of entertainment, but became a more significant and meaningful part of people’s everyday lives.

7. They helped to preserve the Grateful Dead’s legacy

Without tapers, many of the Grateful Dead’s greatest live moments would have been lost in history. Since these individuals would often attend and record hundreds of Grateful Dead concerts in their lifetime, there is an abundant amount of the band's history that has been preserved through the years. Over time, people might have ended up forgetting the historical importance and live impact of the band. Thanks to these devoted fans, the Grateful Dead will remain known as one of the best live bands, and one of the most influential in rock music history. Not to mention, fans will be able to experience the band live for years to come, which is one of the greatest gifts that the tapers have given the world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YslqWNFGoM