Searching for the Sound

My Life with the Grateful Dead

By: Phil Lesh

Narrated by: Phil Lesh

Length: 5 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Phil is an inspiration

Amazing book and an amazing inside look of the Grateful Dead’s true reason for making music, that is usually hidden by the drug culture that surrounded their later years. Phil is a true musician, humanitarian, and overall truth seeker. His view on spirituality, music and life itself are a true inspiration and mind opening. If you are a musician Phil talks a lot about the Grateful Dead’s process and philosophy on their music making and their ground breaking music technology.

A peek into the inner workings of Phil

I always viewed Phil, after Jerry, as the co-leader of the band and in the early years 68-73, you can hear how those two as a duo, lead the band. This was very concise with some good insight into the fateful last years of the Dead and Garcia’s demise. Aside from that, I enjoyed hearing about Phil’s formative years in music too as well as his overall view of how he sees performing music - especially live, which is what the Dead was all about: being in the moment.
I saw them 89-95 (always there for the music first and not the party like so many others) including the second ever performance of “Unbroken Chain”. I saw some great shows as well as some truly awful ones. It’s apparent now why that was but that also to Phil, once they had to start playing stadium shows regularly in the 80s, he lost some of the magic of playing that he enjoyed in the better days (no hard drugs)of the Dead. The inner turmoil of the band also
added to that. Luckily for him, he was able to regain some of that feeling and still continues to with many versions of Phil and Friends.

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.

quintessential dead book.

loved it. wish it was longer. great read for a Dead fan or any music fan. there is version of box of rain at the end from a show I attended. great great great. looking forward to seeing you, Phil in portchester in July and October

We Are Everywhere & We Are Love 🙏🏽

If you ever went to a Grateful Dead show and looked at the faces around you you will understand the joy that was created between The Band & The Collective Colorful Gyrating souls that were brought together for one common purpose to forget your troubles and dance, Forget your weakness and dance, forget your sorrows and dance! Phil did a great job with this book he Bared his soul and gave insight to what was happening behind the stage behind the music and behind the eyes of the bandmembers. Enclosing the only thing there is to say is God Bless Grateful Dead