Earlier this month, the Grateful Dead rolled out a new feature via Instagram stories where fans were encouraged to share photos or videos of their pet (or wild) cats while their 1969 original single, “China Cat Sunflower” played alongside it. The filter allowed for the featured subject to be shown wearing a crown of flowers to make for a fun way to share images of adorable pet cats while promoting the band’s new 50th-anniversary reissue of their heavily-psychedelic Aoxomoxoa LP.
Many of the submitted videos were reposted on the Grateful Dead’s Instagram story, and singer/guitarist Bob Weir even joined in on the fun by sharing posts of his own pets. Those fan submissions are now the featured imagery for the band’s new music video for “China Cat”, which was a staple in the Dead’s live setting and a fan-favorite from the early years until Jerry Garcia‘s death in 1995.
Watch the new feline-friendly video for “China Cat Sunflower” below. Look close enough and you may even spot the Instagram story submission from Weir.
Grateful Dead – “China Cat Sunflower” (The Video)
[Video: Grateful Dead]
Weir is currently on tour with Dead & Company, where the classic “China Cat Sunflower” > “I Know You Rider” combination could appear into the setlist at any show. Head to the band’s website for tickets and tour info for upcoming performances.