Tonight, Sunday, November 12th, Dead & Company will begin their 2017 Fall Tour with their first of two performances at Madison Square Garden over the next few days. The band–comprised of original Grateful Dead members Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, and Bill Kreutzmann, as well as frequent Dead-adjacent keyboardist Jeff Chimenti, decorated former Allmans bassist Oteil Burbridge, and talented yet somewhat controversial guitarist John Mayer–is coming off a great summer tour, and beginning to truly gel and excel as a unit after roughly two years together.

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While there are still those who don’t love Mayer filling the hallowed Jerry Garcia “role” in this new band lineup, it’s safe to say that he has won over a large majority of the Dead’s famously skeptical fan base. Just as much as he’s earned the respect of fans through his impressive playing and clearly studious approach to the material, he’s also made an impression on the Dead “Universe” with his humility, gratitude, and genuine appreciation for the significance of the role he’s adopted.

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In a post on his Instagram page ahead of the band’s tour opener, Mayer spoke about Jerry Garcia, the profound impact Garcia has had on the course of his life, and his undying gratitude and respect for the late legend and his legacy. Read the post below:

We’re about to begin what I believe in my heart will be the best tour so far for @deadandcompany. Something is definitely spinning up in the air around us. But as I sit at the end of my bed with my guitar in my hands I feel like I need to post this. I’m only here as an interpreter of a master. This band has developed a soul all its own but I play in constant emotional, psychological and musical deference to Jerry Garcia. I suppose I thought it would become easier each tour to stand on that stage and go reaching for that sound and those colors, but it in some ways it gets harder – the deeper I go into the music, the more I realize what it deserves. Just know that with every show we play, I’ll never forget why it is I’m standing there. This is the great ongoing privilege of my life. See ya round campus. ⚡️

A post shared by johnmayer (@johnmayer) on

When Dead & Company got their start two years ago, people questioned Mayer’s intentions, questioned his appreciation for the mantle he was taking up, questioned whether he understood just how important it was to so many people out there. But those questions are long gone. John gets “it”, and we’re glad that he’s here.

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For a full list of upcoming dates on Dead & Company’s 2017 Fall Tour, you can head to the band’s website.

[Cover photo: Garcia – Herb Greene; Mayer – Phierce Photo by Keith Griner; Instagram: @phiercephoto]