Jerry Garcia was born on Aug. 1, 1942 and died on Aug. 9, 1995.

Despite missing the middle finger of his right hand (it was accidentally chopped off by his brother when he was four), Garcia went on to co-found one of the most important rock bands of all time, the Grateful Dead. More than forty years ago, the Dead were the house band for the Summer of Love. Today, they're still beloved, with their music performed by former members Bob Weir (Rat Dog), Phil Lesh (and Friends), Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann, Further, and countless cover bands.

The jam-band scene primarily grew out of the Grateful Dead's improvisational music, counterculture foundation and relentless touring. When Garcia succumbed to drug addiction (he passed away in a rehab facility) in 1995, the doors opened for a brigade of bands influenced by the Dead.

Born and raised in San Francisco, Garcia was the consummate musician, versed in all styles from bluegrass to jazz to psychedelia. He recorded more than 20 albums with the Dead and dozens of others under his own name and with the New Riders of the Purple Sage, Old and In the Way and David Grisman. His elliptical guitar-playing style is often copied, but seldom equaled.

Garcia was a true American master and his presence continues to be felt in the music of so many he inspired.

Photo by Baron Wolman