5 days ago
Adoring Fans Remember Beloved Rock Icon on His Birthday: 'Miss You Every Single Day'
Adoring Fans Remember Beloved Rock Icon on His Birthday: 'Miss You Every Single Day' originally appeared on Parade.
For Grateful Dead fans the world over, today is particularly meaningful. Not only was the late, great Jerry Garcia born on August 1, 1942 — but because his tragic death in 1995 took place on August 9, Deadheads have celebrated the iconic musician's birthday as the start of "Jerry Week" in the decades since. And this year's Jerry Week might be the most significant yet, as 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead's start as one of the world's most beloved rock bands of all time.
The legendary rock star's family marked the occasion on Instagram, sharing a photo of Garcia playing guitar onstage along with several sweet memories and exciting announcements for fans.
"Happy Birthday, Jerry! Your presence is felt every single day," the caption read, continuing, "Our dad was a magical person whose light has only grown brighter with time. It's been fulfilling to see Jerry's life and music continue to inspire a new generation of fans; may they become freedom-loving artists in their own right."
The post went on to remember Garcia as "everything San Francisco. From the tough street kid in the Excelsior, to the art school student in North Beach, to the freedom-loving Haight Street 'Captain Trips.' He was a lover of tech, science, and progressive ideas. This city was his home. Today, we are honored that San Francisco is naming a street after Jerry. We're proud that the city recognizes his contribution to the art and culture of this place he loved so much."
Garcia's family also mentioned the annual free concert at Jerry Garcia Amphitheater in McLaren Park, adding, "and this weekend, remnants of the original band, which has become the most successful tribute band in history, will keep the flame lit, playing Jerry's music on the hallowed ground where thousands of heartbroken fans gathered 30 years ago for his memorial.""May the wound be healed by dancing feet, astral travels, and lots of hugs! Keep calm and Jerry on!" the post concluded.
Fans in the comments were quick to share their love for Garcia, with one person writing, "No music touches my soul, heart, and being, the way Jerry and the Dead do. Thank you Jerry, thank you Dead Heads everywhere for sharing in this love and light!"
"Jerry takes the edge off just enough to make life bearable," a second commenter admitted, with another adding, "Miss you every single day."
"Happy Birthday Jerry! Feeling your presence in SF!" wrote someone else.
As the San Francisco Examiner reported, Jerry Garcia Street (a one-block stretch of Harrington Street, where Garcia lived as a child), will be formally dedicated today, while Friends of Jerry Garcia Amphitheater, a volunteer group that schedules events at McLaren Park's stage, is hosting a day of musical performances on Saturday (the same day as the second of three Dead & Company shows in Golden Gate Park celebrating the Grateful Dead's 60th anniversary).
Adoring Fans Remember Beloved Rock Icon on His Birthday: 'Miss You Every Single Day' first appeared on Parade on Aug 1, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 1, 2025, where it first appeared.
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