The Grateful Dead’s influence reaches across many aspects of American society. Among the captivated fans is reality TV mogul Andy Cohen.
During the annual ‘Days Between’, NPR Music dives into the reasons people are drawn to the Grateful Dead and how they maintain the band’s legacy. The phrase ‘Weir Everywhere’—a play on guitarist Bob Weir’s last name—captures how widespread the band’s following is in the US. Despite disbanding over 30 years ago, the Grateful Dead’s music persists through archived performances, new groups like Dead & Company led by remaining members, and numerous tribute bands. Deadheads, including Andy Cohen, continue to attend shows and keep the music alive.
Andy Cohen’s Appreciation for the Grateful Dead
Andy Cohen, known for hosting Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen and producing the Real Housewives series, is a prominent figure in modern television. He is also a devoted fan of the Grateful Dead. Over the last decade, Cohen has often been seen at concerts for Dead & Company, featuring Bob Weir and John Mayer. Cohen’s connection to the band goes back much further.
In a conversation with NPR Music, Cohen discussed his history with the Grateful Dead. Cohen became a fan in high school, around 1985, when a wave of interest in classic rock bands like Pink Floyd and the Dead hit his friend group. He fondly recalls attending his first concert in the summer of 1986, driving his 1972 Buick Skylark convertible from Saint Louis to Alpine Valley, Wisconsin. Despite sleeping in the parking lot, the experience left Cohen hooked.
Reconnecting with the Music
Although Cohen stopped attending concerts when his life grew busier in the early ’90s, he never let go of the music. He continued listening to his cassette tapes from the ’90s and attended Dead cover band performances. In 2015, Cohen attended the Fare Thee Well shows with John Mayer. This marked a significant reconnection with the music, reinvigorating his passion. Dead & Company’s stadium tours provided a renewed opportunity for Cohen to actively engage with the music and the community.
A Unique Connection
Cohen acknowledges that his personal relationships with band members and others around them added a unique layer to his experience. He developed friendships with key figures in the Dead community and even shared personal moments, including being surprised by a private performance from John Mayer and Bob Weir at his 50th birthday party. Despite his celebrity status, Cohen treasures the genuine connection to the music above all else.
Cohen related to the saying ‘Weir Everywhere’, highlighting how his initial experiences shaped his life. Even when physical attendance wasn’t possible, the music remained a foundational part of his identity.
Continuing the Journey
Looking to the future, Cohen hopes to see further performances, especially involving John Mayer. He plans to continue immersing himself in the vast archive of live recordings. For Cohen, the music connects him with friends, old and new, regardless of the performers’ identities. He anticipates attending upcoming shows by Dead cover bands and remains committed to sharing the music with others, sustaining the spirit of the Grateful Dead.