Photographer Captures ‘Then & Now’ Pictures Of Grateful Dead Fans 30 Years Apart

I didn’t grow up with the Grateful Dead—I didn’t stumble onto them until the early 2000s, when I was in my 20s.

By then, Jerry Garcia had been gone for years, but somehow the band’s music, vibe, and loyal community were still going strong.

Even now, they’re still out there putting on incredible shows for millions of fans across generations. That’s why I was so taken with photographer Bill Lemke’s “then & now” series.

Back in the ’80s, he set up a tie-dye backdrop and took formal portraits of Deadheads in their prime concert-going years.

Decades later, he tracked many of them down and recreated the exact same shots.

The result is more than a nostalgic trip—it’s a testament to a fanbase that’s been keeping the Dead alive long after the last note fades.

More photos are being compiled into a book “Aging Gratefully” along with their personal stories. I’m looking forward to seeing it.

More form Bill here: Website | Instagram

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