Record label of the Grateful Dead. The Grateful Dead were an American psychedelia-influenced rock band formed in 1965 in San Francisco. ...

The band's own record label started in mid-1973. Under this label the band created and produced several LP albums in the mid 1970's (about 1973 thru 1976): Wake of the Flood (1973), Mar's Hotel (1974), Blues for Allah (1975), Steal Your Face (1976), and others. Wake of the Flood is the sixth studio album by the Grateful Dead. ... Blues for Allah is a 1975 album by the Grateful Dead. ... Generally considered by Dead Heads to be the Grateful Deads worst live album, Steal Your Face was popularly called Steal Your Money upon its original release (June of 1976). ...

The band originally wanted more control of their artistic choices and therefore established their own label (1973-ish). Later they wanted to relinquish control of the business aspects of their label and went on to Arista Records (1977-ish). Arista Records was founded in 1975 by Clive Davis, and named after his secondary school honor society. ...

The following is from a Grateful Dead newsletter (aka "mailer"):

In 1973, the Grateful Dead started there own "in-house" record company. The original fantasy was to distribute the records from ice cream trucks outside concerts. As it turned out, things developed in a more traditional direction, as outlined in the mailers that were sent out before and after the first release, Wake of the Flood.

Grateful Dead Records September 4, 1973

Fellow Dead Head,

There are two reasons for writing to you now; first to give you the earliest specific information on our new record distribution program; secondly to ask you to join us as part of our eyes, cars and feet on the ground to keep the scene straight locally.

We've decided to produce, manufacture and distribute our records ourselves. The band today finished the recording of an all new studio album (been a long time) called "Wake of the Flood". The album will be made from the highest quality vinyl available, which has the best technical properties. In addition, it will be heavier (weigh more, that is) than most albums available in this country. It will be handled locally through independent record distributors and should be available everywhere.

This adventure is a jumping off point to get us in a position of greater contact with our people, to put us more in command of our own ship, and for unspoken potentials for the "far out."

If you're interested in getting involved, drop us a line here. In any case you'll enjoy the record - it's dynamite!

Gratefully yours,

Grateful Dead