On Wednesday, June 25th at 6 PM, The Book Stall is excited to host author Brian Anderson as he discusses and signs copies of his new book, Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead’s Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection. Anderson gives us the full story behind the Grateful Dead's "Wall of Sound," an unprecedented and unparalleled speaker system that was as tall as a school bus is long and more than a hundred feet wide. Brian interviewed hundreds of people associated with the band and the construction of the Wall itself, including band members, roadies, tech wizards, fans and many more. This inside story from one of the most legendary rock bands of all time will appeal to Deadheads, music fans, and audiophiles of all kinds.
This event is free with registration. To register, please CLICK HERE.
More About the Book: The Grateful Dead’s quest for roaring yet crystal clear sound began after their formation in 1965, colliding with the ‘60s progressive social climate. Over the next few years, the Dead’s growing crew of sound-obsessed techies and eccentric roadies took their speaker system to new technological heights. But in 1974, as the Dead’s relentless, drug-fueled touring schedule met this increasingly burdensome yet sonically perfect machine, the Wall brought the band to its knees. The two years of “Wall shows” are legend among Deadheads, and Anderson’s book is a character-driven tale about human ambition and achievement, as well as the limits of both.
As the late Steve Silberman, co-creator of Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads, said, "An industrious reporter and passionate writer with deep ties to the communities he writes about, Brian embodies the sheer joy of being present when 'something new is waiting to be born' creatively, as the Grateful Dead put it. He's a trustworthy guide to experiences that are hard to put into words."
More About the Author: Brian Anderson has been a Webby Award-winning senior features editor, writer, and producer at VICE. More recently, he did a stint as science editor at The Atlantic, where he was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team for early pandemic coverage, and was later an editor at Vox. He lives in Chicago with his partner (and a piece of the Wall of Sound). Loud and Clear is his first book.
Wednesday Jun 25, 2025
6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CDT
Wednesday, June 25
6:00 pm
The Book Stall
811 Elm Street
Free
Robert McDonald
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