Four CD set. Before The Dead brings together a rare collection of the earliest known performances by Jerry Garcia. From an informal and intimate 1961 performance of simple folk songs at a birthday party with future songwriting partner Robert Hunter to more polished coffeehouse gigs with old-timey and bluegrass bands through 1964, this collection showcases Garcia's deep study of the folk music tradition and it's influence on his musical journey leading to the formation of the Grateful Dead. You'll hear those birthday-party and coffeehouse performances plus KZSU radio Studio A recordings ("Pig in a Pen," "Cripple Creek," "Sugar Baby"), performances by the Wildwood Boys ("The Little Sparrow," "We Shall Not Be Moved"), Jerry & Sara ("Deep Elem Blues," "Long Black Veil"), Black Mountain Boys ("Salt Creek," "Raw Hide," "True Life Blues," "Walkin' the Dog"), Asphalt Jungle Mountain Boys ("These Men of God," "Goodbye Old Pal") and more.