Bill Walton's Long Strange Trip with the Grateful Dead

Basketball Legend and Deadhead Extraordinaire

NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton, who passed away at the age of 71, had a storied life both on and off the court. But one of his greatest passions was his love for the Grateful Dead. In his 2016 memoir, Walton revealed that he had attended a staggering 869 Grateful Dead concerts.

A Devoted Deadhead

Walton's connection to the Dead ran deep. As a star for John Wooden's UCLA Bruins, he was known for his infectious enthusiasm and his love for music. When he discovered the Grateful Dead in the late 1960s, he was instantly hooked.

Walton immersed himself in the Deadhead culture, traveling to countless shows and becoming a close friend of the band's drummer, Mickey Hart. His passion for the Dead even led him to join the band on drums for a performance in Egypt in 1978.

A Life Beyond Basketball

Walton's love for the Grateful Dead extended beyond the music. He embraced the band's ethos of community, creativity, and freedom. In his memoir, he wrote, "The Dead were my teachers. They showed me how to live a life of joy, love, and adventure."

Walton's legacy as a basketball player and activist is well-known. But his passion for the Grateful Dead was an equally important part of his life. It was a love that brought him countless moments of joy and enriched his life in countless ways.