The List of Grateful Dead Albums in Order of Release Date

All Grateful Dead Albums Available on: Apple Music 

Also See: The Doors Albums In Order

How many albums does Grateful Dead have?

The discography of Grateful Dead includes more than 200 albums, the majority recorded live in concert, featuring 13 studio albums, 9 live albums, and numerous compilations and box sets.

The List of  Grateful Dead Albums in Order of Release Date

Here is the list of Grateful Dead Album in Order of Release Date

1. The Grateful Dead — March 17, 1967
2. Anthem of the Sun — July 18, 1968
3. Aoxomoxoa — June 20, 1969
4. Live/Dead — November 10, 1969
5. Workingman’s Dead — June 14, 1970
6. American Beauty — November 1, 1970
7. Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses) — October 24, 1971
8. Europe ’72 — November 5, 1972
9. History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) — July 13, 1973
10. Wake of the Flood — October 15, 1973
11. From the Mars Hotel — June 27, 1974
12. Blues for Allah — September 1, 1975
13. Steal Your Face — June 26, 1976
14. Terrapin Station — July 27, 1977
15. Shakedown Street — November 15, 1978
16. Go to Heaven — April 28, 1980
17. Reckoning — April 1, 1981
18. Dead Set — August 26, 1981
19. In the Dark — July 6, 1987
20. Dylan & the Dead — January 30, 1989
21. Built to Last — October 31, 1989
22. Without a Net — September, 1990

All Grateful Dead Albums List in Order

[Studio and contemporary live albums]

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1. The Grateful Dead (1967)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)
2. Beat It on Down the Line
3. Good Morning, Little School Girl
4. Cold Rain and Snow
5. Sitting on Top of the World
6. Cream Puff War

Side two:

1. Morning Dew
2. New, New Minglewood Blues
3. Viola Lee Blues

The Grateful Dead is the debut studio album by American rock band the Grateful Dead, released on March 17, 1967, by Warner Bros. Records. Recorded in just four days at RCA’s Studio A in Los Angeles, the album captures the band’s early blend of rock, blues, and folk influences. Produced by David Hassinger, it features classics like “The Golden Road (To Unlimited Devotion)” and “Viola Lee Blues.” Though it received limited radio play initially, the album became a cornerstone of the 1960s San Francisco music scene. Over the years, remastered editions and live bonus tracks have cemented its legacy as a psychedelic rock milestone.

2. Anthem of the Sun (1968)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. That’s It for the Other One
2. I. Cryptical Envelopment
3. II. Quadlibet for Tenderfeet
4. III. The Faster We Go, the Rounder We Get
5. IV. We Leave the Castle
6. New Potato Caboose
7. Born Cross-Eyed

Side two:

1. Alligator
2. Caution (Do Not Stop on Tracks)

Anthem of the Sun is the second studio album by American rock band Grateful Dead, released on July 16, 1968, through Warner Bros.–Seven Arts. Pioneering an experimental fusion of studio and live recordings, the album was crafted by Jerry Garcia, Phil Lesh, and Dan Healy into a psychedelic sound collage. Featuring avant-garde elements like prepared piano, kazoo, timpani, and harpsichord, it showcased the band’s innovative spirit and marked the first appearance of drummer Mickey Hart. Widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking rock albums of the 1960s, it ranked #288 on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

3. Aoxomoxoa (1969)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. St. Stephen
2. Dupree’s Diamond Blues
3. Rosemary
4. Doin’ That Rag
5. Mountains of the Moon

Side two:

1. China Cat Sunflower
2. What’s Become of the Baby
3. Cosmic Charlie

Aoxomoxoa is the third studio album by American rock legends Grateful Dead, released on June 20, 1969, through Warner Bros.-Seven Arts. Known for being one of the first rock albums recorded using 16-track technology, it marked a major leap in experimental sound production. Featuring tracks like “St. Stephen,” “China Cat Sunflower,” and “Dupree’s Diamond Blues,” the album showcased the band’s evolving psychedelic rock style. The album’s striking palindrome title and iconic cover art became symbols of the late 1960s counterculture. Aoxomoxoa later earned Gold certification and remains celebrated for its innovation and influence on modern rock music.

4. Live/Dead (1969)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Dark Star

B Side:

1. St. Stephen
2. The Eleven

C Side:

1. Turn On Your Love Light

D Side:

1. Death Don’t Have No Mercy
2. Feedback
3. And We Bid You Goodnight

Live/Dead is the first official live album by American rock band Grateful Dead, released in 1969. Recorded during concerts at the Avalon Ballroom and Fillmore West, it was the first live rock album to use 16-track recording technology, capturing the band’s signature improvisational sound with stunning clarity. Songs like “Dark Star,” “St. Stephen,” and “Turn On Your Love Light” showcase the band’s psychedelic and jam-rock brilliance. The album received widespread acclaim for its raw energy and innovation, marking a turning point in live music recording. Today, Live/Dead remains a landmark release and a defining moment in rock history.

5. Workingman’s Dead (1970)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Uncle John’s Band
2. High Time
3. Dire Wolf
4. New Speedway Boogie

Side two:

1. Cumberland Blues
2. Black Peter
3. Easy Wind
4. Casey Jones

Workingman’s Dead is the fourth studio album by American rock band the Grateful Dead, released on June 14, 1970, by Warner Bros. Records. Marking a shift from their psychedelic roots, the album embraces a warm, rootsy Americana sound crafted by Jerry Garcia and lyricist Robert Hunter. Recorded in just nine days at Pacific High Recording Studio, it features classic tracks like “Uncle John’s Band,” “Casey Jones,” and “Cumberland Blues.” The album received widespread acclaim for its harmonies and storytelling, ranking among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Its enduring legacy showcases the Dead’s musical versatility and heartfelt songwriting.

6. American Beauty (1970)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Box of Rain
2. Friend of the Devil
3. Sugar Magnolia
4. Operator
5. Candyman

Side two:

1. Ripple
2. Brokedown Palace
3. Till the Morning Comes
4. Attics of My Life
5. Truckin’

American Beauty is the fifth studio album by American rock legends Grateful Dead, released in November 1970 via Warner Bros. Records. The album showcases the band’s signature blend of folk rock, country, and Americana, following the success of Workingman’s Dead. Featuring timeless classics like Truckin’, Ripple, Sugar Magnolia, and Box of Rain, it highlights the lyrical partnership between Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter. American Beauty peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard 200 and earned Double Platinum certification. Widely regarded as the Grateful Dead’s studio masterpiece, it ranks among Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

7. Grateful Dead (Skull & Roses) (1971)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Bertha
2. Mama Tried
3. Big Railroad Blues
4. Playing in the Band

B Side:

1. The Other One

C Side:

1. Me and My Uncle
2. Big Boss Man
3. Me and Bobby McGee
4. Johnny B. Goode

D Side:

1. Wharf Rat
2. Not Fade Away / Goin’ Down the Road Feeling Bad

“Grateful Dead” is a live double album by the legendary rock band, released on September 24, 1971, via Warner Bros. Records. Commonly known as Skull and Roses for its iconic cover art, it was the band’s first gold-certified album and a milestone in their career. Featuring fan favorites like “Bertha,” “Playing in the Band,” and “Wharf Rat,” the record captures the band’s energetic live performances with enhanced vocal and organ overdubs by Merl Saunders. The album’s mix of rock, blues, and country influences solidified the Dead’s reputation as pioneers of the jam band era and remains a timeless classic.

8. Europe ’72 (1972)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Cumberland Blues
2. He’s Gone
3. One More Saturday Night

B Side:

1. Jack Straw
2. You Win Again
3. China Cat Sunflower
4. I Know You Rider

C Side:

1. Brown-Eyed Women
2. Hurts Me Too
3. Pigpen
4. Ramble On Rose

D Side:

1. Sugar Magnolia
2. Mr. Charlie
3. Tennessee Jed

E Side:

1. Truckin’
2. Epilog

F Side:

1. Prelude
2. Morning Dew

Europe ’72 is a legendary live triple album by the Grateful Dead, released in November 1972 through Warner Bros. Records. Capturing performances from their iconic European tour in spring 1972, the album blends rock, country, and psychedelic jams, showcasing classics like “Jack Straw,” “Brown Eyed Women,” and “Truckin’.” It marked the debut of pianist Keith Godchaux and vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux, and the final recordings of founding member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Celebrated for its energy and musicianship, Europe ’72 became one of the Dead’s most successful albums, earning double platinum status and cementing their live legacy.

9. History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) (1973)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Katie Mae
2. Dark Hollow
3. I’ve Been All Around This World
4. Wake Up Little Susie
5. Black Peter

Side two:

1. Smokestack Lightning
2. Hard to Handle

History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice) is a live album by the iconic American rock band the Grateful Dead, released in July 1973 via Warner Bros. Records. Recorded at the Fillmore East in New York City in February 1970, it blends acoustic and electric performances that highlight the band’s folk and blues roots. Produced by sound engineer Owsley “Bear” Stanley, the album serves as a heartfelt tribute to founding member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan. Peaking at number 60 on the Billboard 200, Bear’s Choice also introduced the famous “Dancing Bears” imagery, becoming a symbol of Deadhead culture.

10. Wake of the Flood (1973)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
2. Let Me Sing Your Blues Away
3. Row Jimmy
4. Stella Blue

Side two:

1. Here Comes Sunshine
2. Eyes of the World
3. Weather Report Suite

Wake of the Flood is the sixth studio album by American rock band Grateful Dead, released on October 15, 1973, through their own Grateful Dead Records label. Marking a new era after the death of founding member Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, the album introduced keyboardist Keith Godchaux and vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux, whose jazz and bebop influences shaped its fresh sound. Blending rock, folk, jazz, and R&B, the album features classics like “Eyes of the World” and “Stella Blue.” Peaking at No. 18 on the Billboard 200, Wake of the Flood remains a milestone in the band’s creative and independent journey.

11. From the Mars Hotel (1974)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. U.S. Blues
2. China Doll
3. Unbroken Chain
4. Loose Lucy

Side two:

1. Scarlet Begonias
2. Pride of Cucamonga
3. Money Money
4. Ship of Fools

From the Mars Hotel is the seventh studio album by American rock legends the Grateful Dead, released on June 27, 1974, through their own Grateful Dead Records label. Recorded in San Francisco, the album showcases the band’s signature fusion of rock, folk, and psychedelia with standout tracks like “U.S. Blues,” “Scarlet Begonias,” and “Ship of Fools.” Featuring contributions from Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh, the record blends rich lyricism with experimental soundscapes. Its 50th Anniversary Deluxe Edition, released in 2024, includes remastered audio and live recordings, reaffirming the album’s enduring influence in classic rock history.

12. Blues for Allah (1975)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Help on the Way
2. Slipknot!
3. Franklin’s Tower
4. King Solomon’s Marbles
5. Stronger than Dirt or Milkin’ the Turkey
6. The Music Never Stopped

Side two:

1. Crazy Fingers
2. Sage & Spirit
3. Blues for Allah
4. Sand Castles & Glass Camels
5. Unusual Occurrences in the Desert

Blues for Allah is the eighth studio album by the legendary American rock band Grateful Dead, released on September 1, 1975, through their own Grateful Dead Records. Recorded during a touring hiatus at Bob Weir’s home studio in California, the album blends jazz fusion, psychedelic rock, and Middle Eastern influences, creating a rich and experimental sound. Featuring standout tracks like Help on the Way, Franklin’s Tower, and The Music Never Stopped, it became their highest-charting album, reaching No. 12 in the U.S.. Initially mixed in reviews, it’s now celebrated for its innovation and musical depth, marking a creative milestone in the Dead’s career.

13. Steal Your Face (1976)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Promised Land
2. Cold Rain and Snow
3. Around and Around
4. Stella Blue

B Side:

1. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
2. Ship of Fools
3. Beat It On Down the Line

C Side:

1. Big River
2. Black-Throated Wind
3. U.S. Blues
4. El Paso

D Side:

1. Sugaree
2. It Must Have Been the Roses
3. Casey Jones

Steal Your Face is a live double album by the legendary American rock band the Grateful Dead, released in June 1976. Recorded during their farewell concerts at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom in October 1974, the album captures the band’s final performances before their brief hiatus. Known for its iconic “Lightning Skull” cover art, Steal Your Face was the last release on the band’s own Grateful Dead Records label. While initially met with mixed reviews due to its unconventional sound and track selection, later remastered versions earned appreciation for their historic and raw portrayal of the Dead’s musical energy and evolving live sound.

14. Terrapin Station (1977)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Estimated Prophet
2. Dancin’ in the Streets
3. Passenger
4. Samson & Delilah
5. Sunrise

Side two:

1. Terrapin Part 1

• Lady with a Fan
• Terrapin Station
• Terrapin
• Terrapin Transit
• At a Siding
• Terrapin Flyer
• Refrain

Terrapin Station is the ninth studio album by American rock legends the Grateful Dead, released on July 27, 1977, through Arista Records. Marking their return to studio recording after resuming live touring, it introduced a more polished, orchestral sound under producer Keith Olsen. The album features classics like “Estimated Prophet,” “Samson & Delilah,” and the epic “Terrapin Station” suite. Reaching No. 28 on the Billboard chart, it achieved Gold certification in 1987. Known for its rich storytelling, experimental rhythms, and iconic artwork of dancing terrapins, Terrapin Station remains a beloved milestone in the Grateful Dead’s diverse musical journey.

15. Shakedown Street (1978)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Good Lovin’
2. France
3. Shakedown Street
4. Serengetti
5. Fire on the Mountain

Side two:

1. I Need a Miracle
2. From the Heart of Me
3. Stagger Lee
4. All New Minglewood Blues
5. If I Had the World to Give

Released on November 8, 1978, Shakedown Street is the tenth studio album by the iconic rock band the Grateful Dead, issued through Arista Records. Produced by Lowell George of Little Feat and John Kahn, it marked the final studio appearance of Keith and Donna Jean Godchaux. The album blends rock, disco, and soft rock influences, showcasing classics like “Shakedown Street,” “Fire on the Mountain,” and “I Need a Miracle.” Known for its vibrant Gilbert Shelton cover art and experimental sound, Shakedown Street reflects the band’s late-’70s evolution and remains a fan favorite for its groove-driven, genre-blending energy.

16. Go to Heaven (1980)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Alabama Getaway
2. Far from Me
3. Althea
4. Feel Like a Stranger

Side two:

1. Lost Sailor
2. Saint of Circumstance
3. Antwerp’s Placebo (The Plumber)
4. Easy to Love You
5. Don’t Ease Me In

Go to Heaven is the eleventh studio album by American rock legends the Grateful Dead, released on April 28, 1980, through Arista Records. It marks the debut of keyboardist Brent Mydland, whose soulful voice and synth-driven style refreshed the band’s sound. Produced by Gary Lyons, the album features standout tracks like “Alabama Getaway,” “Althea,” and “Feel Like a Stranger.” Blending rock, blues, and pop influences, it reached No. 23 on the Billboard 200. Though initially met with mixed reviews, the album has gained appreciation over time for its polished production and enduring live favorites, showcasing a pivotal era in the Dead’s evolution.

17. Reckoning (1981)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Dire Wolf
2. The Race Is On
3. Oh Babe It Ain’t No Lie
4. It Must Have Been the Roses

B Side:

1. Dark Hollow
2. China Doll
3. Been All Around This World
4. Monkey and the Engineer
5. Jack-A-Roe

C Side:

1. Deep Elem Blues
2. Cassidy
3. To Lay Me Down

D Side:

1. Rosa Lee McFall
2. On the Road Again
3. Bird Song
4. Ripple

Reckoning is a 1981 live double album by the legendary American rock band Grateful Dead, released by Arista Records. Serving as the band’s sixth live and seventeenth overall album, it features beautifully recorded acoustic performances from their 1980 concerts at the Warfield Theatre in San Francisco and Radio City Music Hall in New York. The album showcases fan-favorite songs like Ripple, Dire Wolf, and China Doll, blending folk, bluegrass, and rock influences. Produced by Dan Healy, Betty Cantor-Jackson, and Jerry Garcia, Reckoning captures the Grateful Dead’s intimate, unplugged energy and remains a beloved classic in their extensive live discography.

18. Dead Set (1981)

Tracks:

A Side:

1. Samson and Delilah
2. Friend of the Devil
3. New Minglewood Blues
4. Deal

B Side:

1. Candyman
2. Little Red Rooster
3. Loser

C Side:

1. Passenger
2. Feel Like a Stranger
3. Franklin’s Tower
4. Rhythm Devils

D Side:

1. Space
2. Fire on the Mountain
3. Greatest Story Ever Told
4. Brokedown Palace

Dead Set is the seventh live album (and eighteenth overall) by American rock band the Grateful Dead, released in August 1981 via Arista Records. Recorded during their 1980 performances at San Francisco’s Warfield Theatre and New York’s Radio City Music Hall, the album captures the band’s vibrant live energy with songs like “Friend of the Devil,” “Deal,” and “Fire on the Mountain.” A companion to the acoustic-based Reckoning, Dead Set showcases the Dead’s electric side. The album’s iconic cover features an Uncle Sam skeleton overlooking San Francisco, symbolizing the band’s enduring connection to their Bay Area roots.

19. In the Dark (1987)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Touch of Grey
2. Hell in a Bucket
3. When Push Comes to Shove
4. West L.A. Fadeaway

Side two:

1. Tons of Steel
2. Throwing Stones
3. Black Muddy River

“In the Dark” is the twelfth studio album by American rock band Grateful Dead, released on July 6, 1987, through Arista Records. Recorded live at the Marin Veterans Memorial Auditorium, the album marked the band’s return after a six-year hiatus. It became their most commercially successful release, reaching No. 6 on the Billboard 200 and earning double platinum certification in the U.S. The hit single “Touch of Grey” peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and gained massive MTV airplay. Featuring fan favorites like “Hell in a Bucket” and “Throwing Stones,” the album captured the band’s timeless, authentic sound and renewed creative energy.

20. Dylan & the Dead (1989)

Tracks:

Side one:

1. Slow Train
2. I Want You
3. Gotta Serve Somebody
4. Queen Jane Approximately

Side two:

1. Joey
2. All Along the Watchtower
3. Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door

“Dylan & the Dead” is a live collaborative album by legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead, released on February 6, 1989, through Columbia Records. Recorded during the 1987 Bob Dylan and the Grateful Dead Tour, the album features seven classic Dylan songs backed by the Grateful Dead’s signature jam style. Produced by Jerry Garcia and John Cutler, the record includes performances of “All Along the Watchtower,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” and “Gotta Serve Somebody.” Despite mixed critical reception, it reached No. 37 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and earned Gold certification, marking a memorable collaboration in rock history.

21. Built to Last (1989)

Tracks:

1. Foolish Heart
2. Just a Little Light
3. Built to Last
4. Blow Away
5. Victim or the Crime
6. We Can Run
7. Standing on the Moon
8. Picasso Moon
9. I Will Take You Home

Built to Last is the thirteenth and final studio album by the legendary American rock band Grateful Dead, released on October 31, 1989, through Arista Records. Recorded between February and October 1989, it features standout contributions from keyboardist Brent Mydland, who co-wrote four songs with lyricist John Perry Barlow, showcasing his growing creative influence before his passing in 1990. The album includes fan favorites like “Foolish Heart,” “Built to Last,” and “Standing on the Moon.” Reissued and remastered multiple times, including in the 2004 Beyond Description box set, Built to Last reached #27 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Gold by the RIAA.

22. Without a Net (1990)

Tracks:

Disc one:

1. Feel Like a Stranger
2. Mississippi Half-Step Uptown Toodeloo
3. Walkin’ Blues
4. Althea
5. Cassidy
6. Bird Song
7. Let It Grow

Disc two:

1. China Cat Sunflower / I Know You Rider
2. Looks Like Rain
3. Eyes of the World
4. Victim or the Crime
5. Help on the Way / Slipknot! / Franklin’s Tower
6. One More Saturday Night
7. Dear Mr. Fantasy

Released in September 1990, Without a Net is the Grateful Dead’s eighth live album and a landmark recording that captures the band’s dynamic concert energy. Recorded during their 1989–1990 tours, the album simulates the flow of a live show and features favorites like “Eyes of the World” with guest saxophonist Branford Marsalis. As the band’s first digital live release, it showcased groundbreaking production clarity and achieved Gold certification within weeks. Dedicated to late keyboardist Brent Mydland, Without a Net stands as a powerful tribute and the final contemporary live album released during the Grateful Dead’s celebrated career.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, exploring the Grateful Dead albums in order offers an incredible journey through the evolution of one of America’s most influential rock bands. From their psychedelic beginnings in the 1960s to their improvisational live masterpieces and later studio successes, each album reflects the band’s experimental spirit and musical diversity. The Grateful Dead’s discography captures the heart of the counterculture era and continues to inspire generations of music lovers. Whether you’re a lifelong Deadhead or a new listener, diving into the Grateful Dead albums in order reveals a timeless legacy of creativity, community, and groundbreaking sound.

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