Bob Weir Reflects on Grateful Dead’s Pioneering Taper Section Strategy

Before viral videos or streaming, there were tape decks and Deadheads. Bob Weir’s story about giving tapers their own section at shows is a reminder that when you trust your fans, they become your greatest promoters. The Grateful Dead didn’t just allow recording—they embraced it, creating a ripple effect of community and creativity that still echoes through music culture today.