In the beginning

Grateful Dead Live at Golden State Studios on 1965-11-03

I work for the union

Garcia was a member of the American Federation of Musicians (AFM), local no. 6 in San Francisco.

He initially applied on August 24, 1965 and was approved for membership one week later. He gave his address as 71 Miguel Street, San Francisco, claiming to have resided there for four years. He claims his occupation as music teacher. Question #29 asks "Have you played any professional engagements during the time you were not a member of the Federation, and if so, where and with whom?" Answer: no (of course).

Like a lot of creative types, Garcia was paperwork-challenged, as indicated by his very messy card.

• Applied 8/24/85;
• Admitted 8/31/65;
• Dropped 4/12/66;
• Readmitted to membership 7/16/66;
• dropped 3/31/68;
• Readmitted to membership 7/13/68;
• dropped 3/31/69;
• readmitted 4/3/70;
• dropped 6/30/72;
• readmitted 9/21/72;
• suspended w/ $100 fine 3/25/74
• dropped 9/30/74;
• readmitted 5/12/75;
• dropped 12/31/80
• readmitted 3/26/81, con't to 9/21/82
• But: 7/27/82 letter threatening JG's membership (I think for unpaid gig dues, not membership, paid up 8/24/82

I don't know if he got someone to keep his paperwork together after that time (I think so) or if there were more ebbs and flows that I just wasn't able to pin down.

The other Warlocks

So the story I have preserved in my memory about the Warlocks' change of name in 1965 says that it was proximately caused by Phil Lesh's discovery of another local band using the name. I also have it in my head that the existence of these other Warlocks remains mysterious. I would put money on the fact that I am wrong on the latter count, especially.

Just in case, I thought I'd just note that the "chit chat" column of the Oakland Tribune, October 23, 1965, p. 7B makes mention of a local battle of the bands in which one of the competitors is The Warlocks, from Encinal High. (The column also has information on a tiddly winks contest, I shit you not ... no wonder that world was turned upside down by psychedelics. But I digress.)

Anyway, again, I am sure this is well-known, but I didn't know it, so I post it here for my own reference.