Grateful Dead 1969 “Ear Head” Poster

A 1969 music poster for Grateful Dead, known as “Ear Head”.

About The Grateful Dead

The Grateful Dead formed in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1965 and became famous for long, improvised live shows. Grateful Dead posters and album art, from skeletons and roses to dancing bears, are central to psychedelic design. Music posters have long borrowed from the visual style of each era, from psychedelia to punk. The late 1960s saw a boom in psychedelic poster art, with swirling hand-drawn lettering and clashing colours. The original image dates from 1969. Grateful Dead fans, known as Deadheads, followed the band from city to city for decades.

Styling this Grateful Dead poster

This Grateful Dead poster is a simple way to give a room personality and a sense of history. Hang it at eye level, about 57 inches (145 cm) to its centre; 18×24″ is a versatile size for most walls. A black or antique-gold frame suits this Grateful Dead poster well and keeps the focus on the image. This Grateful Dead poster also anchors a gallery wall well; surround it with smaller pieces at even 2–3 inch gaps. Keep this Grateful Dead poster out of strong direct sunlight to protect its colours.

At a glance

• Type: Grateful Dead poster
• Band: The Grateful Dead
• Year: 1969
• Style: Retro music posters
• Collections: Grateful Dead Posters, Retro Music Posters