The Grateful Dead Skeleton’s Name: Unveiling the ‘Steal Your Face Skull’
The Grateful Dead, an iconic American rock band, is known for its unique and distinctive skeleton logo, which has become synonymous with their music and counterculture movement. The skeleton, often referred to as the “Steal Your Face Skull,” holds significant meaning within the band’s history and has captured the imagination of fans worldwide. This article explores the origins of the skeleton’s name and its artistic inspiration, shedding light on the fascinating story behind one of rock music’s most recognizable logos.
Origin
The name “Steal Your Face Skull” originates from the lyrics of the Grateful Dead’s song “He’s Gone,” released in 1972. The song mentions the phrase “steal your face right off your head,” which alludes to someone taking something valuable from another person. This lyric holds a deeper significance within the band’s history. It refers to the band’s former manager, who was discovered to have embezzled a substantial amount of money from them. The phrase “steal your face” symbolizes the betrayal and loss experienced by the band.
Artistic Inspiration
The artistic inspiration behind the Grateful Dead’s skeleton logo and album art can be traced back to an ink drawing titled “A Skeleton Amid Roses” by British artist Edmund Joseph Sullivan. This drawing was discovered by artists Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley while creating a poster for the Grateful Dead’s September 1966 show at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco.
The drawing was originally featured in the book “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam,” a collection of 11th-century poems by the Persian writer. Mouse and Kelley stumbled upon this book during their visits to the San Francisco Public Library, where they would seek inspiration from rare art and poster books. The black-and-white drawing of a skeleton surrounded by roses, with a crown of roses atop its head, caught their attention. They saw it as a perfect representation of the Grateful Dead’s identity and decided to incorporate it into their artwork.
Unauthorized Acquisition
To use the skeleton drawing in their poster, Mouse and Kelley faced a challenge as the book was too valuable to be checked out of the library. Determined to incorporate the artwork into their design, Kelley resorted to cutting out the page containing the drawing from the book using a pen knife. They then made a copy of the drawing using a pre-Xerox Photostat machine. Mouse subsequently colored it in and added the iconic lettering that accompanies the skeleton image.
In 1993, the original ink drawing by Sullivan resurfaced at an auction in New York. Jacaeber Kastor, an artist, curator, and art collector, recognized its significance and acquired it for preservation. Kastor’s purchase allowed the public to view the original artwork for the first time in more than three decades.
Conclusion
The Grateful Dead’s skeleton logo, known as the “Steal Your Face Skull,” holds a special place in the band’s history and the hearts of their fans. Its name originated from the lyrics of the song “He’s Gone” and represents the betrayal experienced by the band at the hands of their former manager. The artistic inspiration for the logo came from the ink drawing “A Skeleton Amid Roses” by Edmund Joseph Sullivan, which was discovered by Mouse and Kelley in a book of 11th-century poems. The unauthorized acquisition of the drawing and its subsequent preservation by Jacaeber Kastor adds another layer to the story behind this iconic symbol. The enduring popularity and recognition of the Grateful Dead’s skeleton logo solidify its place as one of rock music’s most iconic and beloved images.
FAQs
What is the name of the Grateful Dead skeleton logo?
The Grateful Dead skeleton logo is commonly known as the “Steal Your Face Skull.”
What is the significance of the name “Steal Your Face Skull”?
The name “Steal Your Face Skull” originated from the lyrics of the Grateful Dead song “He’s Gone.” The phrase “steal your face right off your head” symbolizes the betrayal and loss experienced by the band when their former manager embezzled a significant amount of money from them.
Who created the Grateful Dead skeleton logo?
The Grateful Dead skeleton logo was not created by a single artist. It was inspired by an ink drawing titled “A Skeleton Amid Roses” by British artist Edmund Joseph Sullivan. The logo was then adapted and incorporated into the band’s artwork by artists Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelley.
How did Mouse and Kelley discover the skeleton drawing?
Mouse and Kelley discovered the skeleton drawing while seeking inspiration for a poster they were creating for the Grateful Dead’s September 1966 show at the Avalon Ballroom in San Francisco. They found the drawing in the book “The Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam,” a collection of 11th-century poems by the Persian writer.
How did Mouse and Kelley acquire the skeleton drawing?
To incorporate the skeleton drawing into their poster, Mouse and Kelley faced the challenge of the valuable book not being available for checkout from the library. Kelley resorted to cutting out the page containing the drawing from the book using a pen knife. They then made a copy of the drawing using a pre-Xerox Photostat machine.
Who currently owns the original skeleton drawing?
The original “A Skeleton Amid Roses” drawing by Edmund Joseph Sullivan was purchased by artist, curator, and art collector Jacaeber Kastor at an auction in 1993. Kastor recognized the significance of the artwork and acquired it for preservation.
What is the enduring popularity of the Grateful Dead skeleton logo?
The Grateful Dead’s skeleton logo, known as the “Steal Your Face Skull,” has become an enduring symbol of the band’s music and counterculture movement. It holds a special place in the hearts of fans and continues to be recognized and celebrated for its unique and iconic design.
How has the Grateful Dead skeleton logo influenced popular culture?
The Grateful Dead skeleton logo has had a significant influence on popular culture. It has been widely reproduced, adapted, and referenced in various forms of art, merchandise, and media. The logo’s distinctive imagery and association with the band have contributed to its enduring presence in the music and cultural landscape.