Dark Star Orchestra

Dark Star Orchestra performs shows from among the nearly 2,500 concerts of the Grateful Dead during their 30-year tenure performing improvisational rock. On most, though not all of their performances, Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, while adapting their phrasing, voice arrangements and specific musical equipment for the various eras of the Grateful Dead shows in which they perform.[1]

Members of the Grateful Dead themselves, including rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux and keyboardists Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, have all appeared on stage and performed with Dark Star Orchestra. In November 2011, the group played its 2,000th show in Ithaca, New York.[2]

Dark Star Orchestra has been playing live shows together since 1997, after guitarist John Kadlecik contacted keyboardist Scott Larned with a concept (introduced by a common friend Andrew "Tiny" Dofner): performing complete Grateful Dead shows out of history. When Scott mentioned having the same idea, John knew they were on to something. Since forming, the band has performed over 2,500 shows.[2]

On lead guitar and vocals, John Kadlecik used amp rigs and equipment to imitate guitar tone of Jerry Garcia from the show being recreated. When a 70s show is being performed, vocalist Lisa Mackey provides Donna Godchaux's female harmonies.

Dino English delivers the rhythmic drumming sounds of Bill Kreutzmann. On the other drum set, Rob Koritz, fills the Mickey Hart role. Kevin Rosen provides a style of bass playing similar to that of Phil Lesh. Rob Eaton performs rhythm guitar and vocals in the style of Bob Weir.

In November 1998, on the eve of their first anniversary, Mike Gordon and Jon Fishman of Phish joined DSO at Martyrs' after their own show. Fishman sat in for the majority of the evening, which included a drum section with four percussionists. The ensuing buzz caused national interest in the band. That winter, their Colorado tour sold out almost every stop and soon after, The Washington Post declared them "the hottest Grateful Dead tribute act going"; USA Today claimed DSO was "channeling the Dead" but what they do is not just a tribute to the Grateful Dead but a testament to the enormous number of unique set lists the band performed in their long career.

Continuing their growth, DSO has performed up to 200 dates in a year. Their popularity has grown continually, playing at larger venues and theaters, collaborating with guests including Grateful Dead alumni Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, Donna Jean Godchaux-Mackay, Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten.

On 29 October 2004, Dark Star Orchestra played their 1,000th show at Carolina Theatre in Greensboro, N.C. The show did not adhere to a particular Grateful Dead setlist but was instead composed of highlights from throughout the Dead's history. The show was recorded by the DSO crew and distributed as a 3-CD set.

In 2008, Dark Star Orchestra performed over 150 shows throughout the U.S. In addition to the complete Grateful Dead show selections, the band has been known to incorporate Jerry Garcia Band show setlists as well as original set lists of their own choosing.

During the band's Spring tour in 2005, co-founder Scott Larned died of a heart attack on April 24. The band reeled for a while, featuring the talents of guest keyboardists, including Dan Klepinger and Tom Ryan, until selecting Rob Barraco as a permanent replacement in 2007.

In 2009 John Kadlecik joined a new band with original Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir called Furthur. On November 16, 2009 he officially announced that he was leaving Dark Star Orchestra. His final show with the band was on December 5, 2009. For DSO's 2009–10 winter shows, he was replaced by guitarist Jeff Mattson of the Zen Tricksters and the Donna Jean Godchaux Band. Mattson now is considered the permanent guitarist for DSO.

On May 3, 2013 it was announced that bassist Kevin Rosen would be leaving the band. He was quoted as saying "After all my years of touring with Dark Star Orchestra, I find myself in need of an extended break from life on the road. In addition, my mother’s declining health makes it even more important to be home at this time."[3]

The band had its 25th anniversary tour in fall 2022.[4]

• "Grateful Dead's music celebrated at Dark Star Jubilee". The Newark Advocate.
• "Dark Star Orchestra channels Grateful Dead in Morristown". Daily Record.
• "Dark Star Orchestra helps keep the Dead alive". stltoday.com.
• "Preview: theCAUSE welcomes Dark Star Orchestra guitarist Mattson for Grateful Dead tribute". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
• "Experience The Dead with Dark Star Orchestra". heraldonline.
• "Dark Star Orchestra – New Hampshire". UnionLeader.com.
• "Tribute band Dark Star Orchestra raises Grateful Dead for Stage AE show". TribLIVE.com.
• "Dark Star Orchestra to resurrect the Grateful Dead at Greenfield Lake Amphitheater". luminanews.com.
• "Lib at Large: Grateful Dead's music lives on in Dark Star Orchestra". marinij.com.
• "Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, returns to State Bridge Saturday". The VailDaily.
• "Bands pay tribute to the Grateful Dead and the Band". The Poughkeepsie Journal.
• "Dark Star Orchestra brings Grateful Dead vibes to The Fillmore". ninertimes.com. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04.
• Interview with Rob Eaton on Centerstage Chicago (January 2007)

• www.darkstarorchestra.net, official website of Dark Star Orchestra
• www.dinoenglishproductions.com, official website of Dino English
• Live Dark Star Orchestra at the Internet Archive
• www.johnkmusic.net – John Kadlecik's official website & personal pages
• Interview with John Kadlecik from honesttune.com
• Jeff Mattson sits down with Ira Haberman of The Sound Podcast for a feature interview
• John Kadlecik feature interview on The Sound Podcast with Ira Haberman