99% Invisible Long Strange Tape
12 snips
Nov 22, 2023 
Join Marc Masters, author of "High Bias," as he takes us on a nostalgic journey through the fascinating history of cassette tapes. Discover how their accessibility and portability made them beloved despite their audio flaws. The conversation highlights the unique relationship between cassettes and the Grateful Dead, diving into the cultural significance of bootlegging and tape trading. Plus, explore the shift from analog to digital experiences in music and how cassettes continue to resonate even in the prison system, offering comfort to inmates.
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Acid Test Origins
- The Grateful Dead's first known live recording is from a 1966 Acid Test.
- These happenings, organized by Ken Kesey and the Merry Pranksters, involved LSD, lights, and experimental performances.
Bear's Recordings
- Owsley "Bear" Stanley, the Dead's patron and sound engineer, constantly recorded their shows.
- His goal was to improve live sound quality by listening back to tapes and adjusting accordingly.
Early Tapers
- Fans, called "tapers", would sneak recorders into shows to capture the live experience.
- Early tapers used bulky reel-to-reel recorders, often resorting to hiding them in their pants or even burying them before shows.
