On August 9, 1995, Jerome John “Jerry” Garcia aka Jerry Garcia died aged 53.  He was a musician (guitar), singer and songwriter, best known as founding member and leader of The Grateful Dead. Garcia also co-founded the New Riders of the Purple Sage and participated in other music projects, including The Saunders–Garcia Band (with Merl Saunders), the Jerry Garcia Band, Old and in the Way, The Garcia/ Grisman Duo and Legion of Mary. Garcia also released several solo albums. He was ranked 13th in the magazine Rolling Stone’s “100 Greatest  Guitarists of All Time”