Synopsis

The inside story of Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead from one of the few non-band members allowed in the band’s inner circle: videographer, Len Dell’Amico. From 1980 to 1995, he witnessed brilliance, love, happy chaos, and pot. Lots of pot. This a story of Jerry Garcia and Grateful Dead from the bands videographer of 15 years, Len DellAmico. He was one of the few non-band members allowed into their inner circle. At a time of tremendous creative growth and record sales, DellAmico found himself at Garcias side as a trusted voice while Grateful Dead became a force in the 1980s. Using his skills as a multi-camera live video director, the band and DellAmico were able to create amazing concert films and music videos. Along the way, Jerry Garcia flashed his genius, eccentricity, generosity of spirit, and emotional depth through his music and relationships with the crew. Friend of the Devil is a rare look at Grateful Dead and how beloved Jerry Garcia was before he passed away at the age of 53.

About The Author

Len DellAmico has spent his entire working life in the film and television business, editing, writing, but mainly directing and producing concert films and music videos with such artists as Sarah Vaughan, Herbie Hancock, the Allman Brothers Band, Linda Ronstadt, Ray Charles, Blues Traveler, The Neville Brothers, Carlos Santana, Reuben Blades, and Bonnie Raitt. He met Jerry Garcia in 1980, when he became Grateful Deads video and film guy, and their friendship lasted for the rest of Garcias life. In partnership with Garcia, they produced the historic first national pay-per-view broadcast in the USA, from Radio City Music Hall in New York in 1980, the best-selling award-winning home-video So Far in 1988, a series of ground-breaking live-concert broadcasts from 1987 to 1991, and two classic music videos, Hell In A Bucket and Throwing Stones to promote the bands hit album In The Dark. He currently lives in Fairfax, Marin County, California, where he continues to do free-lance screen-writing, producing, and directing, with a special interest in the environment and sustainability issues. His most recent feature film is Welcome To Dopeland, currently streaming. Web-site: lendellamico.com