Jerry Garcia Publishing Catalog

This listing features royalties from Jerry Garcia—one of the most iconic figures in rock history—earned during his time with the Grateful Dead.

The catalog boasts a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15.73%, placing it well above the median (-4.37%) and closer to the 75th percentile (10.92%) among catalogs analyzed by Royalty Exchange. This strong relative performance suggests solid potential for ongoing revenue growth and long-term stability.

The earnings base is notably diverse: 75% of Last Twelve Months (LTM) income came from tracks outside the top five, and five different income categories each contributed at least 10% to LTM earnings—highlighting both depth and balance across the catalog.

With a Dollar Age of 48.20 years, the catalog reflects significant maturity. Older catalogs with long-established earnings histories tend to generate more stable and predictable income, supported by enduring demand and reduced volatility.

Jerry Garcia was the principal songwriter, lead guitarist, and cofounder of the Grateful Dead, one of the most influential and enduring bands in American music history. Born in 1942 in San Francisco, Garcia co-founded the band in 1965 and remained its central creative force until his death in 1995. Known for his improvisational guitar style and collaborative ethos, he helped shape the sound of the counterculture movement of the 1960s and 1970s by blending rock, folk, blues, bluegrass, and psychedelia.

Garcia was also a prolific and versatile songwriter. Working closely with lyricist Robert Hunter, he co-wrote enduring classics like “Scarlet Begonias,” “Ripple,” “Eyes of the World,” “Touch of Grey,” and “Althea,” and many more. These songs became staples of the Dead’s repertoire and remain central to the band’s legacy and ongoing popularity.

Garcia’s publishing catalog continues to generate royalties through album sales, streaming, licensing, and widespread live performances—including those by Dead & Company and other posthumous projects that keep his music in circulation. His compositions have been covered by a wide range of artists and regularly appear in films, television, documentaries, and commercials, contributing to the enduring appeal and financial longevity of his work.

In recognition of his cultural contributions, Garcia has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with the Grateful Dead) and honored by institutions such as the Smithsonian. His songwriting remains a foundational pillar of American music and a vital asset within the broader publishing landscape.

How This Investment Works. As the winning bidder, you will collect payments until you receive the fixed amount of $315,000 from this asset. 

Early Repayment. The seller of this asset can repay the remaining advance balance at any time. For example: If after two years, this asset has paid you $100,000 and the seller wants the royalty stream back, they can pay you $215,000 to reclaim the royalties.

Administration Note: 
The songs in this catalog are controlled by Ice Nine Publishing Company, the music rights and publishing company of the members and heirs of deceased members of The Grateful Dead. Ice Nine represents the Grateful Dead’s entire body of work of nearly 200 original songs. The catalog is currently administered by Warner/Chappell through 2026. The first payment for this asset will be a single annual advance payment from Warner/Chappell in or around March 2026. The amount of the 2026 advance payment will be calculated based on prior years’ publishing earnings. Ice Nine’s publishing administration arrangement has not been finalized for 2027 and beyond. The amount and frequency of payments after the 2026 annual advance could change based on the terms of the new or extended administration arrangement, but the winning bidder of this asset will be entitled to payments until the fixed amount of $315,000 has been paid.

Special Note. A portion of the proceeds from this listing will support the production of the next music release project produced by Jerry Garcia Music Arts. Jerry Garcia Music Arts is an environmentally conscious, mission-based, music and arts entertainment services company.

In addition, as a special and exciting memento, the seller would like to include a unique piece of Jerry Garcia's visual art for the winner of this listing.

This catalog will not be automatically added to the Secondary Market of The Exchange.