Original Relix Editor, Jerry Moore, died June 3 in his sleep at his parents home in the Bronx. R.I.P.

Jerry was a well known Taper, one of the originals! This picture is from David Gans on his Flickr page – and was taken in January 2008 when Jerry visited the Sirius studios.

The first cover of Dead Relix, Vol. 1 #1, done by editor of the day, Jerry Moore.

Taper culture was a new thing, an innovation – really it was at the orgins of the ideas behind Open Source, and Filesharing.  Another culture trend started by deadheads.

Relix Magazine began as a fanzine about the Grateful dead, and the growing taper and deadhead family.  While Relix now covers the greater music scene with a focus on Jambands and Festival culture, it is still tie-dyed to the wool and always acknowledges it’s roots as a magazine for Deadheads.

Would Relix even have come into being without Jerry?  I’m talking Moore, not Garcia right now.  According to DeadDisc.com:

A US magazine which was originally a California based Grateful Dead fanzine. From the first issue in late 1974 through to the last issue of 1976 the title of the magazine was Dead Relix. From 1977 onward the title was Relix except for a couple of years in the 1980’s when Dead Relix was temporarily reinstated. There have generally been 6 issues each year.

Relix was edited by Jerry Moore from 1974 to 1977, Jeff Tamarkin from 1978 to 1979 and Toni Brown from 1980 to 2002.

Initially the magazine was intended primarily for Grateful Dead taper traders. The musical coverage slowly expanded during the early years to cover other Bay Area music. Hence the change in title in 1977. The range of music continued to expand to take in other genres. From the mid-80’s to mid-90’s a steady balance was achieved with a Grateful Dead focus remaining at the centre of wide ranging music and non-music content.

Oh the nights they've spent inside the coliseums! Jerry Moore's Microphones - photo by David Gans (dgans on Flikr)

Deadheadland owes a debt of gratitude to the late Jerry Moore; the love and unlimited devotion of people like Jerry paved the golden road.   While I didn’t personally know him, I still feel the loss – especially as I realize the impact he has had seeding  this community. An inspiration to move brightly.   Do what you love, and love what you do.

To learn about more about Jerry, and the history of taping, relix, and more read this article by Lee Abram on the Toni Brown Band site.

Please add any personal recollections of Jerry you may have, using the comments below.

From Toni Brown, for family and friends (on Facebook):

Wake and funeral info
Visitation Friday 2-4 & 7-9 at
Hodder & Son Funeral Home, 899 McClean Ave, Yonkers, NY 10704 914-237-5800
Mass Saturday 9:45 – St. Barnabus Church, 409 E 241st St
Bronx, NY 10470 718-324-1478
Burial afterward at Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne

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