Bill Kreutzmann
A founding drummer who played nearly all 2,300 Grateful Dead shows, alongside fellow original members Bob Weir and Phil Lesh.
William Kreutzmann Jr., born May 7, 1946, in San Francisco, California, is an American drummer and a founding member of the Grateful Dead. He played with the band for its entire thirty-year career, often alongside fellow drummer Mickey Hart. His journey began at age 13 on a borrowed Slingerland kit, overcoming early doubts from a sixth-grade teacher who claimed he could not keep a beat. Encouraged by author Aldous Huxley after a high school practice session, Kreutzmann developed an enthusiasm for Ray Charles and jazz groups like Elvin Jones. He remained with the Dead until their dissolution in 1995 following Jerry Garcia's death, having performed at nearly all of the band's 2,300 shows alongside Garcia, Bob Weir, and Phil Lesh.
- Role
- Co-Founder / Drummer
- Affiliation
- The Grateful Dead
- First Appears
- Mid-1960s
- Status
- Active
- Instrument
- Drums and Percussion
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Kreutzmann co-founded the Warlocks in late 1964 with Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and Ron "Pigpen" McKernan; Dana Morgan Jr. filled in temporarily on bass. Their first gig occurred on May 5, 1965, just two days before his nineteenth birthday; during these early years, he sometimes used a fake draft card named "Bill Sommers" to enter bars as an underage musician. In November 1965, the band became the Grateful Dead. A pivotal moment arrived in the fall of 1967 when Kreutzmann met Mickey Hart. Their collaboration formed one of the first rock bands with two drummers, earning them the nickname "the Rhythm Devils"—a name coined by the band's sound engineer or by the band themselves. From 1978 to 1995, their lengthy drum duets became a staple of nearly every show. In the early 1990s, Kreutzmann led side projects like The Billy Kreutzmann All-stars, Kokomo, and Go Ahead, featuring musicians such as Brent Mydland and David Nelson. He also collaborated with Neal Schon to form the Trichromes in 2002.
In Their Own Story
In June 1997, Kreutzmann pleaded no contest in Kauai, Hawaii, regarding charges of beating his former girlfriend, serving two days in jail. Musically, he rebounded quickly; in 2000, he joined The Other Ones, which toured that year and again in 2002 before becoming "The Dead" in 2003. He played live with them in 2003, 2004, and 2009. On December 17, 2005, he drummed for SerialPod at the Warren Haynes Christmas Jam alongside Phish members Trey Anastasio and Mike Gordon. In 2006, he reunited with Hart to form the Rhythm Devils again, touring until ending at the Vegoose festival in Las Vegas over Halloween weekend. By August 2, 2009, he was back on stage with Phish for most of the second set at Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Later that year, he visited the White House and met President Obama along with other Dead members.
Reader's Guide
Kreutzmann's post-Dead career includes forming BK3 in 2008 with bassist Oteil Burbridge and guitarist Scott Murawski. In 2010, he formed 7 Walkers with Papa Mali, Matt Hubbard, and Reed Mathis, releasing a studio album on November 2, 2010. In October 2014, he announced Billy & the Kids, debuting in December with Mathis, Aron Magner, and Tom Hamilton Jr. His memoir, "Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams, and Drugs with the Grateful Dead," was published on May 5, 2015. That same year, he formed Dead & Company with Weir and Hart, touring until 2019 and returning in fall 2021 and summer 2022. However, in September 2022, the band announced a Final Tour for Summer 2023, stating Kreutzmann would not perform due to a "shift in creative direction." Outside music, he produced the 1995 documentary "Ocean Spirit" and has created digital art since acquiring his first computer in 1993.
Did You Know?
- Aldous Huxley once walked into a high school practice session, told Kreutzmann he had never heard anything like his drumming, and encouraged him despite a teacher's earlier claim that he could not keep a beat.
- Kreutzmann missed a small number of Grateful Dead shows, so he did not play at every single one of the band's 2,300 performances.
- The nickname "the Rhythm Devils" for Kreutzmann and Mickey Hart was coined by the band's sound engineer or by the band themselves, not by Francis Ford Coppola.
- Kreutzmann used a fake draft card with the name "Bill Sommers" to get into bars during the band's early days because he was underage.
- In 2015, Dead & Company announced their Final Tour for Summer 2023, but Kreutzmann would not perform due to a "shift in creative direction."
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bill Kreutzmann?
Bill Kreutzmann is an American drummer and founding member of the Grateful Dead born in Palo Alto in 1946. He served as a core rhythm section member throughout the band's entire thirty-year career.
What was his specific role in the band?
He played drums and percussion, frequently performing alongside Mickey Hart to create a unique dual-drummer sound. Kreutzmann is recognized as one of the original co-founders who helped establish the group's identity.
Did he miss any performances during his tenure?
No, he holds the distinction of being the only surviving original lineup member to play every single one of the approximately 2,300 Grateful Dead shows. His consistency remained unmatched from their mid-1960s start until their dissolution.
What musical influences shaped his style?
Kreutzmann developed a strong enthusiasm for Ray Charles and jazz drummers like Elvin Jones during his youth. He also received pivotal encouragement to pursue music after meeting author Aldous Huxley in high school.
Is Bill Kreutzmann still performing today?
Yes, his current status is listed as active following the band's initial breakup in 1995. He continues to engage with fans and maintain his legacy within the rock music community.
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