The 2005 Thanksgiving Day Massacre: Archive Removes the Dead

In what quickly became billed as the Thanksgiving Day Massacre, on November 22, 2005, Archive.org, at the Grateful Dead’s request, stopped all streaming and downloading of Dead shows on Archive. Outcry from Deadheads against what they saw as a money grab contrary to the band’s ethics came quick and furious, and a petition to make the music available again soon had over 7000 signatures.

Amidst the outcry, John Perry Barlow came out strongly against the band’s decision, in no surprise to anyone who was familiar with his cofounding of and work with the Electronic Frontier Foundation, an organization dedicated to online liberty. And he seemed to suggest that not only was he disturbed by the pulling of the recordings from Archive, but he also had no say in the decision, writing that “It’s like finding out that your brother is a child molester. And then, worse, having everyone then assume that you’re a child molester too. I’ve been called a hypocrite in three languages already.”

At the same time, Phil Lesh also dissented from the decision and claimed “I was not part of the decision making process and was not notified.” Phil went on to write that he loved Archive and had listened to shows on there, finding “it invaluable during the writing of my book. I found myself being pulled back in time listening to old Grateful Dead shows while giggling with glee or feeling that ache in my heart listening to Jerry’s poetic guitar and sweet voice.”

Bobby was the only one to speak in support of the band’s action, claiming at different times that the decision was motivated by lost revenue and that there were copyright issues with other people’s tunes that they had covered. Later, people close to the situation suggested that Bobby and the drummers had outvoted Phil, who may or may not have been consulted at all, as he had indicated. And, in time, it seemed like the real reason for taking down the recordings was a new deal that the Dead was in the process of signing with Rhino Records.

Fortunately, nine days after all the Grateful Dead recordings on Archive were taken down, the band once again made all audience recordings available for streaming and download and allowed soundboards to be streamed as well. And so we get to continue to enjoy this cornucopia of Dead music and history.