Sunset Hill Stoneware’s History with the Grateful Dead
Sunset Hill Stoneware has created stoneware for dozens of big-name organizations over our 20-year history, from high-end resorts and breweries to national parks. We’ve proudly depicted the artwork of almost everything in between as well, including bands like the Grateful Dead.
The Grateful Dead has been the go-to band for hippies since 1965 and celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2015. Since its formation, the rock band released more than 140 studio albums. It has also performed at more than 2,300 concerts worldwide. Plus, they’ve produced some of the most recognizable artwork in music, which we’ve put on our mugs for Dead.net since 2011.
Our owner, Tom, is a fan. Let’s take a moment to honor our history as deadheads and highlight some of the Grateful Dead mugs and beer steins we’ve made over the years.
THE GRATEFUL DEAD’S ART AND IMAGERY
There are several different images associated with the Grateful Dead that are recognizable and surreal. We’ve put all of these and more on our stoneware in limited, special editions for Dead.net.
SKELETON AND ROSES MUG
The Grateful Dead used skulls and skeletons for a lot of album artwork during its heyday. The Skeleton and Roses design was also on the first pieces Sunset Hill Stoneware produced for the band in 2011. The skeleton wearing a crown of roses was sold on our Executive Slim mug in midnight black.
DANCING BEARS MUGS AND SHOTGLASSES
The Dancing Bears are among the most recognizable symbols found on Grateful Dead merchandise. Originally found on the album History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (Bear’s Choice), the bears are on multiple special editions of our stoneware—and plenty of acid paper. They even marched across a set of four shot glasses we created for the band in years past, each taking a different step across the glass.
STEAL YOUR FACE SKULL STEIN
Accompanying the skeleton during our earliest runs was a red, white and blue skull with a lightning bolt inside of it, also known as the Steal Your Face skull. We’ve put many versions of this unique artwork on our mugs, including another run on our Double Barrel stein in Sunfire Red.
DANCING TERRAPINS MUG
Originally, the Dancing Terrapins debuted on the 1977 album Terrapin Station. The musical turtles have graced us with their presence before on our Mid-Day Memories mug for a limited run. They remain one of the most recognizable pieces of artwork that the band has ever produced.
As of 2019, the Dancing Terrapins can also be found on a Greek Goddess mug in our Emerald Blue glaze. This stoneware coffee mug is available on the Dead.net store.
SUNSET HILL STONEWARE’S SPECIAL EDITION MUGS
In the past, we’ve also created some variations on the artwork we provide for the Grateful Dead’s web store. A few of our favorites include the Grateful Dad mug, created for Father’s Day and featuring one of the dancing bears in a necktie; and a Grateful Dog water dish for the hippie hounds of the world.
We also made mugs for the Grateful Dead’s 50-year anniversary in 2015. Featuring the Steal Your Face skull adorned with roses, the Silvery Night mug had the words “The Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion” across the medallion. This was the name of the first track on the Grateful Dead’s first, self-titled debut album.
In conjunction with the 50th anniversary, we also created a very special edition mug for the Fare Thee Well tour. Just in time for the five concerts performed in June and July 2015, it incorporated the dancing bears and Steal Your Face lightning bolt to form an emblem specially for the tour.
After seven years, we’re still bringing Grateful Dead coffee mugs and other merchandise to deadheads all over the world. A Blue Moon mug with the lightning bolt originally inside the skull is also for sale exclusively on Dead.net at time of writing.
We’ve done merchandise for plenty of bands and entertainers over our 20-year history, and we always welcome you to consider our stoneware for your merchandising needs. No matter who we serve though, the Grateful Dead will always hold a special place in our hearts.
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