This story is featured in CityBeat's March 6 print edition.
The Grateful Dead’s music has brought joy to many people for decades. When Jerry Garcia passed away in 1995, the band came to an end, leaving fans wanting more and more. Zach Nugent, guitarist and vocalist, now leads the Dead Set, a cover band carrying out Garcia’s legacy, performing the Grateful Dead’s greatest hits.
Nugent’s obsession and respect for the Grateful Dead began when he was just 3 years old. At age 12, the first song he learned on guitar was “Ripple.” Nugent grew up in Burlington, Vermont, and first began performing Grateful Dead songs at Nectar’s Restaurant with other local Deadheads. What started as informal weekly gatherings soon led to Nugent’s formation of the Dead Set. Although the members tend to stay the same now, it started with many rotations of other Deadheads performing in the group. Nugent’s success has done nothing but skyrocket over time, and his varying tour sets have gone from city to city around the U.S.
Zach Nugent’s Dead Set plays Ludlow Garage on March 7 at 7:30 p.m. Info: ludlowgaragecincinnati.com.
