Guess the Year

5/19/25

This week, journalist, author, and music critic Joel Selvin curates the setlist as returning champ Phil is joined by Brian, John, and Paul.
Joel was the longtime pop music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle and has written about rock and roll for over 40 years. He’s the author of many books, including Fare Thee Well: The Final Chapter of the Grateful Dead’s Long, Strange Trip and Altamont: The Rolling Stones, the Hells Angels, and the Inside Story of Rock’s Darkest Day. His latest book, Drums & Demons: The Tragic Journey of Jim Gordon, is out everywhere now. It tells the story of Jim Gordon, the legendary drummer who laid down drums on classics like “Layla,” “God only Knows,” “Good Vibrations,” and many more— before a descent into undiagnosed schizophrenia led him to murder his mother and spend the rest of his life in prison.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Order Drums and Demons
Joel's Website
Guess the Year's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram

5/12/25

This week, Brian Anderson, author of the upcoming Loud and Clear: The Grateful Dead's Wall of Sound and the Quest for Audio Perfection, curates the setlist as returning champ Denis is joined by Matty, Michael, and Phil.
Brian Anderson has been a Webby Award-winning senior features editor, writer, and producer at VICE. More recently, he did a stint running the Science desk at The Atlantic, where he was part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning team for pandemic coverage, and was later a senior editor at Vox. Loud and Clear is available for pre-order now.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Pre-order Loud and Clear
Brian's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram

5/5/25

This week, senior writer at Rolling Stone Angie Martoccio curates the setlist as returning champ Zak is joined by Jackson, Denis, and Josh.
Angie has written cover stories on Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, and Boygenius, and interviewed icons like Stevie Nicks, Neil Young, and recently, Bob Weir. Her award-winning work often highlights overlooked women in music history.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Angie's Instagram
Angie's Interview w/ Bob
Angie's Rolling Stone author page
Eric Mlyn's What a Long Strange Trip: The Grateful Dead and American Cultural Change
Guess the Year's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram

4/28/25

This week, Bob Bralove curates the setlist as returning champ Corey is joined by Zak, Dave, and Isaac.
Bob Bralove is a musician and producer who worked with Stevie Wonder and the Grateful Dead, helping pioneer the use of synthesizers in live performance. He has continued to release his own music, including his new album with violinist Patti Weiss, Acoustic Conversations. 
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Bob's Instagram
Bob's Website
Acoustic Conversations
Guess the Year's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram

4/21/25

This week, Parsons School of Design lecturer Annabelle Walsh curates the setlist as returning champ Pete is joined by Adam, Tomas, and Corey.
Annabelle investigates the intersections of subculture, fashion theory, and material culture. Her thesis project at Parsons was entitled Fashion is Dead: The Long Strange History of Deadhead Style. She has presented at the Dead Studies Association Conference.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Annabelle's Instagram
Deadhead Style Archive (submit stories and photos via deadheadstylearchive@gmail.com)
Guess the Year's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram

Season 2 Tournament of Champions Final

This week, author, historian, and Grateful Dead publicist Dennis McNally curates the setlist as former champs Steve, Pete, and Gavin face off in the Season 2 Tournament of Champions final.
Dennis wrote the introduction for The Silver Snarling Trumpet: The Birth of the Grateful Dead―The Lost Manuscript of Robert Hunter, which is available now.
Thanks to Ellisa for providing a beautiful painting of Jerry Garcia as the winner's prize, and Shelburne Farms for hooking up the second and third place finishers with prize packs as well. As always, thank you to 30k ft. for creating the show poster.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, provide a prize pack, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
The Silver Snarling Trumpet
Dennis McNally's Website
Ellisa's Instagram
Shelburne Farms
Steve's Podcast, Trying to Be Better w/ Joel and Steve
30k ft's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram

An Interview With Chuck Klosterman

Bestselling author Chuck Klosterman joins the show to give his (non-Deadhead) take on the Grateful Dead. Chuck dishes on why the Dead are tied for 4th on his list of greatest American bands, the Dead's politics, John Mayer's guitar playing, separating the art from the artist, and lots more.
Chuck's newest release, The Nineties: A Book, is available in paperback now. This episode is brought to you by Scarlet Fire Hot Sauce. The show poster was created by 30k ft. 
We'll be back next week with the Tournament of Champions final.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, provide a prize pack, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
The Nineties: A Book
Chuck's Website
Scarlet Fire Hot Sauce
30k ft's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram

Tournament of Champions: Heat #3

This week, Sam Coturri from Winery Sixteen 600 and The Wine Makers podcast curates the setlist as former champs Aron, Pete, and CJ face off. Thanks to Winery Sixteen 600 for providing this week's prize pack. As always, thank you to 30k ft. for creating the show poster.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, provide a prize pack, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Winery Sixteen 600
The Wine Makers
Aron's Instagram
30k ft's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram

Europe '24: Germany

This week, German Deadheads Uwe, Wolfgang, Frank, and Hubertus join for a special Europe '24 episode. This week's prize pack was generously provided by the official Grateful Dead Tarot Cards.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, provide a prize pack, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
Grateful Dead Tarot Cards
30k ft's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram

Tournament of Champions: Heat #2

This week, John Henrikson, host of The Deadpod, curates the setlist as former champs Gunnar, Gavin, Edward, and Brett face off. As always, thank you to 30k ft. for creating the show poster.
To be a contestant, sponsor the show, provide a prize pack, or ask questions/make comments, please email:
info@guesstheyear.net
More Links
The Deadpod
30k ft's Instagram
Guess the Year's Instagram