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A podcast dedicated to testing Grateful Dead fandom has become an unexpected hit among devoted fans. “Guess the Year,” which launched in October 2022, challenges participants to identify the recording year of live Grateful Dead tracks based on musical clues such as vocal techniques, instrumentation, and song selection. Host Mike McClure created the show after recruiting contestants through the band’s online community, initially uncertain whether the concept would resonate.
The format mirrors a game show structure where multiple Deadheads join a video call and silently submit their guesses through chat before McClure reveals the correct answer. Those furthest from the actual year are eliminated in each round. What distinguishes the podcast is its lack of pretension—McClure deliberately maintains a conversational atmosphere rather than showcasing expertise, drawing inspiration from the late Alex Trebek’s hosting style.
The show has attracted surprising participants, from industry figures like Phil Lesh’s sons to notable guests who curate song selections for episodes. McClure emphasized that expertise is not required to appear on the program, stating that interested fans simply need to contact him. Beyond the competition itself, eliminated contestants share personal stories about how they discovered the Grateful Dead, offering insights into fans’ deeper connections with the band and its music.
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Originally reported by Rollingstone →
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