Fed’s A Head: Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell Talks Grateful Dead + Dead & Company On Capitol Hill

Yesterday, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gave testimony on Capitol Hill to the House Financial Services Committee. Congressman Wiley Nickel, a Democratic member of the committee from North Carolina, used the opportunity to ask Powell about his Grateful Dead fandom and attending Dead & Company‘s recent concert in Bristow, Virginia.

Turns out the current chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System has been a Deadhead for a long time. Powell’s first Grateful Dead show was at RFK Stadium in June 1973 a source told Barron’s. The two-night stand (June 9 and 10, 1973) saw the Dead team up with The Allman Brothers Band and the two shows are among five previously unreleased concerts included in the forthcoming Grateful Dead Here Comes Sunshine 1973 boxed set. Barron’s source also noted Powell likes the strum Dead tunes on guitar in his free time. Additionally, Dead & Company bassist Oteil Burbridge was introduced to the music of the Grateful Dead by Jerome Powell’s sister, Monica Powell.

The Fed Chair’s attendance at the Dead & Company show in Bristow, Virginia back on June 3 was noted thanks to journalist and jam fan Jake Sherman, who shared a picture of Powell at the show on Twitter. “How was the show?” Rep. Wiley Nickel asked after discussing his disappointment that he missed an opportunity to see one of Jerry Garcia’s last concerts in 1995. “It was terrific. what can I say? It was great.” Powell responded. “I’ve been a Grateful Dead fan for 50 years.”

“I’ve found one universal truth, I like people who like the Grateful Dead,” Nickel told the Fed Chair leading Powell to raise his arms in victory. The Representative from North Carolina then gave Powell a chance to expand upon any previous answers given to the committee, which the Fed Chair graciously passed on.

Watch the portion of Wednesday’s testimony regarding the Dead below:

[Hat Tip – Forbes]