Grateful Dead Shares Previously Unreleased ‘St. Stephen’ West Coast Debut From Graphic Novel Soundtrack

On August 21, 1968, the Grateful Dead presented the first known West Coast version of “St. Stephen” at the Fillmore West in San Francisco as well as what is thought to be the debut of the song’s “William Tell Bridge.” Previously unreleased audio of the track, which can be streamed below, accompanies the graphic novel Grateful Dead Origins due out via Z2 Comics on August 4.

Grateful Dead Origins focuses on the band’s early days and includes the story of the band’s formation. Chris Miskiewicz wrote the graphic novel, which features Noah Van Sciver’s illustrations. A deluxe version of the tome comes with vinyl containing previously unreleased audio from the Dead’s August 21, 1968 show at Fillmore West.

Rolling Stone premiered audio of the historic “St. Stephen” and an excerpt from Grateful Dead Origins detailing the band’s 1969 appearance on Playboy After Dark. Head here to check out the excerpt and stream “St. Stephen” below: