Dark Star Orchestra

Dark Star Orchestra
Dark Star Orchestra performing on February 14, 2007 at Freebird Live.
Background information
Origin	Chicago, Illinois, USA
Genres	Rock, psychedelic rock, jam band
Years active	1997–present
Associated acts	Furthur, Zen Tricksters, JGB, Phil Lesh & Friends, The Dead
Website	http://www.darkstarorchestra.net
Members	Lisa Mackey Skip Vangelas Rob Koritz Dino English Rob Eaton Rob Barraco Jeff Mattson
Past members	John Kadlecik Scott Larned Mike Maraat Ahmer Nizam Michael Hazdra Mark Corsolini Dave Campbell John Sabal Bustar Jim Harris David Berg Gregg Koerner Kevin Rosen Tom Ryan Dan Klepinger Stu Allen Jim Allard

Dark Star Orchestra is a Grateful Dead cover band formed in Chicago, Illinois. They serve as a tribute band to the rock group the Grateful Dead. Since 1997, the band has been "continuing the Grateful Dead concert experience."

Dark Star Orchestra performs shows from among the nearly 2,500 performances of the Grateful Dead during their 30-year tenure as fathers of improvisational rock. On most, though not all of their performances, Dark Star Orchestra presents the complete original set list, song by song, and in order, while adapting their phrasing, voice arrangements and specific musical equipment for the various eras of the Grateful Dead shows in which they perform.

Members of the Grateful Dead themselves, including rhythm guitarist/singer Bob Weir, bassist Phil Lesh, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, vocalist Donna Jean Godchaux, and keyboardists Vince Welnick and Tom Constanten, have all appeared on stage and performed with Dark Star Orchestra. In November 2011, the group played its 2,000th show in Ithaca, NY.

Dark Star Orchestra has been playing live shows together since 1997, after guitarist John Kadlecik contacted keyboardist Scott Larned with a concept (introduced by a common friend Andrew "Tiny" Dofner): performing complete Grateful Dead shows out of history. When Scott mentioned having the same idea, John knew they were on to something. Since forming, the band has performed over 2,500 shows.

On lead guitar and vocals, John Kadlecik used amp rigs and equipment to imitate guitar tone of Jerry Garcia from the show being recreated. When a 70s show is being performed, vocalist Lisa Mackey provides Donna Godchaux's female harmonies.

Dino English delivers the rhythmic drumming sounds of Bill Kreutzmann. On the other drum set, Rob Koritz, fills the Mickey Hart role. Kevin Rosen provides a style of bass playing similar to that of Phil Lesh. Rob Eaton performs rhythm guitar and vocals in the style of Bob Weir.