Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia

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Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia is the first wife of Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist and lead vocalist for The Grateful Dead. Their marriage only lasted two years, but throughout that time she remained a visible member of the Grateful Dead community. She was an active member of the band’s fanbase, known as “Deadheads” and frequently attended shows even after her divorce from Jerry in 1985. Read on to learn more about Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia and her impact on the lives of others.

Who is Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia?

Carolyn Adams, who went by “Mountain Girl” during her time with The Grateful Dead, was born in San Francisco, California in 1952. She began dating Jerry Garcia, who became the lead guitarist and lead vocalist of The Grateful Dead, in 1971. They were married on February 16, 1972. They had one son together, Brian, who was born in 1970. Garcia and Adams had a very “open” marriage, which meant that Garcia was allowed to have multiple partners, as many as he wished. This agreement was a source of tension in their relationship, and the couple divorced in February, 1985.

Background

Throughout her relationship with Jerry Garcia, Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia also maintained a close friendship with fellow Deadhead, Bob Weir. They met in 1974, and remained close friends through the rest of their lives. When Weir was going through a divorce, Moutain Girl was able to provide support and guidance to him. Mountain Girl was also the person who coined the term “Deadheads,” which is the name used to refer to the fans of The Grateful Dead. She created the term while writing a song, and it was instantly embraced by the band. Mountain Girl became particularly involved with the growing Deadhead community when she started writing a newsletter called Dead letters in 1979. The newsletter allowed her to share her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with Deadheads across the world. The newsletter gained such a large following that Mountain Girl was able to use it to promote her own products, such as clothing, jewelry, and publications.

Relationship with Jerry Garcia

Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia and Jerry Garcia met in the summer of 1971, and began dating shortly thereafter. The two were married just two short years later, on February 16, 1972. Although their relationship was tumultuous, they stayed together until their divorce in February, 1985. The two had one son together, Brian, who was born in 1970. Garcia and Adams had a very “open” marriage, which meant that Garcia was allowed to have multiple partners, as many as he wished. This agreement was a source of tension in their relationship, and the couple divorced in February, 1985.

Marriage to Jerry Garcia

Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia and Jerry Garcia were married on February 16, 1972. Their marriage lasted only two years, but throughout that time she remained a visible member of the Grateful Dead community. After their divorce, Garcia paid her an annual income of $5,000 for the rest of her life. In 1979, Garcia met a woman named Deborah Koons. She was a photographer and visual artist, and she quickly became a part of Garcia’s close circle of friends. Garcia and Koons began a romantic relationship in 1981, and they were married in February, 1986. This was the second marriage for both Garcia and Koons.

The Grateful Dead’s First Wife

Carolyn "Mountain Girl" Garcia was the first wife of Jerry Garcia, lead guitarist and lead vocalist for The Grateful Dead. Their marriage only lasted two years, but throughout that time she remained a visible member of the Grateful Dead community. She was an active member of the band’s fanbase, known as “Deadheads” and frequently attended shows even after her divorce from Jerry in 1985. Mountain Girl also became particularly involved with the growing Deadhead community when she started writing a newsletter called Dead letters in 1979. The newsletter allowed her to share her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with Deadheads across the world. The newsletter gained such a large following that Mountain Girl was able to use it to promote her own products, such as clothing, jewelry, and publications.

Final Thoughts

Jerry Garcia died in August of 1995, and his death was a tremendous loss for the music world. During their time together, Garcia and Mountain Girl had a passionate, tumultuous relationship, and they were married for only two years. Their divorce was finalized in 1985, but they continued to remain in each other’s lives. Mountain Girl became particularly involved with the growing Deadhead community when she started writing a newsletter called Dead letters in 1979. The newsletter allowed her to share her thoughts, feelings, and experiences with Deadheads across the world. The newsletter gained such a large following that Mountain Girl was able to use it to promote her own products, such as clothing, jewelry, and publications. By the time of her death, in April of 2019, Mountain Girl had become a prominent member of the Deadhead community.