Legendary Bay Area band sets possibly ‘most unlikely’ record in music history

The Grateful Dead has just set an amazing record.

The legendary Bay Area jam band, which formed in 1965 and kept right on “Truckin’” until the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995, has just notched the all-time record for the most Top 40 albums on the Billboard 200.

The group set the record when its latest archival release — “Dave’s Picks Vol. 49” — debuted at No. 25 on the most recent chart. It marks the band’s 59th album to chart in the Top 40.

The group had previously been part of a three-way tie for the record with Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra.

But now the Grateful Dead stands alone.

“This could be the most unlikely and unexpected record in music history, and is a testament to a few things,” says Grateful Dead archivist David Lemieux, who is the Dave in “Dave’s Picks.” “First and foremost is the exceptional and consistent quality of the Grateful Dead’s more than 2,000 live shows. On the heels of this is the loyalty and passion of the many Dead Heads who have made this record possible.

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“And to top it off, the Grateful Dead have a partnership with Rhino that ensures these many album releases are produced with care, love, and respect for both the band’s music and legacy, and the Dead Heads themselves. It’s an honor and privilege to work for this community, and our aim is to keep building on this record by delivering the quality of recordings Dead Heads have come to expect for many years ahead.”

“Dave’s Picks Vol. 49” is also No. 1 on this week’s Billboard’s Top Album Sales, which — amazingly — marks the fist time the Grateful Dead have topped that chart.

This news follows the announcement that the popular Grateful Dead offshoot Dead & Company is set to perform a lengthy residency at the Sphere in Las Vegas.