open 12 to 7 today ! on this date in 1973 ! Wake of the Flood is the sixth studio alb** by the Grateful Dead. It was recorded between August 4 and September 1, 1973, and originally released on October 15, 1973. It was the first release under the band's own label, Grateful Dead Records, after fulfilling their contract with Warner Bros. Records. It was their first full-length studio alb** in nearly three years, since 1970's American Beauty. It was also the first studio alb** without Ron Pigpen McKernan, who had recently died. His absence and new piano player Keith Godchaux's tendency towards jazz (rather than McKernan's tendency towards the blues) changed the band's sound.
