The iconic voice of the late Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia has been stunningly recreated using artificial intelligence, making it possible for fans to enjoy audiobooks, articles, and a variety of written content narrated in his unmistakable tone. This groundbreaking development is the result of a collaborative effort between Garcia’s estate and the innovative AI voice company, ElevenLabs. Through the ElevenReader app, fans will have the unique opportunity to engage with Garcia’s AI voice, which is capable of fluently reading in over 32 languages. This exciting feature will allow listeners to experience everything from e-books and poetry to personal fan stories and PDFs, bringing a new dimension to the written word.

“My father was a pioneering artist who embraced innovative audio and visual technologies,” stated Keelin Garcia, Jerry’s daughter and co-founder of the Jerry Garcia Foundation. She reminisced about her father’s passion for technology, recalling how he introduced her to computers, digital art, and video games during the 1990s. Their shared moments included playing on a Game Boy during concert tours and exploring creativity on a Macintosh at home, where he crafted his first digital art and experimented with his MIDI guitar. As technology continues to evolve, the partnership with ElevenLabs represents an exciting opportunity for fans to hear a digital rendition of Jerry Garcia’s voice, bringing their favorite books and written content to life in a whole new way.

READ MORE: Top 10 Grateful Dead Songs

Beyond the ElevenReader app, Garcia’s AI voice is set to play a pivotal role in various projects initiated by the Jerry Garcia Foundation. These projects will include narrated documentaries and art exhibits, ensuring that his legacy continues to inspire and engage audiences in innovative ways.

Exploring the Rising Trend of AI Voice Recreation for Late Celebrities

The evolution of artificial intelligence technology has led to a remarkable trend: the recreation of deceased celebrities’ voices. This phenomenon gained significant traction with the recent release of the final Beatles song, “Now and Then,” which utilized similar technology and garnered two Grammy nominations in late 2023. Such advancements not only bring back the essence of these legendary artists but also offer fans a unique experience of hearing their favorite songs and stories.

READ MORE: Why ‘Now and Then’ Was Left Off Beatles’ ‘Anthology’

ElevenLabs has emerged as a key player in the voice modeling arena, featuring their “Iconic Voices” program that includes AI recreations of various iconic figures such as Judy Garland, John Wayne, Burt Reynolds, James Dean, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Dr. Maya Angelou. This initiative highlights the company’s commitment to honoring and preserving cultural legacies through cutting-edge technology.

“At ElevenLabs, we’re dedicated to preserving and celebrating cultural legacies while pushing the boundaries of technology,” stated Dustin Blank, Head of Partnerships at ElevenLabs, during the announcement of Jerry Garcia’s voice integration. “By incorporating iconic voices like Jerry Garcia into our platform, we’re not just enhancing our app but also creating new avenues for audiences to experience content. This project has been a labor of love, and we are thrilled with how beautifully Jerry’s voice has been recreated. It’s a wonderful opportunity to reintroduce his sound to both longtime fans and a new generation of listeners who will appreciate his artistry.”