Grateful Dead drummer coming to Naperville

One of the founding members of the Grateful Dead, drummer Bill Kreutzmann, will be in Naperville May 16 to discuss his new memoir, “Deal,” and to field questions from fans.

Sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop, Kreutzmann and co-author Benjy Eisen will appear at 2 p.m. at Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane. Kreutzmann is expected to discuss stories in his book along with the three-year writing process that he says included psychedelic rooftop adventures in Central America and “vision quests” in Hawaii.

Tickets are required and available at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., in downtown Naperville or online at www.andersonsbookshop.com. All members of the audience will receive a pre-signed book with their ticket. Additional information is available at (630) 355-2665.

Kreutzmann was the drummer for every one of the Dead's more than 2,300 concerts and all its albums from its creation in 1965 until it disbanded in 1995, and his book provides an up-close account of playing in one of the best improvisational bands of all time. The group — which also featured Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, Ron “Pigpen” McKernan, and Phil Lesh — shared the stage with performers such as Janis Joplin and Bob Dylan and performed at the Monterey Pop Festival, Woodstock and Altamont.

He now lives on an organic farm in Hawaii and continues to perform with bands including Billy and the Kids.

His co-author and manager has written for Rolling Stone and Esquire and is currently working on his first novel while living in San Francisco.

If you go

What: Grateful Dead drummer Bill Kreutzmann discusses new book

When: 2 p.m. May 16

Where: Community Christian Church, 1635 Emerson Lane, Naperville

Tickets: Available at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville

Info: andersonsbookshop.com