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Benjammin Strebel is a visionary artist whose custom tie-dye clothing and tapestries have been adorned by numerous legends including the Grateful Dead, Ken Kesey, Willie Nelson, Wavy Gravy, Robbie Krieger, Ben Harper, Dave Mathews, The Allman Brothers Band, String Cheese Incident, 7 Walkers, Dark Star Orchestra, George Porter Jr., and The Meters. He is the Founder of Benjammin Dyes and his designs have been licensed by Croakies for an exclusive line of sunglass straps and belts.

History

After selling his tie-dye designs out of the back of his van at Grateful Dead shows, several of his pieces eventually made their way to the eyes of several band members. As a result, Jerry Garcia became one of Strebel’s biggest supporters, inviting him to showcase his art to some of counter-culture’s biggest influencers including Ken Kesey, Wavy Gravy, Jon Popper, Kirk Hammer, and Tom Constantan. One of his first custom pieces was for Robby Krieger of The Doors.

In 1993, Strebel had one of his tapestries filmed by Grateful Dead Lighting Director, Candace Brightman. The footage was subsequently turned into video that was shown behind the Grateful Dead during their stadium shows. Until Garcia’s passing in 1995, Strebel’s tie-dye backdrops became a featured element of Brightman’s Grateful Dead light show.

Furthering Strebel’s influence on the Grateful Dead, Phil Lesh was photographed in the 1999-2000 edition of Relix Magazine wearing one of Strebel’s tie dye t-shirts. Lesh also wore one of his shirts on stage, marking the first time Lesh had worn a tie-dye t-shirt since Jerry Garcia’s memorial.

File:Phil Lesh in Benjammin Dyes.jpg

Phil Lesh Wearing Benjammin Dyes

Strebel’s custom designs have made their way onto national television and in front of thousands as artists from the Grateful Dead and beyond have chosen to wear his work on stage. In 2007, Phil Lesh and Friends keyboardist Rob Barraco wore one of Strebel’s designs when the band played on the David Letterman Show. Drummer John Molo also wore one of Strebel’s designs when he played on stage with John Fogerty during Farm Aid. A CNN interview showcased Strebel’s art to a national audience when his dragon fly tapestry was behind the Grateful Dead as they were interviewed live during their 2002 Alpine Valley reunion.

Strebel currently produces light shows and creates tie-dye stage backdrops for numerous musicians. His work can frequently be seen at all 7 Walkers shows as well as music festivals such as High Sierra, Harmony Festival, Bears Picnic, Live on the Bay, Trinity Tribal Stomp, Earthdance Festival, Reggae on the River, Jam Cruise, and many more.

In June 2012, Strebel opened Jammin on Haight, a new boutique located on the historic corner of Haight and Masonic Streets in San Francisco.