[1][2][3] The video combines footage from the early years of the Grateful Dead with 1997 interviews of former band members and associates.

Phil Lesh, Mickey Hart, Bob Weir, Robert Hunter, and David Grisman, among others, discuss the creation of 1968's experimental, psychedelic Anthem of the Sun and 1970's folk-rock classic American Beauty.

They also listen to and analyze the original master recordings for the albums, and talk about being in (or working with) the Grateful Dead at that time.

[4] Keyboardist Tom Constanten discusses the artificiality of appearing on Hugh Hefner's show Playboy After Dark.

David Grisman plays his full version of the mandolin part for Ripple, as he had intended.