Jerry Garcia

Jerry Garcia, legendary leader of the Grateful Dead, died early today, Marin County sheriff's officials said. Garcia's body was found at 4:23 a.m in his room at Serenity Knolls, a treatment facility in Forest Knolls. Attempts by paramedics to revive him were unsuccessful, a sheriff's officials said. Sheriff's Deputy Doug Allen said Garcia apparently died of natural causes. Garcia, 53, had a history of health problems that caused frequent breaks in The Grateful Dead's grueling concert schedule. In 1986, he was hospitalized in a diabetic coma. He also has admitted past drug abuse. The Grateful Dead has been the most popular act in the United States, grossing tens of millions of dollars each year in its national tours and attracting a nomadic group of fans, called Deadheads, who follow the band from performance to performance.