Grateful Dead to live again

First live gig since the death of Garica (second right)

The first reunion concert by Grateful Dead members since the death of Jerry Garcia in 1995 has finally been given the go ahead after initially being blocked by authorities in Wisconsin.

The two-day event on 3 and 4 August will be the first reunion for the band since founder and leader Garcia died of a heart attack in 1995.

Mickey Hart, Bill Kreutzmann, Phil Lesh and Bob Weir are to perform under the banner The Other Ones at Terrapin Station - A Grateful Dead Family Reunion.

Permission was first refused over concerns that 200,000 people be attracted to a venue which fits only 35,000.

The Grateful Dead continue to have a large fan base

The board also expressed fears that its 80 sheriffs would not be able to cope with the expected numbers of fans.

But concert promoters Clear Channel appealed and resubmitted plans with tighter security and emergency procedures.

Sell out

Both shows are already sold out and Clear Channel promised to launch a campaign to discourage people who don't have tickets from showing up.

The group's career has been on hold since the death of Garcia in 1995.

He was diagnosed with diabetes after a collapse in 1986, and collapsed again in 1991.

His continuing drug problems led to a stint in a clinic where he died of a heart attack.

But the group has continued to release albums of live material from their long career, which began in 1965, with their first album release, Grateful Dead, coming two years later.