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Bill Walton Was a Hardcore Deadhead. A New Auction Proves It

Rare signed Grateful Dead memorabilia, posters, setlists, and more are included in a new auction of the late NBA legend Bill Walton's possessions

Anyone familiar with the world of the Grateful Dead knows that one of the band’s most devoted and excitable fans was the late Bill Walton, the illustrious Hall of Fame NBA center who died in May 2024 at 71. But to get a sense of how tight he was with the band, how far back that connection went, and how much memorabilia he stashed away, a just-unveiled auction of items from his personal collection will provide a touch of bounce. Among the goodies are limited-edition prints of the Europe ’72 front and back album covers signed by artist Stanley Mouse ($500 to $1,000); 13 tour books dating back to 1986 (listing itineraries, hotels where the band members were staying, and other workaday information, $250 to $500 total); the “Uncle Sam skeleton” artwork used in The Grateful Dead Movie($500 to $1,000); and a drum cymbal autographed by the band’s Eighties lineup, including Brent Mydland ($5,000 to $7,500).

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