Legion of Mary, an American rock band formed in 1974, emerged from the collaborative efforts of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead and Merl Saunders, who brought together seasoned musicians John Kahn, Martin Fierro, and Ron Tutt. The ensemble’s first public appearance occurred in July 1974, when they performed a series of shows that blended blues, funk, reggae, and jazz influences into extended improvisational sets. Over the next year, the band released two significant live compilations: The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1, issued by Rhino Records in 2005, and Garcia Live Volume Three, released by ATO Records in 2013, both compiling recordings from 1974 to 1975. In December 1974, a complete concert at Keystone, Berkeley, was later issued as Pure Jerry: Keystone Berkeley, September 1, 1974 by Pure Jerry Records in December 2004. The band disbanded in July 1975 after approximately sixty performances, and the group’s legacy endures through these posthumous releases that capture their eclectic live sound.
