Dead to get Sirius airtime

NEW YORK, Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Grateful Dead critics said the U.S. band was out there; soon it really will be since Sirius Satellite Radio said it would launch a channel devoted to the group.

The Grateful Dead Channel will kick off Sept. 7 with a special broadcast of a rare 1974 performance at the Hollywood Bowl and be followed by a show hosted by Dead guitarist Bob Weir, Sirius said in a news release.

"This is gonna be one fun channel," Weir said in a statement. "We, the guys in the band, get to be involved as much as we can, and we'll make sure it's fun. We want the fans to be involved as well."

Original programming contributed by bassist Phil Lesh and drummers Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann is also planned.

Other acts with their own 24-hour, commercial-free station include Elvis Presley with Elvis Radio, and Frank Sinatra on Siriusly Sinatra. The company also has dedicated channels to artists such as The Who, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Jimmy Buffet.