Grateful Dead Family Discography: Tough Mama

Tough Mama

Composer: Bob Dylan

Tough Mama was soundchecked by the Grateful Dead in 1995 but never played live.

The song was performed live by Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders in 1974, by Legion of Mary in 1975 and by the Jerry Garcia Band between 1975 and 1990. It was also played by the Keith And Donna Band with Jerry Garcia sitting in, in 1975. Phil Lesh & Friends played Tough Mama a number of times.

Tough Mama was recorded by Bob Dylan, with The Band, in November 1973 and released on the Planet Waves album.

Jerry Garcia

How Sweet It Is, Jerry Garcia Band, 1997
Pure Jerry: Keystone Berkeley, September 1, 1974, Jerry Garcia & Merl Saunders Band, 2004
The Jerry Garcia Collection, Vol. 1: Legion of Mary, Legion Of Mary, 2005
Garcia Plays Dylan, Jerry Garcia Band / Grateful Dead, 2005
Jerry Garcia: The Collected Artwork: Collectors Edition CD, Jerry Garcia Band / Grateful Dead / Garcia-Grisman, 2007
Garcia Live: Vol Ten: May 20, 1990, Jerry Garcia Band, 2018
Garcia Live: Vol 18: Nov 2, 1974, Garcia / Saunders, 2022

Bob Dylan

Planet Waves, Bob Dylan, 1974
no info Bob Dylan Revisited: The Reissue Series, Bob Dylan, 2003
no info The Complete Album Collection Vol. One, Bob Dylan, 2013

Other recordings

Unfamiliar Territory, Sandoz, 1989
Wanee Music Festival, Live Oaks, FL, April 13, 2011, Melvin Seals & JGB, 2011
Mr Bob's Blue Devils, Clas Yngström & Big Tex Three, 2012

The song also appears on a number of Black Crowes and Chris Robinson Band concert releases.