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Surprised no nod to their following the path that their heroes blazed (Grateful Dead)

The Dead are explicitly mentioned :

So while Phish undoubtedly has fewer fans than Madonna, the ticket revenue per fan is way higher because fans loyally attend multiple shows. Not since the Grateful Dead has a band built a following as loyal as Phish. And like the Grateful Dead, Phish merchandising is a big business as fans gobble up Phish t-shirts, baby-onesies, and hats.

Yes saw that but no suggestion that perhaps consciously or subconsciously they followed the Dead's template since the article focuses on their business model

The Dead's template started as going on tour, selling LSD until it ran out

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