On May 5, 1965 an 18-year-old Bill Kreutzmann was behind the drum kit at Magoo’s Pizza Parlor in Menlo Park, California asplayed their first formal gig. Two days later on May 7, 1965 he would turn 19 and soon after The Warlocks would become the. And now, today, some 50 years later we’re celebrating Billy’s 69th birthday.The Dead’s timekeeper kept rhythm for the entirety of the band’s storied career, which he will celebrate at the five Fare Thee Well shows this summer. His current band,featuring guitarist, bassistand keyboardistwill appear at Dear Jerry: Celebrating The Music Of Jerry Garcia at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland next week and at Washington, D.C.’s 9:30 Club one day prior. Billy is also currently out on a book signing tour in support of his just released memoir Deal: My Three Decades of Drumming, Dreams and Drugs with The Grateful Dead.In honor Billy K.’s 69th year we’re spotlighting a playlist he curated of his favorite Grateful Dead tracks available on Spotify. The tracks were put together for Zumic and capture the band in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s.There’s a heavy focus on the 1970s and the renowned August 27, 1972 Veneta, Oregon show in particular.Billy will be at the Bookends book store in Ridgewood, New Jersey tonight signing copies of Deal beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Head down and wish him happy birthday if you happen to be nearby.