Phish has a diehard fan base and a dedicated community of enthusiasts-called Phishheads-who follow the band around the country, attending every show. What may be surprising is that a significant percentage of those fans are Jewish. Two members of the band-bassist Mike Gordon and drummer Jonathan Fishman-were raised in Jewish households, and Jewish fans celebrate that heritage with great excitement. At live shows, many attendees, some wearing T-shirts emblazoned with "Phish" written in Hebrew letters, express feeling something special-even distinctly Jewish-during their performances. As this book shows, Phish is one avenue through which many Jews find cultural and spiritual fulfillment outside the confines of traditional and institutional Jewish life. In effect, Phish fandom and the live Phish experience act as a microcosm through which we see American Jewish religious and cultural life manifest in unique and unexpected spaces. Featuring an interview with Mike Gordon and a collection of fascinating photographs, This Is Your Song Too is an in-depth look at Jewishness in the Phish universe that also provides a deeper understanding of how spirituality, ritual, and identity function in the world of rock and roll. In addition to the editors, the contributors include Evan S. Benn, Dean Budnick, Jacob A. Cohen, Benjamin David, Jessy Dressin, Josh Fleet, Mike Greenhaus, Joshua S. Ladon, Noah Munro Lehrman, Caroline Rothstein, and Isaac Kandall Slone.
