JERRY GARCIA fans got the surprise of their lives when their attempt to bring the famous former rocker back from the grateful dead went horribly awry. 

The experiment with nature began in late 2036, when a small group of die-hard Dead Heads hired the world-famous Godlike Institute of Manufactured Nature to produce a clone of their #1 idol.  The DNA was gathered from an assortment of Garcia's used Kleenexes and discarded fingernail and hair clippings, collected during the fan group's youthful travels with the band. 

The cloning attempt seemed at first to be a resounding success.  The Jerry clone was synthesized and placed in patented Fast-Grow solution for 36 months, emerging as the equivalent of an 18-year-old with an already budding interest in rock and guitar.  Within months he had formed a band known as the Grateful Undead, playing in popular venues worldwide for several years, to the delight of the aged Dead Heads.

Then, the weirdness began.

For reasons as yet not fully understood by scientists, the Jerry clone began sprouting what appeared to be roses where grizzled brown hair once grew, as his skin slowly turned into a substance resembling compost, revealing the skeleton of his former greatness underneath.

"We're baffled," said lead cloning specialist Dr. Pete Treedish, "although we theorize the mishap may be related to cross-contamination resulting from an employee's use of the clone's Fast-Grow incubation bath to water her flower garden." 

"Mistakes happen," said an understanding Dead Head, "the Institute has given us a gift card for a free do-over.  We've planted Jerry clone #1 in a nice spot in the back yard, and we'll all take turns watering him."