American drummer and percussionist, most famous as a member of The Grateful Dead (from September 1967 until February 1971 and again from October 1974 until their final show in July 1995). Hart was born Michael Steven Hartman on September 11, 1943 in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York (USA). His mother Leah was a bookkeeper but also a drummer and gown maker. His father Lenny was a champion rudimental drummer who would later run Hart Music, selling drums and musical instruments in San Carlos, California (USA), until 1971. The reason Micky Hart was not a member of the Grateful Dead between 1971 and 1974 had to do with his father embezzling the band's money. In the Dead, Hart shared drumming duties with Bill Kreutzmann. Together, Hart & Kreuzmann were nicknamed "the rhythm devils". Both grew up listening to jazz, and Hart also took in Latin early on.