Jerry Garcia mural defaced in Denver

DENVER, Nov. 16 (UPI) —

The owner of a Denver bar said an outdoors mural of the Grateful Dead’s Jerry Garcia was defaced shortly after it was put up to replace a Johnny Cash mural.

Jay Bianchi, owner of Quixote’s True Blue, said he replaced the Cash mural with Garcia when he took over the site — which previously housed Bender’s 13th Ave. Tavern — to reflect the difference between the old bar and his facility, The Denver Post reported Friday.

"We are not a Johnny Cash bar," he said. "But we are art lovers."

Bianchi said he understands the motive behind last week’s vandalism.

"People get angry over change," Bianchi said. "I am actually kind of happy people care so much they are willing to fight for it."

Bianchi said the mural will be replaced, but he has not yet decided whether it will depict Garcia.