Grateful Dead

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We appreciate your post grately!

Thanks Gypsy Soul. It is wonderful. Rebecca Adams, the sociologist in it, opened the Unbroken Chain conference at Amherst last week . She was among the first academics to really take the dead seriously. Her work is wonderful.

Jerry Garcia, Pigpen, Ramrod and other Dead members left this world with plenty of memories, music and hard work. A walk through any mall will find Jerry Garcia ties. His artistry went beyond multi-hour musical jams. What the Grateful Dead gave us and continue to give won't be replaced in my life time because people closest to me won't ever let them go away.

nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

for the posts, I am grateful :)

i really think that was a wonderful documentary on everything the band meant to us and what we mean to each other. nicely done and i'm glad someone put it up on youtube. one more thing to be grateful for!! nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

thankx. cool vids!

isn't it grate when we all work together?? nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

.. just enjoyed this vid...a fascinating and welcome diversion after a long hard day of work Thanks Gypsy Soul. PS Have now relocated to a somewhat less dodgy hotel too.

it's so cosmic that i stumbled upon that vid and ms adams was just at the umass thing. man it just blows my mind. glad to hear your in better digs now badger!! nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile

Interesting topic..I'm 44 and a sales professional and it still amazing to me that people think that "dead heads" are some sort of virus. I think that unless you have "experienced" the dead in your own way...and we all have our own stories....One should really not comment on the validity of our sub culture. The guy who has seen 12 shows and has "got on" with his life is just kidding himself since he still listens to his 1000+ hours of tapes. Most people moved on to Phish or some other live band. Is that really moving on or just trying to find an outlet for the loss of the "original dead"? Better yet are they trying to find the next Grateful Dead. Even the spin offs have been fine to me because they are not trying to copy the original, they just want to bring us the music that has brought us together as a community. The scene (before that gate crashers) was a huge part of the Dead. The music was just one of the vehicles that brought us together. History is history and we learn about it in school in some fashion or another. The Dead is part of American history, and for some of us it was more personal. So I would argue that anyone that has followed the Dead has really moved on. We still think about the old times and we incorporate those ideals and memories into our new ventures and musical appetites. It's funny that most people say they have moved on, and I would bet that the vast majority of them are clinging on to their old cassettes. I have moved on to other interests, but the Dead will always be a part of me and my life and It would be imposable to shut them out. Gee the guy who has moved on is posting on a Dead site....go figure --Tom Hohbach

AND VERY WELL SAID. THANK YOU TOM!

I must say that I was fortunate to see the band 20 or so times. Iam 35 and really discovered them in 88. Over the years I have made it a point to discover more and more about the band and the philosophy of their music. I listen to the GD or JGB everday, and I always get something out of it. Just as I did when I saw them live. I always made it a point to get and have tickets. Especially on Rex Foundation days, I felt that it was important. I did not like the parking lot scene. Although I can't say that I never had fun, but it was all about the music for me. I grew up and still live near Sacramento so Cal Expo was where I saw my first show. I feel fortunate for that. I saw them out of state and made an adventure out of it, and loved it. So as far as getting a life, Iam just living it. It just so happens that listening to the GD is very therapeutic in that sense. They were more than just a band, and the legacy helps me sort out a lot. I lost my Dad to cancer four years ago and I have struggled with addiction since. Iam winning that battle today. Through all of my struggles the music is there for me like an old friend. I think what is so special is that the true story in the music is what the listener gets out of it. Perception is different for all of us, and thats particularly what I enjoy the most. The variety of ideals and perception meeting in the middle to form classic story lines of life. Anyway, thats all I can think of, Iam gonna go live my life. Thanks, KR

I can't believe that it's been so long, but I have to say that I don't think that the Dead or Jerry will ever truly die. Nothing that good dies.

I always thought this question of moving on related more to ticketless parking lot heads. I was watching "Tie Dyed" and "End of the Road" recently and wondered what became of these folk. The ones who lived in vans and buses, rarely if ever went to shows, and lived off of selling their wares and scoring the odd miracle. There were some cool folk (especially if they were older heads from the 60's), and some that were downright creepy (usually the younger ones around my age that showed up post Touch of Grey). The vendors who had a code of ethics seemed cool with the exception of the nitrous jerks. Where are these people now? The poor guy from Boston who lost his dog, the weird chick who talked about her friend seeing an angel; the friends of "Pokey"; Billy, his son Timothy Wind, and that freaky kid who went on about Jerry's fingers; the chick with the dreads who said f*k love, there's too many cuties..etc. I wonder if they moved on, or grew wiser, or morphed into right wing freaks, or stuck with what they were doing but simply adjusted. For us 9 to 5ers, its easy to have the music. But what about for those whose lives revolved around the dead lifestyle? Like Chad Smith of the Chili Peppers said the day after Jerry's death, what are all these people gonna do now? Not the fans that go to shows but the traveling gypsys. Anyone got any ideas? Rainbow Gathering? 21st Century communes?

I've always wondered that myslef. Watching Gypsy Souls' video, I saw a totally spaced out dude in the lot and thought, man I hope he's doing okay. Wellbeams to all the lot folk PEACE

I never had the privilege of seeing a Live show....But as a musician , I can say this music has Style, reality , it spoke and continues too speak to my soul each time I listen to it.... it is as much a part of my "Life" as almost anything I ever played or heard musically.....I am blessed for hearing it as well as for having a wife that loves it too.. get a Life ? I got one....It must suck for people who live with such negativity, that they tell others too get a Life..

I hate to call them lot people, but I think for them to survive the way they did, they must of had an inner strength. I personally always have to have a HOME. I could never live the life of a gypsy, although it would be fun at times. As for life after the DEAD, I will always listen and read what goes on in the world of the Grateful Dead. My son who is now all of 2 months old is already listening to the music. Hopefully he will grow and carry on my torch. Peace everyone and Merry Christmas!!!!

Jimi Hendrix Turns Eighty, a novel written by Tim Sandlin is something everyone thats ever been on the bus MUST read. It is a hysterical and often bittersweet tale of the Mission Pascadero nursing home twenty years from now in the bay area, housing every representative of the Haight era. Its funny. Let me put it this way, they start a revolution based on mistreatment and take on THE MAN by taking full control of the facility. The Govenor of California is none other than....Dixie (Drew) Barrymore! Enjoy the ride!Jimi Hendrix Turns Eighty, Tim Sandlin

Like Shakespeare, the Dead is timeless and will always be... Everyday there are new dead heads being born to this world and will grow up to somehow, someway begin enjoying The Grateful Deads music. There will always be dead heads in the world, old and young.Eventually there will be a generation of dead heads who will never have experienced a live show or even a gathering for that matter, but will love their music. There are people who are dead heads and don't know it! Either way, I was listening to the dead long before I knew I was a dead head.The music just hit home for me. Its where its at for me. I'm surprised the rest of the world hasn't caught on by now but whatever. There are so many songs and sounds that anyone should be able to find at least one they can identify with or like for whatever reason. Its universal timeless music. Rock N Roll!

There isn't a band out there that can put me in the kind of state the Dead put me in everytime I hear a song. As silly as it sounds, I like the fact they make me smile everytime and that I feel just a little bit better after. I've heard comments from the non-belivers that it's all about nostalgia but I don't buy that at all! I just wish the boys would realize that time's a wastin and summer is around the corner.

since i had my first dead experience (..and thats 26 years now),i lost interest in anything that comes out of music buisness.My dreams became true when i had 3 possibilities to see them in concert which steamed up my interest in their music by lightyears and in fact until today if i want to settle down,having a good time than the only band i turn to are the dead !!sure as the day goes by i listen to music from elsewhere,but when i think about it,its mostly dead oriented.How could we be living in th past?with jerry passing away the GD where over.but that was the end of the band.not of an era!and here we are 12 years later and going through the forums there must be millions of people out there who love this band as if it stil was around.in fact i think that the boys influenced the world in a way we may never know,but they were playing hundreds of gigs in front of thousands every year.they played at universitys(dead at cornell,my alltime favorit)and if you count this together than there must REALLY have been millions of people who got a grasp of deaddom and we never know how these guys change the world we live in(think of jason lanier)but one is for sure.a huge musical legacy is left and as long as there is one new tune one can listen to,than we are present,past and future!

Nicely put Frankly!

To answer the first question succinctly; there are a lot of us here, so it's not over, just different. But I'm here to pose a different question (possibly a related but new topic). This is a rather awkward query that requires a real leap of faith, and answers may not be forthcoming...yet. The debate about the "the afterlife" is as old as mankind. Answers range from "there is none" to "melting back into the great spirit/reincarnation" to "entities intact on the 'other side'". I personally don't pretend to know, but there HAVE been some very odd personal experiences in the vicinity of a loved one's passing that have piqued my interest. I was intrigued enough to read books by several mediums, who contend from their own experiences that there are intact entities "there". These entities reportedly usually congregate with other deceased former family members and loved ones, and also reportedly engage in activities in their other-side alternate-time/timeless state ranging from teaching and orientation, to menial activities such as playing checkers with their Grandad Joe. So my query is; Does anyone have a "medium" story to suggest that Deadheads congregate on the other side? This may be a premature question as there aren't a load of dead DeadHeads (20 years' time might be a more appropriate time to start compiling stories, if they exist), but if the dearly departed DO what they liked to do in life, then it would follow that like souls (possibly misfit souls?) would attract. I presume this would be a philosophical question at present, but would be curious if such reports will emerge (particularly from notable mediums) in time. Does anyone have a story to get the ball rolling?

i believe you make a little mistake,there has to be thousands of us who stayed beside the road while the bus kept rolling....pigpen,keith,brent,jerry,vince...and thts only the group!how many lost there life on the road(i said life,NOT SOUL).......!!there has to be a pretty big DH-community up there,having fun with all the other guys.why should they come back..ibelieve that living is only a school to be prepared for what comes next......may you all rest in peace fellow souls!!!

is keyboard heavy but there are family/friends to help with that plenty of people closly involved with the band gone too, Cowboy Neil, Kesey, Uncle Bobo, Olatunje, Rex Jackaon, the list goes on Bob - - - - - - - - - - - - - - http://spanishsunshinedaydream.blogspot.com/ http://www.facebook.com/photos.php?id=633338979 Spanish Jam

(Bob's subject line inspired me to chose mine for the following.) I ran into this forum last night, read for hours and through all the posts. Smiled, got wet eyes and shook my head every now & then & now I chime in. The Grateful Dead have disbanded. They are history. But well, This band gave birth to something incredible, great and important, at least dead heads are aware of and familiar with, because this family is the enormous part of what became real, while this band continued to play for three decades. This topic and the whole dead net has lots and lots of stories that give proof to what Jerry brought to one simple sentence „We are in the transportation business“. Some of you wrote about their kids dancing to the canned music. Somewhere on dead.net I read a post by somebody, who wrote that his grandfather was a dead head, his father was a dead head and he himself started dancing to the music, wearing a diaper ... Those, who have moved elsewhere, have done so for some reason. And hopefully they will stay happy. Those, who are still here, know that „we are everywhere“, as the Grateful Dead will still follow us. Thanks to the tons of recordings, the music will never stop. And even more so the spirit won’t. I am a German, aged 52. Never saw the Grateful Dead live. Got into their music in 1978. Reading german translations of the Cool Aid Acid Test and Bill Graham’s biography, I definitely found out what I have missed. I joined dead.net about a month ago and I dig the atmosphere, reading posts and joining in. To me all this feels like I was born a dead head, although I never had „the“ experience. (maybe I am the oldest third generation dead head, whatever ... After last night’s reading trip I picked another picture to present myself here. Taking a bath in a bowl on my grandparent’s kitchen table). But I have had my share of being part of gatherings and experiences, I consider being similar to those on The Bus. Knowing very well, that there is nothing to compare to a good GD concert at a good venue. But I could tell stories about the two juggling conventions, organized by the Jugglers Against Gravity, I was part of, that will make you tell stories about your GD experiences, believe me. I am downloading and vining like mad, since I found out about it. Luckily unemployed, I got into doing double shifts, four weeks ago and seven days a week. So far I have filled CDs with the music of 110 concerts and I won’t stop. So personally I kind of live in the past. At the present time. My future looks bright, because I will never ever stop to wave my freak flag high. And I never really cared about differing between past, present and future. These constituents of reality are useful concepts to organize perception and experiences. But we all are free to not let any concept shackle the part of oneness that is the core of everything that is and this way of each of us. I was born in the past. I will die in the future. Best of all, I am here and now. Surfing each day with joy. And I am sure you don’t need no further invitation to "please come and join the ride", because I am sure, you all are in the transportation business, too. andré

I have been reading this forum with some interest. Life after Dead? When I was 21 I first saw tghw Dead. Life for me began then and far as I can tell I'm still alive. The music is timeless like all good music. When the Dead were going strong you cvould find a few bands that covered the band, but now there seems, to me anyway, a new communuity with a very similar and vibrate scene.Now at the wise age of almost 46, this newv scene gives me hoope that maybe all is not lost. There is a sxcene here happening locally in Flint and I am amazed at these young kids and the music they play. So there is life after the Dead and I am witnessing the new generation of ike minded folks and its great. Most of the kids I meet think its cool that I saw some of the shows they have heard about. And as I have before, any Michigan heads out there should check out Covert Operations (my Fave), The Ragbirds, Sprout, Glowb, to just name a few. If you want to know if and when these bands are in your area go to my space and search for them in the music section. Life never stopped when Jerry passed--its there and growing.

Thanks for your posts, brings me a Sunday morning smile. And wow for me the past two weeks, have been an excursion in Dead Land. Saw Phil and Friends in Portland. Watched Deadheads for Obama x 2, downloaded it and some other shows. Got 3 vines in the mail. Listened to radio fundraiser last night and got in on chat here. Also got new Roadtrips CDs And in a strange confluence of energy, have ended up being a delegate for Obama from our Caucus. So yes Life After Dead with the Dead continues. Peace If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake

Who are the grateful dead and why they keep foolowing me..:-)(-:

that i have written following me........

you didnt miss anything.the grateful dead is something that never will stop....because as long as one man remember that some other man has done something good to him the "GRATEFUL DEAD"are alive and well......and its on us to keep on keeping it on:-)(-:

You're welcome. With six to nine hours ahead of the USA it is more than enough time and so much fun to check dead.net during my breakfast and plant something heartfelt and true for all you people, who run across my posts. Good to read that you got a fine dose of timeless music during the last two weeks. Like I got mine. And may the universe be with you Obama delegate. (more on that via PM, maybe not "my" today) andré

This something between us starts getting funny. Last night I ran into the storyteller forum. Holy Cow ! That's a good idea of mine, but you made the one important step. And next Mary created this place. Reading the first story posted there made me hungry for more. And I hope that a lot of people will find this place by the fire and share some. My best wishes for this place to grow forever and a day. And well, I am ready to take off my "Where Is Frankly Wrong This Time" glasses. So what about trying to get along ? andré

...everythings cool.there is so much pain, mysery and agression on this planet that it would be sad if us deadheads could not get along one with the other...Peace,man,and have a nice day!!!!!:-)(-:

A--holes were destroying the scene and rioting in Deer Creek. I stopped going after the ShoreLine run in Sep. 94. We had up front center reserved seats for those shows. Garcia looked half dead on stage. Mellow California cops were confiscating weed, which they rarely did just a few years before. I'm glad it's over. Those guys are senior citizens with families now. That constant touring is what eventually helped to kill Brent Mydland at the ripe old age of 37. His OL said it was them or me. Just be happy because they continue doing benifits for REX, Barack Obama and other causes. Sleazy ticket brokers are buying everything up and ripping people off. Suckers paid 2K to see the latest "Hannah Montana" fad act. Do you wanna deal with these thieves just to see a Grateful Dead concert again? Legit tickets were selling for about 50 bucks maximum in the latter days. I don't even wanna know what a "STUB HUB" would demand for a few hours of music in 2008. The Bush Republicans (Clear Channel) own the Bill Graham empire. Uncle Bobo must be rolling over in his grave. Don't stop listening to the Grateful Dead and their family of bands; but continue to expand your horizons. The wheel is turning...

.....Buullshit kicks53:-P

jerry was half dead,mostly because of playing concerts to goofs,who never got it together that this was a group-thing.ohhh,gosh u had front row tics,reserved..did u get them at your local scalpers place?sure u r glad its over because now u can go in the pretty intimacy of your VIP places...and everything is back in order again.P.S.never heard that weed was legal in CA....

I absolutely didn't understand that and for the past several years I have seen countless younguns at shows and wondered how in the world they even heard the Dead! Ok, some have parents my age and be bopped along in car seats in the family VW SUV, but hey- I got on the bus in '78 and saw 200+ shows.... but am puzzled by today's kids never seeing a show and still being so into the scene. I went to my last GD show at RFK a few days before Jerry left and remember the kid next to me- it was his first show! I can't imagine that he'd still be on the bus after having to get off before his scheduled stop! I guess I feel my age. At the last Phil show in the Philly area, I gave my sandwich to a youngun who looked worn from the tour and asked him the same question.....he was there for the party. I guess that's the deal- we're all there for the party...I drink a lovely Somona chardonney in the parking lot now instead of a toke, quit smoking years ago, buy a few things at Shakedown instead of selling my earrings & blown glass, and call the babysitter in between sets. Pity for those who didn't get to tour, travel, camp in the mud, sell enough to get a motel room for the night, meet new people each day & night, trade tapes, and plan weeks in advance after you MAIL ORDERED for tix! Shit, I remember starting the list at the local sporting goods place that had a Ticketron-long nights with friends to get floor seats and blocks of tickets for your buddies. Ah, to be 17 again...the tix price is up, but it's a small price to pay to be a youngun again.

I caught the end of the Dead ( late 80s early 90s) And ive done my share of phish, wsp and countless festivals. And heres the deal....there is a serious lack of love and respect on the scene today. And a endless supply of bad drugs. When I toured with the Dead I had the feeling I was part of a group of people that were so much more enlightened than the world around us. Not a bunch of idiots on pharmies, disrespecting everyone around them.Without love in the dream......

well, cousinkix, you my friend are certainly bitter. I, too, witynessed the gate crashings, the search for the "miracle ticket" without thought to purchasuing one. And as far as jerry being half-dead, well, jerry was a very sick man. Imagine the load he carried, having to countinue to tour to support countless deadheads and the corporation that the grateful dead had become.I never went to the show unless I had a ticket and I never went for the party. I went for the music and the spaces and places the music took me--plain and simple. I choose to look back at the beauty that the grateful dead brought to the world. Bob Dylan wrote some thirty years ago that "negativity will not pull you through" don't know why you are so bitter but I miss Jerry everyday and I'm just thankful for the time I had with the Dead. As far as the "scene" goes, its out there. I am fortune to have found a pretty cool scene going on here in Flint--motor capital of the world. Anyway, cousinkix, remember the goiod times that the dead provided you with---sometimes there is really nothing left to do but smile, smile, smile.

namaste good folks; THE DEAD ARE A LIVING BREATHING SPIRITUAL FORCE.ITS OUR DUTY AND RESPONSABILTY TO CARRY INTO THE PRESENT AND FUTURE THE LESSONS AND ETHICAL AND MORAL PERCEPTIONS AS WELL AS POLITICAL PARADIGMS FORWARD.THE GIFT IS THE PRESENT.MADE RICHER BY THE PAST.MADE ALIVE IN THE PRESENT.BROUGHT INTO ACTIONS BY US ALL.A GREAT HONOR.AND I FEEL THAT WE MUST BECOME FIRST-WHAT WE ARE ASKING OF THE GREATER COMEUNITY.WE MUST SUPPORT AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER,AND DEAL WITH ISSUES IN A DIFFERENT,HIGHER WAY THEN THE REST OF OUR CULTURE DOES.WE MUST HELP THOSE WHO ARE LOST,GUIDE THE YOUNG,PROTECT WOMEN,CHILDREN AND EACH OTHER WITH MODALITIES OF LOVE.IF WE CANNOT DO THIS FOR ONE ANOTHER,FOR THE FREAKS,HOW CAN WE EXPECT THE STAUS QUO TO. I SPELL STATUS QUO..SAD ASS QUO OFTEN.THINK? CONSOCIATIONS.FREEWAY/FREE REDHILL/MICHAEL.

the music,philosophy of life and experiance make up the bus, jerryn'co were the unwtting drivers(thx u). just because the driver got out from behind the steering wheel the bus doesn't stop. it's like the storyteller in the song, he don't give no endding, it's up to you to figure it out.

"may god bless and keep you always may your wishes all come true may you always do for others and have others do for you" god bless martin fierro rip

I'm not going to say anything here that everyone hasn't already said... I am one of those who never saw the band live. My wife turned me on to them. She had tickets to see them when Jerry died. She told me the heartbreak she felt, as if an old friend had passed on. I knew, for a band to affect her that much, there had to be something to them. I listened...and listened...and listened some more, and I haven't stopped yet. I think I get it. I think I get what Phil means when he talks about the "collective mind." Whenever I listen to their run at Red Rocks in July of '82 or anything from '73, I feel as if I'm in the middle of that crowd, swaying, singing, and loving everyone in the room. It makes me sad I couldn't have been there in person. I always tell people, the Grateful Dead are best listened to with ones eyes closed and their heart open... I don't know that anyone could say, "They are gone, get over it" and not feel like they were lying to themselves just a little bit. My Aunt Sharon died last year. Do you think for one second I considered moving on with my life, never to think of her or love her again? No way! There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think of her warmth and kindness. I talk about her to my wife. I brag about her cooking. I think the same can be said about the Grateful Dead. I can't stop loving something just because they aren't hear anymore. It's against my humanity to even consider it. Peace. Caleb “Let there be songs to fill the air.”

Jesus here … I have a message for all of you from beyond your realm. This is a Message from Jerry, Pigpen, Brent, Keith, and Bill. To all you who have taken this site and made it about personally attacking one another; who have made a point to forget about the music completely, who have disregarded what this web site is all about. You all have disappointed us greatly. Remember it’s about the music and what it means to each and every one of you. Stop the personal attacks against one another. There is a lot going on in this world right now. And not everyone is going to agree with each other on what should be done. The end of days is near. We need to come together and be united. No I’m not from the Chinese government. I have nothing to do with any government. Nothing we say on these forums about the world is going to change anything. Pray to who or what you believe in. At this point unless you are going to the different places or raising money to help fund these causes; all you can do is pray. So QUIT your bickering it’s time to get along and enjoy the music while we still have the freedom to listen to it. And Remember why we are here on this site in the first place!!!!