# Who Loves The Grateful Dead!? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 26, 2001, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695 "2001-10-26T02:23:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Moe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moe/32/2972_2.png) [@Moe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moe)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/61 "2001-11-01T05:18:28Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by plnnr \* > \*\*Sunrise is made all the more beautiful if you know the story behind it - Rex Jackson, a long time crew member (and husband of Betty Cantor-Jackson, sound engineer extraordinaire and the person most responsible for getting early sound boards into circulation, hence ‘Betty Boards’) was killed in a motorcycle accident. A Native American friend of the band organized a ceremony, held at sunrise, to release Jackson’s soul to the heavens. You get a bit of it in the lyrics. \*\* Thanks **plnnr**! I didn’t know that, but I look forward to hearing again with that in mind (though I must admit there was always something about the mystery of what was exactly going on that had a part in its affect on me). ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2001, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/62 "2001-11-01T14:55:06Z")
I guess I should check this forum more often, huh? Yeah, I like the Dead. I’ve been to a little over 200 shows since my first one at Nassau Coliseum in 1978 to my last one in Birmingham in 1995. Since that was my last show, I’ll always cherish a special piece of, um, pottery that I purchased in the parking lot. Perhaps “stemware” would be a better description. 😉 It’s great to see so many more Heads since the last time we had one of these threads going. Donna? No thanks, didn’t much care for her caterwauling. I suppose it could be that she just couldn’t hear herself, as someone pointed out earlier, but man, could she kill a Scarlet\>Fire! In fairness, I’ve heard several versions of “Looks Like Rain” where she did some nice harmonies with Bobby, but that’s about it. She lives about 45 minutes west of me, and I saw her with the Heart Of Gold band last year. Fortunately it was at a festival and I was able to move on to another stage. ---
**Author:** ![jabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@jabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabe)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2001, 5:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/63 "2001-11-02T05:33:13Z")
I love all the answers! I always get a warm feeling when a thread I start actually goes somewhere. I know its a lot to ask, but does anyone have the Dead show from summer tour 95 in Highgate, vt? It was my first and only show, and I’d be willing to send tapes or cd’s and pay postage galore for a copy. 15 years old at a Dylan and the Dead show…thoes were the days! peace, JB ---
**Author:** ![sim0n](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8c91f0/32.png) [@sim0n](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sim0n)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/64 "2001-11-11T05:24:56Z")
FIRST POST FOR ME! WOOOOOHOOOO! Anyway- The Grateful Dead- ``` That’s the first thing I did when I joined this board was to search for “Grateful Dead”. ``` No sht- I even had to register specifically to do the search! Ohh man I really love the Dead. I got to see around 60 shows as I was growing up from when I was around 6 or 7 and until Jerry died when I was 14. My mom and step dad (moreso him) were big deadheads…. I actually never really cared that much until it was all over with…… I even passed up the last show cause I thought I had something else going on, and I there would always be another dead show (doh!) If you ever had hot whole wheat pizza in the lot of a dead show, somewhere in the midwest (sometimes farther) then there is a good chance it might have been from my family ``` I have really been into them a lot the last 3-5 years and I could go on and on for hours….. they are the type of band who didn’t really have “filler” mediocre songs- it seems that all of their repertoire (with the exception of very few) had a unique importance. I couldn’t really have a favorate song although some of the ones that really get the goosebumps going on my back and neck are: Brokedown Palace, Ripple, Box of Rain, Standing on the Moon, Franklin’s Tower, They Love Eachother, just to name a few. And dispite the pop-aspect of TOG, that line: “sorry thing you feel that way, the only thing there is to say is, every silver lining’s got a Touch of Grey” is sweet- (I think that whole verse could be somewhat applicable to our fellow whistlepig.) I think that the unique thing about the Dead is their indirectness, much is so much open to interpretation that it is hard sometimes to pinpoint the exact source of the emotions that they dig up, and anyone can have a very different life-connotation and personal interaction with the music. ``` And Epics like Throwing Stones, hold so true regardless of what year it is…… It is interesting to hear them from different eras. Say some stuff from the early 80’s was WAY fast- (hmm…. How could that be?) and man oh man, some of that way early stuff was really really twisted…. Not in a psychotic way, but of a musical intertwinedness…… the band, at the various peaks of their playing, they were so in tune with eachother it is mind boggling hearing the recordings. I love the Dead! ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/65 "2001-11-11T11:38:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jabe \* > \*\*I do, even got to see them once, Highgate, VT, in 1995. Great show, dont really remember much. Coulda been the Willie Nelson, coulda been the wine. > > So: Love 'em or hate 'em?\*\* Alas, this is s polarizing question to many, but i loves 'em as much as you can love people you don’t really know. Undeniably fine pure musicians (mainly), true innovators with their fluid jamming, and incredibly exciting live performers, creating an “anything can happen” atmosphere that relatively few acts can approach. Yeah, the scene had a lot of problems, but I guess that comes with the territory. Hey, I was at both Highgate shows – maybe I saw ya there (well, probably not, given the 80 to 100 thousand attendance). Love it or hate it there is/was NOTHING like a Grateful Dead concert. Pope Bob " … dust off those rusty strings just one more time … " [Edited by Ukulele Ike on 11-11-2001 at 10:12 AM] ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/66 "2001-11-11T11:43:38Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by King Rat \* > \*\*I saw about 50 shows, mostly from 1979-1981. > First show: 5/1/77 Palladium, NYC > Last Show: 6/19/93 Soldier Field, Chicago > Most Memoriable Shows: > 5/1/77 (natch) > 9/2/78 Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ > 1/8/79 Madison Square Garden, NYC > 9/6/79 Madison Square Garden, NYC > 3/30/80 Capitol Theater, Passiac, NJ > 5/5/81 Glens Falls Civic Center, Glens Falls, NY > 4/13/85 Irvine Meadows Ampitheater, Irvine, CA > > \*\* I was at the Glens Falls show you noted. I saw roughly 90 (plus 20 or so Jerry Band shows) during my hitch. First one was RPI Fieldhouse (Troy, NY), spring 1978 – pearls before swine, but I still loved it. Pope Bob " … but it’s all over now." ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 11:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/67 "2001-11-11T11:51:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by mack \* > \*\*Love 'em. > > My first show was the Buffalo War Memorial in '81. \*\* Dude (I assume), I was there and out there! Where have all the freakin’ people gone? To my shame, I was disabled from seeing the Stones at Rich Stadium the next day (I gave my ticket away) – my solace is that that turned out to be a so-so Stones show (although it featured “When The Whip Comes Down”), and I got to see them twice after that. And it may not be the last time … Pope Bob Church of Natural-born Eastmen ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/68 "2001-11-11T11:55:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by jabe \* > \*\*whistlepig: I get the ‘get a haircut and get a job’ part, but whats up with the ‘pull up your pants’ part? > > My favorite Dead songs right now have to be ‘ramble on rose’ and ‘jack straw’ from europe 72 > peace, > JB \*\* I advise you to get the tapes from Binghamton 1979 and RPI 1978 for intoxicating Jack Straws – if you have connections to others let me know if you are able and inclined. Pope Bob "Just like Mary Shelly … " ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/69 "2001-11-11T12:13:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by gobear \* > \*\*Love 'em. > > _Bear’s Choice_ with the 18-minute “Smokestack Lightnin’” is one of my faves. Saw 'em live several times at Compton Terrace in Phoenix and in Vegas. > > I just wish they would erase Donna Godscheaux’s wailing off the late 70’s concert tapes. Yeesh, that woman sounded like a cat getting sodomized by a chainsaw. Without lube. \*\* In Donna’s defense, she claims she had to sing louder than she would properly because otherwise she couldn’t hear herself. But I agree that, while she may be a fine human being, she was more of a negative than a positive to the band. Keith, on the other hand, while demented, was really an underrated keyboard player. He had a very subtle rock to him. Indeed, that is one of the Dead’s great strengths – the ability to play slow and still ROCK. A piece does not need to be played at breakneck pace to rock the house. Pope Bob " … after contemplation, my love, indeed, is bigger than a Caddilac, despite opinions to the contrary … " ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 12:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/70 "2001-11-11T12:19:23Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by uberDave \* > \*\*Love 'em > > Saw my first show at Cameron Indoor in October 1977. Saw them for the last time playing with Bob Dylan at JFK in Philly sometime in the late '80’s. > Dave \*\* There too – JFK Stadium. The Dead set was amazing (almost had a freakin’ heart attack dancing), although the Dylan set was not sharp, it seeming like they hadn’t rehearsed at all (every other song sounded like West LA Fadeaway). Worst Dylan set I’ve ever sen – while Bob has an unjustified rep for uneveness and whatever bad, he’s always been great whenever I’ve seen him (12 or so times) and this was by far his worst show that I saw. Pope Bob "Mama said, ‘Don’t go near that river’ … " ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 12:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/71 "2001-11-11T12:25:07Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by King Rat \* > \*\*yah, Sting was cool. Jerry came out and jammed with him for a couple of songs. Also remember that during the set break they showed on the big screens the broadcast of the NBA Championship series (with da Bulls)? > > I purchased all three volumes of the [“Taping Compendiums”](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0805053980/qid=1004153535/sr=1-3/ref=sr_1_10_3/104-4295192-1287112) even though I’m not a taper. They’re great! You get a review of virtually every show! > > Phil Lesh has been putting on great concerts. Saw him at the Beacon theater, NYC, one year ago. Lots of Dead songs, including rarely played or never played songs like “The Golden Road (to Unlimited Devotion),” “Doin’ that Rag,” “Cosmic Charlie,” and “Unbroken Chain.” He’s playing there next month but I really didn’t have the money to spare to buy a ticket:( But I’ve got my Dick’s Picks to keep me happy:) Also check out [http://www.deadshow.org](http://www.deadshow.org) \*\* [http://www.sugarmegs.org/](http://www.sugarmegs.org/) Pope Bob “I’m with Phil.” ---
**Author:** ![Big\_Iron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e36b37/32.png) [@Big\_Iron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Big_Iron)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 12:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/72 "2001-11-11T12:38:54Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Billy Baroo \* > \*\*I’m always on the lookout for Jerry Band from '78. In a handful of those shows, they performed _I’ll Be With Thee_, a groovy little gospel tune that I just love. The only one I’ve been able to find is 3/18/78, and the quality is pretty low. > > The View from the Vault II DVD is very poignant. Hornsby just has this look on his face like “I can’t believe I’m improvising and trading licks with Garcia.” I haven’t even looked at set 2 yet. Sorta like dosing: I’m waiting for the right set and situation. I find it pretty difficult to watch Dead videos without eventually being hit with feelings of bleakness and loss. > > When I was a young headbanger smartass I would bait the Deadheads with “The Dead is nothing but bad country.” Thankfully I grew out of it. One of the more up-to-date digs I’ve come across is, “Jerry’s dead, Phish sucks. Get a job.” Aw, dang, Phish is dead now too. ☹ But that’s for another thread. \*\* Phish don’t suck, but I feel yer pain. I know I’ve got a more recent version of “I’ll Be With Thee” somewhere, so I’ll dig around and send you a copy if/when I find it. I wish Bruce had stayed with the boys, as he really seemed to re-inspire Jerry. Oh well, all things must pass, they say. But seeing Jerry’s face lit up playing along with Bruce’s grand, it seemed like the last best chance. Alright, y’all have gotten me out of control. Bless ya. I was at the Albany shows that preceded the final Chicago show(s). The last song I heard then play was “Morning Dew.” I can’t complain. Pope Bob “Please let nobody prove that ‘Day Job’ was actually the last number.” ---
**Author:** ![kiffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/d78d45/32.png) [@kiffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kiffa)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/73 "2001-11-11T15:18:58Z")
Imagine my surprise when the Central African Republic issued a Jerry Garcia 500 cfa postage stamp in 1995. The “Stamp of the Stars” series also included: Freddie Mercury, Jimi Hendrix, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and, oddily enough, Michael Jackson. I’m going off to listen to St Stephen… ---
**Author:** ![Skelji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b38774/32.png) [@Skelji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skelji)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2001, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695/74 "2001-11-11T17:01:11Z")
I have 3 small sheets of Jerry stamps and 1 sheet of Dancing Bear stamps from Montserrat, and one sheet of Jerry stamps from Tanzania. I remember the last show that I saw for…'89 I think? It was up at Foxboro Stadium (gah…one road in, and what a traffic mess it was). It was the last time I saw Brent before he died. The encore was “The Weight”. The last words Brent sung? “I said I got to go, but my friends can stick around.” I enjoyed Brent’s time with the band, even though he was pretty f’d up at times, but seeing Bruce jam with Jerry the following year was incredible. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-loves-the-grateful-dead/89695.md?page=3)