Grateful Dead

Greetings my nickname was/is Sunny, my name is Karen. I live on the Central Coast of California. I have an amazing daughter who will be 12 next month, August 9th 1995 is her birthday which is a whole other story for another day. My first shows were Seca 88, my last was Shorline 95. I still listen to the Grateful Dead everyday and miss it so much. I see a lot of live music, however as it has been said a million times before.. there is nothing like a Grateful Dead Show.. Blessings, Sunny "The bus came by and I got on, that's when it all began.."

I'm 34 and have lived in San Jose California my whole life. My old man listened to the dead, but I really didn't start listening till high school. I've been to about 5 dead shows in my life. Knew the world was going to hell in a bucket when Jerry died. So much has changed since then, the world is a completely different place than what it was. Anyways, just wanted to say hi. Very nice drupal theme! I run a drupal based site at www.7bamboo.com. It's for a little karaoke bar in SJ, stop by and say hi sometime. --toqer

Hello Im Trevor, I live in southeastern missouri, go to college, and work washing dishes 4 hours a week. I have sadly never been to a grateful dead show, I was born a little to late I guess but I discovered them a few years ago thanks to some friends and being in the right place at the right time and I have become obsessed with them over the past couple of years. I spend most of my time walking around searching for new friends in my small town or here on my computer. Im really excited about this new site, hit me up sometime id love to talk. "You know the one thing we need is a left handed monkey wrench....."

I just posted a bunch of pictures from 6.11.91 Charlotte Coliseum along with some of my ticket stubs. Check them out and leave me some comments!

first show on floor: Atlanta Omni '90last show: Boston Garden '93 acquired my first two tapes in mid-80s: Englishtown '77, Richmond 11/1/85 the rest is history :-) some favorite post-Jerry show i've attended: Phil & Friends, Berkeley Greek with a Doin' That Rag and three Viola Lee visitations; Ratdog, Gathering of the Vibes 2000 in CT with Les Claypool as guest bassist on "The Other One" (Bobby introduced him as "Paul McCartney, if I remember correctly), "The Dead" at SPAC, Jerry's b'day, 2004 (?) with an Angel Band encore: wow. "The Dead" shortly afterwards, same year, at what was then called The Meadows in Hartford (what's up with all these corporate buyouts, man - The Knick is what, The Pepsi now? gimme a break, why can't we go back to wampum or something): my best memories of the Hartford "The Dead" show including hearing Mickey sing, hearing my first-ever Alligator, first-ever Mr. Charlie, and a gorgeous full-on WRPrelude>WRS>Let it Grow; also: if the woman from Easthampton who lent me her guitar during setbreak at that show ever reads this, get in touch! man sat down and he cried too, it ain't me...the river so wide...with the sunshine over our head(s) (Ten years ago, I walked these streets...) Enjoy the 40th ann of the summer o' love everyone. and leave it on. ERW

A few weeks ago in a forum the question was posed to all if the Dead was still relevant here in the 21st century. I, as one of many it seems, still find the music to be my gateway to the other realms, where lies hope, peace, creativity, love. The pure joy, the opening of this great flow of heart energy, is right there. This energy activates & motivates me. And the cool thing is there's still so much new to be heard. Now this isn't escapism(maybe a little), but instead a state of being that shows me what's still possible. In the midst of continuing global uproar, which seems to keep ratcheting higher & higher, the music of the Dead is a great source of grounding for me. That specialness we experienced at the shows, usually high on acid, was a non-ordinary reality that superceded for me the 3-dimensional world that lay outside those gates. Reality seems to be an objective viewpoint but my vote would always be for the world we found in that swirling vortex of music, love, & respect, the place where we co-created a universe of our own. The Dead helps me continue to carry that universe inside my heart, is a part of my soul, which I then in my own way take and spread around to everything I touch. I'm continuing my own healing, which then helps me heal the world, and the Dead is my soundtrack for this grand experiment. I became a grandpa-BabaSteve-for the 2nd time this past Father's Day. A few weeks later my ex-wife Colleen was up and we're hanging out in the back yard enjoying the weather & the company, passing little Brandon around. In honor of his parents-mostly me I think-my son had some live Dead on the box as we grilled. As I strolled around with baby falling asleep in my arms-I always loved that-Colleen remarked to our son Ryan that it looks like there'll be another generation that the Dead will lullaby to sleep. And it suddenly hit me how strong the bond of the music was not just for me, but for my entire family. It's always been a part of my life, and then I passed it on to my wife, then my children. And what I find remarkable is that since Jerry's passing I'm feeling the music is even more relevant than ever, an undying ember of connectedness to the universe that continues to expand for me. They are indeed a part of my soul, and the Dead are Alive & Well...

When I left Dunedin, NZ, as a very green 20-year-old I had already been a raving music nut for many years and had been writing reviews (blues, country, rock) for a local underground freebie rag since I was 16 or so. Arriving in San Francisco, my first stop was the offices of BAM (Bay Area Music), a magazine then in its infancy. I suspect I was their only overseas subscriber - and certainly the only Kiwi! So the staff - including Blair Jackson - treated me real swell, facilitating my tix and backstage pass to my only Dead show - June 8, 1977. Talk about green. Coming from the relatively sober and straight South Island, I had never smoked industrial strength Colombian grass like the kind I had scored off a drag queen in a Haight St gay bar. Blimey. I remember, among many shows, seeing Stoneground at Keystone Berkley and then going around and around theb same block completely lost. In any case, throughout the rest of that memorable journey (through Texas and on to Virginia), a couple of years in London and then Wellington, Gisborne (surfing) and - for the past 20 years in Melbourne - music has been front and center, although it's only in the past 3-4 years the GD has come back to the fore. Along the way I made serial and lengthy visits to New Orleans/South Louisiana in the '80s and '90s to get my fill of good food, crawfish, R&B, blues, cajun, zydeco, gospel, rock and Radiators and Iguanas. For more than 18 years I have run a weekly radio show here in Melbourne on PBS-FM 106.7 that has evolved.changed with my music tastes - from monster grunge through to soul and country and jazz and western swing and plenty more. Currently the Pearls is about 1/3 each of country/wetern swing, GD and jazz grooves. It's good to be here. Up till now my forum activity - including quite often GD talk - has been on jazz boards such Jazz Corner and organissimo

I have a 6 1/2 year old son, Bennie, who keeps me young. Phil Wilson: Where the hell are you? :)

I started working at BAM a few years after you made your appearance. Sorry I missed you! Glad you're here now!

Hi, im Jeff, I got out of the military a few years ago, and finaly settled doune here in Offenbach Germany. Ive ben a G.D. fan sence around 1975 when I was interduced to Jerrys fantastic gift thru a New Riders of the Purple Sage album.

head on over to Deadheads of Europe and meet your neighbors!

Torrentially Terrance StampHob-nobbin' 'round the ranch Can't catch a fishin' stream Had to hitch a ride from an old museum hunch-backs in the back of an old timey hatch-back Watch that man show leave the honkers blow below their belts we form a positive premonition Can't catch a stream Can't beat a dream

Hello my friends of the Dead, my name is Andrew. I just signed on this train, and expect to have myself a long strange trip. Great news also... it is my birthday today, i am still just a young buck at 32 good years. i live outside of chicago and i love the dead. I am a woodworker by trade and the music just clears my head and takes me to that place i need to be in my daily life. My first Dead show was in the late 80's. I was in the seventh grade and my brother took me with some friends from his work. what a culture find it was for me. Let me say I still dream of the pretty girl that talked and danced with me. she had such cute dirty bare feet and a daisy in her hair. wow, hear i am married and happy as a clam and i still remember those dirty feet. well, glad to say hi to you all and would love to hear from all you fine people in my computer screen. keep the world green, give a friend a hand and help the ones who need you most... hugs to you all my deadmates! I am the sun... now please, show me your moon...

Amigo De DiabloHey now, nice to meet you. I'm about a million years old and attended my first shows way back in the day in NYC. I've been hanging 'round ever since. I miss the dead but get my RatDog/Phil fix when ever time allows. Just caught the New NRPS at the Stonepony in NJ and that was a bit of all right. they're jammin' a bit-it works well, Michael Falzarano is a nice fit. anywho-Been dead since about 1970 & plan to stay that way. Please to meet you. Love Amigo

Art Teacher in the Bay Area. I hav ebeen into the Dead since the late 70s (in high school in Upstate NY). My first show was in college at the Carrier Dome (1982). I have gone to hundreds of Dead related shows (and hundreds of other shows) since. I have been in the Bay Area for 5 years and would like to find more people to go to shows with.

Names Bob, I'm 41 and am new to this fourm. I spent most of my life living in Maryland,half way between Baltimore, and Philadelphia. So I had an chance to see a good bit of shows up and down the east coast.My very first show was the Dead with Dylan and Tom Petty opening at RFK stadium. Went to both nights, then coma. I thought that was it, but went on to many more shows! Besides Celtic Woman they are still my favorite band, and will always hold a place in my heart. I now live in Minnesota and get to see Bobby on occasion. Other than that not much to tell.

Hello dead heads, I am Josh. I am a Pittsburgh deadhead. I enjoy music, concerts, the dead, reading, and being with people in general.

Hi!.... I'm Gigi from South NJ...Wenonah to be exact. Just wanted to say, and that I really like the new site and have been enjoying talking to new friends and seeing all the shows that everyone has been to.

R.L. GUINN Im looking for the DVD i think called Vintage Dead had Midnite hour on one side of the album fact that song took up all of one side any one remember it Help

There is another forum called I'm Looking For that you should ask questions like this in, but here is the answer. Good luck finding it. A long shot. Vintage Dead Grateful Dead Initial release : 1970 Sunflower SUN-5001 Semi-legal(?) release of live material from 1966. Tracks Side 1 I Know You Rider (Traditional arr. Grateful Dead) It Hurts Me Too (James) It's All Over Now, Baby Blue (Dylan) Dancin' In The Streets (Stevenson/Gaye/Hunter) Side 2 In The Midnight Hour (Cropper/Pickett) Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.) Walt Whitman-Song of Myself

Hi, my name is James. I live in San Luis Obispo County, CA, with my wife, son (15 mo.) 2 dachshunds, 2 rabbits, and a couple of random cats and raccoons (los banditos). I have never seen the Dead in concert. I grew up in a very conservative part of Kentucky, where some types of country and gospel music were taboo - much less rock and roll. (Conway Twitty's "Slow Hand" song was about as XXX as things got there). I was trained in classical violin, and went to college to study Viola. There was a great new/used record store, and I used to go there to buy the most random things. The owner was a deadhead. I was captivated by the "Blues for Allah" poster - but she said "that's not the place to start" and pointed me toward "Workingman's Dead" and "American Beauty" instead. She supplemented my musical education (formal and informal) with home tapes of her favorite shows. She pointed me toward Hendrix, Janis, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, BB King - all kinds of Blues, Bluegrass, Newgrass - and my personal favorite, Frank Zappa. My own personal "long stange trip" took me out of college, to Texas for 13 years (where I hardly every touched a violin or viola), to an enthusiasm for Celtic music that had me taking up the Violin again - with side trips into Bodybuilding, Yoga, Alchemy, Christianity, Wicca, Christian Wicca, and various other subjects. Then I met my wonderful wife, moved to California, where a bunch of other stuff happened. I recently joined a group that is working through Julia Cameron's "Artist's Way" - a course for recovering from creative blocks. Don't know if anyone's familiar with that book - but one of the assignments is to list your "secret selves" - creative parts of yourself that have been ignored or neglected for years. One of those was "Deadhead". Sooo... I dug out the old tapes. Synchronicity brought me to the library, where I found., right in front of my face, Workingman's Dead, a Jerry Garcia/ David Grisman project, and a Blues Traveler live album. I'm increasingly understanding what the Dead meant when they said they weren't in the Music Business - they were in the transportation business - to different levels of conciousness. I have to hop in the shower before the kid wakes up from his nap. But I'm here, feeling somewhat like an estranged member of an extended family that has finally made contact. Peace Y'all. I look forward to my time here. James

so glad you made it!

Hi, I am a fairly new Deadhead. I was born and raised in the beautiful northwest. To make a long story short- I got into the Dead right before I went to Iraq. After I got back a few years ago I've been finding peace in the Dead, my wife and son. I guess its all part of a healing process. My mom and dad were Deadheads and I never really saw how great the band was until i got older. You could say the door didn't "open" for me until I needed it. Positive Vibes to Everyone Patrick

Seattlep! You certainly deserve it after Iraq. Am glad your family and hopefull THIS family can also help with that. Enjoy the Dead-is peaceful amongst other things.

Been here for ever but had to re-register, oh well.Find me here, find me at Deadhook, .org, purplygrotto, Philzone. Alwasys Loonyj or Loony. Same pic same look same dude/ Watch each card and play it slow.

Hey everyone I'm Nate from York, PA. I got turned on by the Dead in early 2005 and it has been in my blood ever since. Music has always been my passion and I can't believe It took me so long to find them. Obviously I've never been to any Grateful Dead shows, unfortunately, but I have been listening to everything I can get my hands on. I have had the pleasure of seeing Ratdog twice and plan to see many more as well as Phil and Friends and any of the other ones that come my way. I am honored to be among all of you friends and like minded people. So greetings and thanks for this awesome website. Talk to you later, Nate

My User name is Steve-O, my friends just call me Steve-O. 1st show 3/06/81 WOW!!!!, been on board ever since. Sad to say my last show was 6/30/95.Interest include Steelhead fishing, and riding my mountain bike. My wife says I'm on the computer alot, but she's entitled to her oppinion. Great to be here, and thanks to everyone who put this together!!!

name is mike but you can call me quinney McHappypants. actually i am not worried about what you call me. i am of the younger crowd, which unfortunately for me means that i never got to see the actual grateful dead, with jerry in tow. but i have been a fan forever. my mom's little sister, my aunt was and is a huge dead head, and she made sure that i got all the dead i could handle at a young age, and well it paid off. i have seen ratdog, and phil, the dead as they were called for a few, and been to a number of dark star shows, but alass, it isn't the same. i trade shows w/ a few people who live around me, and have a decent sized collection, and as we speak i am listening to a new show i just got, 5/1/70, and loveing it. i travel with work, and travel to see shows. i live in north east pa, but love to boogey on down to philly as much as possible. i just turned 21 actually on the 27th of august. when it comes to my favorites well eyes of the world takes the cake for me with china cat > rider comes in at a close 2nd. after that it's all gravey. then there is the great keyboarder debate, and i wont choose. i love love love pig and really dug the keith years, he and jerry could really fly, and brent well brent was just soooo damn soulful how could you not love him. really wish i coulda seen jer tho, but that's the way the cookie crumbles, i've seen some great stuff and dreamt about the rest. hope to have many great conversations with all you fine folk rockin your socks since 1986

I was born on 6-26-1965 so me an the band are about the same age. 9-3-85 was my first of 37 shows (last being 7-6-95)...the bus came by with the last cryptical, and I have never gotten off or faded away. The new site looks awesome. Looking forward to talking with you all. Eric

Howdy fellow Dead fans! I am a newbie and a huge fan of Dead, Phish, Pink Floyd, Etc.... Just awoke to find this humble place on my laptop today,

Hey everyone im Josh. I'm from the Chicagoland area but im currently studying music in NYC. If there are any other musicians in the NYC area hit me uip! Not enough heads. not the greatest jam scene out here but hopefully i could help change that : ) peace everyone-mrfish

Deadhead from Melbourne, Australia. I live, breathe and eat the Grateful Dead - but my favorite era would have to be '68-'69. Bobby is probably my fave, too... I'd love to catch him in concert someday. Always up for a chat, recommendations, or trading. Mark

I found San Jose on the map of the united states. Which is right next to Palo Alto and Stanford California. Jerry Garcia's father name is Jose. I so happened to pick this name because a while back in the third grade - during recess - coming down the stairs I said,"I am one of the strong ones" to one of three girls. Also my teacher has the same last of one of the drummers.

Hi all, I'm a newbie here but a long time Head. My Lady and I will be tying the knot in November and I am on the wedding vow hunt. I've been hoping to run across some lyrical lines from Robert Hunter that express my love in a Grateful Way. If anyone has ran across something that may fit the bill, please guide me. Many thanks in advance, Paul

I wanted that to be our wedding song, I was shot down though, Although when the wedding party was introduced, she had the dj play truckin. That was really cool.

Hi Paul The one that gets me is Robert Hunter's 'Maybe she's a Bluebird' from Tales of the Great Rum Runners. Never recorded by the Dead (happy to be be corrected on that), but the sweetest words, if perhaps a little wistful for a wedding. All of my fancy All of my dreams come true Just to be here with you For the last dream All of my life Starts to make sense now I think I see what it means When I was a beggar When I was a thief When I was caught up Was you that brought relief Sometimes you amaze me Sometimes make me crazy Maybe you're a bluebird That will never fly away Not fly away, no Not fly away Maybe you're a bluebird Who will never fly away Of course the new in-laws may not be too impressed with the confession that you were a beggar and a thief! best wishes to you both

Hello Everyone !I hope to meet up with some other fans & get to know you all. I work at a casino where Phil & Bobby have both blessed us with their music. Peace & Love , daisy

Thanks for the responses. I love "They Love Each Other" and it'll find a spot somewhere in the wedding/reception. cosmicbadger: lol @ inlaws! I'm embarrassed to admit, I haven't listen to any Hunter songs that were not performed by the dead... :( But! I will remedy that w/in the day! I'm actually looking for Wedding Vows... Words to be spoken by me, to her, during the ceremony. I can find pages upon pages upon pages of wedding vows on the net or via a book store. I was really hoping that somewhere in some time past Hunter had written vows.. Something a bit more special that held true to his style.... If anyone runs across something fitting please shot me a line. Mean while I'm going to browse the forum and see who is who and which witch is which.

you might want to seek out a Hunter song called "When a Man Loves a Woman." Not the same as the Percy Sledge song, which is also awesome of course. It is sweet and heartfelt. I think it's on "Liberty."

What a song!No one can say it like Hunter..........

I'm Pete. I'm a huge fan of the Dead, though have never seen them live due to my age (I'm only 21), but love jam bands in general. I record alot of local jam bands, do some music production, and record audio for film and television, all because I just love music. Maybe some day I'll tape a Lesh or Weir show. ----------------------------------- This machine kills fascists!

I actually got married on Jerry's B-day Aug 1, 1998, I figured there was no way I could forget that date!

Nice dawg, I think I may slip our date on the inside of the ring :D

I joined a little over a week ago. I think I posted here before but the boards looked different (?)I'm from Alaska. I'm 37. Pretty much locked in up here, but I did get out and see Further festival in 95. I hope I get around to chatting here some and getting to know folks.

Where in Alaska? Don't part with your illusions. When they are gone, you will still exist, but you have ceased to live. Samuel Clemens

I am feeling a little bit exhausted from last nights gig...the strings were lifeless....and I am sure it is a conspiracy to get us to buy the most expensive strings...so they can hike up the prices worldwide...am I paranoid...YES. hahahaha... I have a profile at http://www.myspace.com/ericsawyer4jesus --- will save me writing a lot more non-sense... Nice to be here.