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    marye
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    Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.

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  • Oroboros
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    And we will always be eternally grateful to Merl, for
    many reasons especially because after Garcia's diabetic coma in 1986 and Jerry's resulting loss of some of his ability to play guitar due to his impaired basic motor skills, Merl Saunders was the one that spent hours each day with the Jerry. Merl helped him 'relearn' guitar by running scales, jamming with him, and working Jerry out on with their familar jazz standards to help 'reconnect' Jerry's synapses and to get Garcia back into 'playin in the band". I caught Merl's a couple shows and he was nothing less that delightful and he looked like he was having more fun than we all were dancing at his gig. A true artist. Fare thee well, Merl, and thanks for everything. The Truth is realized in an instant, the act is practiced step by step.
  • johnman
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    damn
    truly a drag................the band in heaven is gettin' awfully big
  • iknowurider
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    R.I.P. Merl
    Peace to you & your loved ones....
  • GratefulGigi
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    May the four winds blow him safely home....
    R.I.P. "the godfather of jam bands," Merl Saunders
  • Hal R
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    RIP Merl
    You made so many people happy with your music and your spread your boundless joy to all of us to share with the world and make it a better place. You were a healer bringing back Jerry to his skills after illness and a man of compassion who brought attention to the beauty and destruction of the rainforest. You could boogie and you could play the tunes to soothe. You touched me deeply. For me your music and spirit will keep on keepin on as a part of me. Thank you Merl. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • free idea
    Joined:
    a truly beautiful person
    met him once and he put the lie to the notionthat music stars had to have some kind of attitude. he was 100% sweet and beautiful. keep on keepin on merl, we'll keep rockin here on the rock ---'never prank a truster'----
  • cosmicbadger
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    Merl Saunders
    rest in peace! Let's hope he's jamming with Jerry in the stars!
  • cosmicbadger
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    Rest in Peace Merl Saunders
    Very sad about this. Let's hope he's jamming with Jerry in the stars! http://www.jambase.com/Articles/Story.aspx?storyID=15521
  • iknowurider
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    Welcome
    Stevie C, as you can see there are Truly Kind folks here.. sorry for your loss, we will bend our ears to listen. PEACE
  • stuman
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    stevie c
    so sorry to hear of such a loss ..
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Here's the place to talk about our departed loved ones -- friends, family members, tour buddies, and others we've lost along the way.
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~Hal Rowe~ (Will also add Wasserman and Deadication to canyoncritter/Scott Mattson) (~);-)Join me as I co-host the Vinyl Hour with Ned this Thursday evening as we listen to the songs of those who are gone, 2016. 92.3 KYRS at 8:00 PST. Also can be streamed, just go to the KYRS website. We will be playing the music of David Bowie, Jim Boyd, Leon Russell, Guy Clark, Prince, Mose Allison, Paul Kantner, Leonard Cohen and more. Hope you can join us. Extra bonus, it isn't just an hour, it's two hours of great tunes.
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I'm beginning to feel like a ghoul, as if I wasn't depressed enough. Thanks for the smiles and laughs. I'll never forget the closet full of walnuts. Me & my dad laughed ourselves silly. Goodbye, Mary Tyler Moore. You were SOOOOO pretty.
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13 years 9 months
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https://youtu.be/Ja0bHMzp0uo genius waiting on number three.... I hate gettin' old....reminds me of an old biker dude I took care of, had a tat of a noose with blood dripping down on his arm, spelling out...born to die morbid, yes. But true.
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It has been two years today that Dale left this space, and I sure miss him so very much. Every day there is something to bring a memory to mind. Miss shaking our bones at the shanty listening to the Grateful Dead, just living life. I miss everything about him. Know my love will not fade away 11:11 1:11 LOVE
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By Craig Davis ~ TDS TaperLast night I bore witness to one of the most exhilarating, unique and incredible musical events I have ever experienced, all in celebration of the life of Col. Bruce Hampton. The Col. (ret.) can't rightfully be accused of inventing jam music (for better or for worse) but damned if he didn't shepherd it along for over 30 years. Sitting there from the 2nd row for close to 4 hours last night as members of Widespread Panic, the Allman Bros, Blues Traveler, Govt Mule, The Rolling Stones, Leftover Salmon, R.E.M., Tedeschi Trucks, etc rotated on and off stage was magical and awe-inspiring. No one mailed it in like so many benefit concerts. People played like it mattered with an intensity and passion befitting Col. Bruce. Maybe it's because I've gotten older, had my priorities & passions redirected to my boys, or just list some of my enthusiasm for it but I find myself getting taken "there" by music less and less in recent years. Last night brought it back note by note and it felt incredible. The encore started with a crazed spacey Zambiland into Lovlight as 30+ musicians filled the stage. As solos started making the rounds Col. Bruce walked over to the kid from School of Rock and motioned for him to start ripping. He then went down to a knee and seemingly gently down against a monitor. He stayed there through the kid's solo and it seemed like a classic one of the Col's gags. He told me once how he loved to tell the audience at every show that it was someone in the band's birthday. You just knew once the song got back around to the chorus he would jump up and tell us to turn on our lovelight or else start singing from the ground - which I have also seen him do. Pure theater was the Col's way. He was 1/3 musician, 1/3 showman and 1/3 carnival barker. Then the song stretched and stretched and you could see the faces on the musicians not 15 feet away who had been smiling and laughing and pointing begin to tighten up. As the crew ran in stage finally sensing this was real, Susan Tedeschi cut the song and show short and they tried to pull a curtain across the stage. Standing in the pit we could see side stage that EMTs were furiously - and I mean with lightening speed and pressure - administering CPR and chest compressions. At that point they pulled those side stage curtains shut and staff urged folks to leave. As we hit the street it was obvious most folks had no clue what had even happened. There was joy in the air. As an ambulance later pulled away near us I noted the crew in the back were sitting still rather than working on the patient we believed to be Col Bruce inside. Never a good sign. By the time we downed waters and gatorades last night it was clear he had passed away. Only the Col. could have his wake and his birthday at the same time. It was befitting him with surreal joyousness and poignancy. I will spend some time processing what I experienced. The joy and the disbelief and now the loss of a musician I love. I have a picture of Col. Bruce and I somewhere at home. Taken at Alley Katz as we were deep into a long discussion about pro wrestling, baseball and music. The Col told me I knew all I needed to get by in life with my knowledge of those three topics. It was a special moment for me. Rest easy Col. Bruce. Thank you for taking me along on your journey and helping to lead me along my own for the last 30 years. https://scontent.fsnc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/18221789_10155130101659…
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...he sure could sing a tune. His songwriting, presentation on stage and honest delivery of those songs could stir one's heart. Thanks for the decades of music, thanks for helping us understand life, thanks for helping us to feel safe. You are one larger than life member of our musical family, and we can smile inside knowing... ...That you're waiting from the backroads By the rivers of our memories Ever smilin' ever gentle on our minds... Close your eye for a couple of minutes and give him a listen if'n you have a chance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZBxnfvv33c Rest in Peace Glen Campbell.
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13 years 9 months
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There will be peace in the valley for me, oh Lord I pray(There'll be no sadness, no sorrow, my Lord, no trouble, trouble I see) There will be peace in the valley for me Well the bear will be gentle And the wolf will be tame And the lion shall lay down, down by the lamb, oh yes And the beasts from the wild Shall be led by a child And I'll be changed, changed from this creature that I am, oh yes There Will Be Peace In The Valley someday....
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6 years 10 months
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We will always remember your crazy laugh, your rippin’ Guitar playing, your love of helping people, and what a beautiful soul you still are. 24 is far to young. I know you are playing with Jerry, Jimi Tom, and Stevie Ray, because that’s what heaven would be to you. Fare Thee Well my dear son.
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9 years 10 months
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Subject says it all.
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9 years 10 months
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Our friend in music John Perry Barlow figured it out pretty early in life, and we are all the richer because of it. Many of us used his lyrics as mantras for life, taking us down paths that needed no road...and now, now he needs no road, and we travel on. Thank you John Barlow for gracing our lives, for sharing your gifts, for giving us so much. Priceless. Know you will be missed by many and honored by so many more. Rest in Peace.
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6 years 8 months
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HIGH ! ! ! RUBY FROM LONG BEACH IS BACK ! ! ! I , HUMBLY , STATE : THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! ! ! TO : EVERY , BEAUTIFUL , SOUL , IN WHICH : I , RUBY FROM LONG BEACH , HAVE PROVIDED : LOVE ! ! ! TO . MAY I , HUMBLY , ASK : MAY MY : GRATEFUL DEAD FAMILY , PLEASE , RECEIVE : THE FURTHUR BUS . . . WITH , I , HUMBLY , ASK , A : CRIB ? SHAKEDOWN STREET IS : WITHIN : FULL , FORCE ! ! !
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My friend Marky passed over the weekend unexpectedly. I will sure miss our talks along the ride. He always had a kind word, and never tired of listening to me talk about Dale and missing him. Pain comes in many forms, and some you cannot see. I hope you are able to be free Marky, you were a good man in a fallen world. PEACE~

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7 years 7 months
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I miss my good friend George who used to cruise with me to shows and other great places in the cherry 69 chevelle. We would drive to the New Jersey meadow lands and party till the wheels fell off. Good times my departed friend!!! -- Carlo F.

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17 years 5 months
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so I will post this 'fare thee well' for my father who is now on hospice care (pancreatic and liver cancer) and will soon give up this mortal coil.

As Bob said after Lowell George died (at the Portland Raceway show in 1979) "he was good while he lasted."

Dad's heart was his gift to all of us.

"Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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Dad turned 92 in November, they thought he had kidney stones and started treatment but when the doctor performed the ultra-sound, it turned into ultra-'Oh NO' when they saw the massive tumor on his pancreas that had migrated (metastasized) to his liver.

Chick lived a great life, he was one of the 'greatest generation.' World War !!, multiple careers, last one running a resort in northern Minn. Lived there year round with my 88 year old mother, they celebrated their 67th anniversary this summer.

I will never forget one beautiful summer evening about 40 years ago, I put Garcia's first album on Dad's stereo, and cranked "The Wheel" and discussed the philosophical aspects of Hunter's words with my father. And Chick listened, and thought about what I was saying. And at one point he said to me "Yes, I get it, .......but can we turn it down a bit?" ;o}

He taught me so much by how he lived, and he even tried to tip his toe into my deadhead world.

What a guy.

"teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."

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17 years 6 months
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Many of us had the good fortune to meet her over the years. I'm happy I knew her a little bit, starting from the time she got in touch with me to put a couple of my photos in the Grateful Dead Family Album. She passed on yesterday after much ill health for many years, and is much missed.
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Met Jerilyn Brandelius with Mickey Hart at a Halloween 1974 Jerry Garcia and Merl Saunders show. Some small auditorium on Geary Boulevard in the Richmond District out towards the Cliff House and Sutro Park. Both were very kind. Big smiles as I remember.
The San Francisco foggy ruins of time.

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8 years 10 months

In reply to by Strider 808808

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Jerilyn's book is wonderful.
I hope to hear more of her story & stories.

If anyone has other memories or stories to share, please do.

Thanks for letting us know MaryE.
My Condolences.

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Last year my father Don Hill passed away and today his only and older brother Ken Hill passed away. My father was an automotive mechanic and raised my brother and I on Jerry Garcia's music, he went to over a hundred Grateful Dead shows. My uncle was a printer and had many pets and friends and helped many people quit drinking alcohol saving their lives, he went to over 300 Grateful Dead shows and probably saw Jerry play more than anyone but the band members. They were the biggest Grateful Dead fans and important members of their communities. Their love for their music lives on through us and our friends whom cover Grateful Dead here in Sacramento, Ca.
One love.

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This is the time of year when both my parents passed on. Mom back in 2nd week of September 1972, Dad eight years later 1st week of September 1980.
I’m the last of the siblings above ground.
Strong medicine. September is a bittersweet time of year. The harvest and the scythe.
Dean, your father and uncle must have been great men.
Readers, try to live life with meaning and passion.

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7 years 10 months
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My cousin Ronna who back in the 70"s gave me tapes to listen to when I was just a little kid has past away. She started me on this long strange trip with just a few tapes. She went to Egypt and the European tours with the band, she loved the band more then life itself. She was a teacher, she was a sweet heart of a person that I will miss for the rest of my days. She was a real Deadhead who was dedicated to the band and to making this world a better place. Bless you Ronna, until we meet again.

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Some here may remember Johnman and Mona from the early days of Dead Net. Both from the Pacific Northwest who became friends in this place. Both kind, generous and feisty Deadheads who endured a lot of troubles and always came back smiling. I was lucky enough to meet them (and Hal too) just the once at the Furthur show in Edgefield in September 2012, where Mona so kindly looked after JM who had trouble getting about . Both had been ill for some time, and both passed away towards the end of last year. I have not been on this site much lately, but I was thinking about them today and thought some here might remember them and want to know. Fine, fine people.

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17 years 6 months
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A lot of us here in the Bay Area are reeling from the loss of Scoop, who first came to our attention as the intrepid news guy on KSAN ("If you don't like the news, go out and make some of your own") and later KFOG with M. Dung. Also a legend in local Buddhist circles and the author of many (highly recommended) books on Crazy Wisdom. Safe travels, Scoop. Thank you.
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Hello! I wanted to make a post about my uncle, Scott Powers. He was a self-identified Dead Head. He loved the Grateful Dead, even had a tattoo on his back. I believe the music helped him get through really dark times such as abuse, addiction, and mental health crises. He died on December 31st, 2023. I have been doing research into the Grateful Dead in preparation for his celebration of life and came across this page. I just wanted to shout him out and remember him for the grateful dead, silly, and loving person he was. R.I.P. SCOTT POWERS!

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you raised four boys, and we had a wild and wonderous household.

Relentless optimism, encouragement, and the best chocolate chip cookies in the world. Norma often said "you will never know if you don't try." Boy, did we take her at her word and we all tried a lot. She challenged us to think creatively, be generous, and to practice compassion.

93 years young but these last 5 years were especially difficult for her following Dad's passing. Numerous medical complications but she was on hospice for the last two weeks with family surrounding her. Then early Saturday morning, Mom was gone. Love you forever and for always.

"She sang a little while, and then flew off"

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4 years 3 months

In reply to by Oroboros

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I am sorry to hear of your mother's passing.

It's a tough milestone to go through.

A raise of the glass to her, you, and yours.

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3 years 4 months

In reply to by Oroboros

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sorry to hear about your loss. Sounds like she did a fine Job.May she rest easy.

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10 years 2 months
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Sincere condolences on your loss.
Best wishes for you and your brothers during this difficult time.
Cheers to Mom

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by marye

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My heart goes out to you - no one like Mom.

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17 years 5 months

In reply to by Deadicated

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"See, music is infinite. There’s an infinite number of ways to do it, an infinite number of melodies that can go with a one-four-five progression, it’s absolutely infinite, no floors, no ceiling.” Phil Lesh

Box of Rain soothed my soul, Phil.

Rest in Peace.

" Teachers open the door, but you must enter by yourself."