Grateful Dead

What a story, and I hope you find these guys. You may want to post this in the In Search of People thread as well.

Hello All, I'm new to this group, but I'm hoping this chat might help me find someone I've been looking for for decades. Way back in 1991, I was arrested at the Sept. 4-6 shows at Richfield Coliseum (Cleveland/Akron, OH). My arrest was on day two (Sept. 5, 1991), and I had to spend the next two days in the Summit County Jail.

My parents were able to post bail from Wisconsin, and arranged for my brother and sister-in-law to drive the 10 hours there to pick me up. But they wouldn't be there until the next day. When I was released, I was required to leave the premises ASAP, but the jail was in the middle of nowhere. I had no one to pick me up, no place to stay, nothing to eat, and just enough money to make a couple phone calls at the pay phone just outside.

Just then, three cool guys from the Toronto, Ontario area parked near me. One or all of them had been arrested at one of the shows as well, and were released on bail just after I was. They could tell I was lost, and they asked me if I needed help. I told them my story, and they drove me into Akron, we stopped for dinner (they paid), and they drove me to multiple hotels until we found one that would let my Mom pay with her credit card over the phone. I thanked them many times, and they wanted nothing in return. I tried to remember their names, but I failed. Once they knew I was safely in my room, they left. 

The next Monday was the arraignment. I was appointed a public defender, who I met there that morning, and he represented me before the judge. Once we were done, those three same guys were there, and I thanked them again. This time they needed help. They had an attorney hired, but he wasn't able to be there that day, so they had no one to represent them for the arraignment. I asked my public defender if he could help them, or if anyone else could. He said his hands were tied. Not only that, but my brother and sister-in-law were in a hurry to get back on the road, as they had to get back to work the next morning, after being gone on my account the past 5 days. 

My gut sank as I had to tell them there wasn't anything my lawyer or I could do. I still think about that regularly, almost 35 years later. I wish I could go back in time and beg someone to help them, and stay there until someone did. It's still one of the biggest regrets of my life.

I just want them to know how much their selflessness meant to me. I've told my wife, my family, and most of my best friends about them several times over the years. That whole arrest and their kindness changed my life. I haven't touched drugs since then. I never did much before then either, but it sealed the deal for me. I've tried to pay it forward every single chance I've had, and could count a hundred times the past 3 1/2 decades when I have. But it still doesn't ease my wish to tell them how much it meant to me.

So I'm hoping someone out there on this chat might know who these three guys might have been, If so, I would be grateful if you can tell them about this chat and have them reply to it if they're willing. They deserve to know they're my heroes.

Sincerely, Joe L from Wisconsin 

Twenty years ago today I sat front row center for a Grateful Dead concert! Mail ordered tickets for this three-night run in Richfield and got great seats for each show. But when I arrived on the second night, I went down to the floor, handed the usher my ticket, and he walked me straight to the front of the stage and then sat me down directly under Bobby's mic! "More than this I will not ask." I had to dodge Bobby's spit a few times during Miracle. So, very belatedly, I'd like to express my gratitude and say thank you, Grateful Dead Ticket Sales, for a REAL good time!