• 323 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    So twice in the last week I've gotten into conversations with folks who were pretty intense Deadheads back in the day, and their general drift was look, the band no longer exists, they haven't played for 12 years. It is so Over. Get on with your life. Which, of course, is a perfectly reasonable point of view. And yet, here we are. And "we" includes people who never saw the band in the first place but definitely consider themselves on the bus now. So what's up with this? Why are we here? Discuss...

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • thump66
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Jimi Hendrix Turns Eighty _ it aint over til its OVER!
    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
  • Steve-O
    Joined:
    Strength
    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!!!!
  • robedmerlin
    Joined:
    I say This
    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..
  • iknowurider
    Joined:
    Good Point Tedhead
    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
  • Tedhead
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    more so for parking lot peeps?
    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?
  • Pohed
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    The Music Never Ends
    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.
  • GratefulSkater
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Who Needs A Life!
    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
  • nemo
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    AMEN TO THAT!
    AND VERY WELL SAID. THANK YOU TOM!
  • thohbach
    Joined:
    Post-Dead
    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
  • gypsy soul
    Joined:
    my pleasure
    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
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Forums
So twice in the last week I've gotten into conversations with folks who were pretty intense Deadheads back in the day, and their general drift was look, the band no longer exists, they haven't played for 12 years. It is so Over. Get on with your life. Which, of course, is a perfectly reasonable point of view. And yet, here we are. And "we" includes people who never saw the band in the first place but definitely consider themselves on the bus now. So what's up with this? Why are we here? Discuss...
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

There's nothing wrong with being proud of, or preferring the music of your younger days. In fact, most of the music of the '60s-'70s-early '80's was better than most of the music of the last 20 years. But when I do hear something I like, like Arcade Fire's Neon Bible, or some other good stuff on Austin City Limits, it makes me especially enthusiastic and hopeful for the future. I wouldn't call being hooked-in to a lot of the popular music of the moment a critical asset!
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

It's All Over Now? I beg to differ. If you have been to see Furthur then you know the boys in the band are still out there. In fact, they are again starting up a whole new interest from younger folks in their 20s and 30s who missed out on all the fun back "in the day." Mickey & Billy are out there somewhere on the road, with their various pick-up bands and projects also. But they seem a bit more transient as they forever shift between various line-ups. Of course, it is all over now as far as Letting The Good Times Roll and mass experiments in consciousness-raising. That is over now. Jerry passed and maybe it was time for the experiment to end. Which isn't to say that you can't do some exploring of inner space on your own. i find it fantastic to see the wide and diverse array that the deadheads have become. It is so over now and yet it is not. Clear, some have not gone Furthur enough and are still pushing their trips to the edge. Bravo Brothers & Sisters! We will survive. In fact we have survived and are thriving. So get over it, you who are "it's so over!"!
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

as the lyricists said back in the day, new ones coming as the old ones go. Or, the future's here, we are it, we are on our own. I mean, just the other day my godson the college student was pointing his parents' Deadhead pals to his latest digitally remixed rendition of Speedway. The music has worked its way into all kinds of corners of life, and the four surviving guys seem to keep finding interesting stuff to do, and people keep finding it interesting enough to follow. Meanwhile, new people keep discovering the old stuff, too. It's good to be along for the ride, or portions thereof.
user picture

Member for

15 years 3 months
Permalink

...cause I consider myself a bigger DH now than what I was from 89-95. It's sad but back then I thought being a deadhead mean't wearing tie-dyes and patchoulie and being stoned out of my fucking skull all the time. Of course I was between 17 and 25 at the time so perhaps I can be forgiven. Now being a deadhead means just listening to good music and to keep trying to be a good/kind person. I don't have the time to go on tour with Furthur or whoever else. I don't wear tie-dyes or get stoned anymore. And life is grand.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

until something more formal comes along:http://www.jambands.com/news/2012/02/13/bob-weir-warren-haynes-chris-robinson-jackie-greene-and-more-will-help-phil-lesh-open-terrapin-crossroads/ Published: 2012/02/13 Bob Weir, Warren Haynes, Chris Robinson, Jackie Greene and More Will Help Phil Lesh Open Terrapin Crossroads Phil Lesh has confirmed the opening run of shows at his new venue and restaurant Terrapin Crossroads. Lesh will perform in a number of different configurations throughout March and April, including gigs with Bob Weir, Jackie Greene, Chris Robinson, Jimmy Herring, Jaz Sawyer, Jeff Chimenti, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams and Warren Haynes......
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I missed the P& F webcast last night, but here's the setlist: Althea Scarlet Begonias -> Fire On The Mountain Saint Stephen > Layla Cryptical Envelopment -> Magic Bus -> The Other One > I Know You Rider E: Unbroken Chain GDTRFB
user picture

Member for

12 years 9 months
Permalink

the music is what keeps it from being over. example jim morrison died in 1971, but the bands popularity with younger fans(im 20 so im in that boat as well) never went away. i love the dead, and so do most of my friends. so it aint over and it will not be over. flower children are still everywhere. plus lets not forget we have bands like phish too.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Interesting. Life after Dead. Never posted here. The Grateful Dead is Still Rocking and Jamming. It just has different letters in Its' name now. Oh and a number too. Nothings changed. Life after Dead well I will let you know when we get there, if I am here then. Tomorrow Never Knows. I love you, all. It's still true.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

14 years 7 months
Permalink

its quaint that sometimes i hear whispered in the background you know she used to be a dh just because i dont run around in tie dyes and the hipster hippy attire or pack my bags at a drop of the hat to play vagabond for a couple months. its assumedthat the dead is part of my past only something i used to do,but that is further from the truth, seeing shows and going on tour was only part of the picture the music was and is the mainstay, and although ill not see jerry again it doesnt stop the music nor creativity that is and will be immortal bliss what ended was just the bizarre sideshow tours became near the end when shakedown street became more like a dirty boulevard., after 92 it actually started to be a scary world out there and touring lost its appeal. my only regret was that i didnt go to more shows in the last years but made up for it,since then by seeing alot more of bob phil and mickey and many other great preformers and smile everytime something new comes on the radio that i can put my finger on and say wow you can hear the dead influence in that song. btw my favorite is a jerry tune only heard preformed live once in all my tours that u robert hunter for making it possible.and jerry for belting it out that night, and know what i found the keys to the rain afterall.the dead wasnt a lifestyle for me it was a journey and lordy be it was a long strange trip.with many roads still left to go.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

11 years 8 months
Permalink

Hermann Hesse wrote a book titled Journey to the East, the theme of which is that while we are active participants in something we feel it is vibrant and happening but once we drop out of the thing we feel it has stopped for everyone, no matter if it remains as active and progressive for all other participants. Seems to be universal, in my experience.
user picture

Member for

14 years 10 months
Permalink

The time go? I remember being in the parking lot of a show reading a letter from the band with the usual stuff about people without tickets. The warning at the end was "When this stops ain't nothing going to bring it back." But then Jerry went to the limit and that seemed to effect the boys in the band quite a bit. I can imagine that they fely like they were in their prime as musicians and it would be a shame to break it up. Of course the name Grateful Dead was retired, as it should have been but the rest of the members of the band continued unabated. There was a period of a couple years of mourning but by 97' the Furthur Festival was back on tour as well as Ratdog and Phil & Friends shows and various side projects by the drummers. They drifted somewhat apart and to me,the closest they ever got to being back together was the 2002 Other Ones lineup that had Phil & Bruce returning with Baracco on lead. Mickey really stepped up to organize the playing and it was awesome. In 2002 the parking lot scene was still very reminiscent of a Dead show with very quality tie-dyes and other official and unofficial merch. out there. There wasn't the burnt edge of hard drugs being readily available among heads following the tour that became very evident in 2003-2004 as The Dead reunited. Then a few more years of going their separate ways and then one more tour as The Dead in 2009. Now we have Furthur for over three years thanks to Phil's transplant (Happy belated birthday Phil). The point is the scene had quality musicians and momentum and the musicians remaining seem to be willing to carry this body of music to their own deaths. And we can all remain around for the ride for as long or little as we like. Let the naysayers neg. on this one if they want. Jerry is gone along with the Grateful Dead but the music goes on and on and on and from this vantage point I see one or another of the boys carrying on for at least 5 more years. Dedication to The Heart Of Gold Band. You have to be Grateful
user picture

Member for

15 years 6 months
Permalink

They are out, both on MOFI, who are hot right, I am listening to MOFI's SACD of The ABB's "Brothers and Sisters", sounds so exquisite. They have now released "Workingman's Dead" and "American Beauty". Why isn't there a HDCD of "Mars Hotel" anywhere? Well,groovin' to "Jelly,Jelly"
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

10 years
Permalink

I've been reading in several news articles about a fan club pre sale on feb 9-11 but there's no information confirming that on the dead50 site or the gdtstoo site. I'm a member of several GD fan clubs but am not receiving any emails or info on a presale from them. Does anyone have more info? Thanks brothers and sisters, see you in chi town. Di
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

◾Dead pre sale begins Feb 12th @ 10 a.m. CST via Dead Online Ticketing. Pre-registration is encouraged, but not required. Before checking out, all users must create an account after tickets are added and before completing the transaction.
user picture

Member for

9 years 7 months
Permalink

It not JUST about the shows,it's a way of life.It's about Peace,Love,Harmony,Music,Family,and telling those youngsters how it was and can be again.I'm 61,seen everybody from Areosmith to Z Z Top.I have played( drums) for fun & professionally.Most of the people I hang out with are 30-40 years younger than I am.I'm the "Old Hippie" that tells stories of huge gatherings of people from all walks of life to come and hear music and dance in the isles.That there was no black,brown,yellow or white there was only US a peaceful group of like minded individuals. I tell them we don't need no stinkin' guns.Spread the love,share the music,get involved,stand up against social injustice,Make A Difference.Pass those stories of awesome gathering and great shows on to the younger generation and have them pass it along.Is Hendrix,Janis, The Dead & Led Zeppelin still relevant? .........HELL YES Peace The Dude
user picture

Member for

17 years 4 months
Permalink

well, based on the phenomenal interest in Fare Thee Well before,during AND after both runs, I'd say this question is a bit premature. But if you're over it, that works for you. (the generalized "you" of course)
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

It's safe to say FTW put a different aspect on things...
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 9 months
Permalink

....don't hear her singing yet..... that's just Donna ;-)
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

Howdy folks, Been a .com member for a long time, but never had much to say...until Fare The Well. Put out for ppv for the first time for the last concert. Best 50 bucks I ever spent. It was profound for me. The Dead have been the sound track of my life since '65 and my wife and me from '72-'12. She would have liked this concert. Wait until November for the cd/dvd release? I'll never make it! Have some good video and instrument, but yet to find a good vocal video. The second set YouTube share of the complete second set from Zoe Alyse is the only video set I've found and the crowd sounds damp the vocals...like if you were there; the vibe is like live. Got the whole soundboard audio, no vid. YouTube is new to an old codger like me. Only Dead vids drew me in and then, not until I got a Roku Streaming Stick to access YouTube on my TV. High recommendation for a really inexpensive entertainment add-on. Just know you don't stream from your device to the TV, you get to access stuff you have "in the Cloud", which is pretty cool getting my Pandora and YouTube playlists played over good speakers and get that body feel and not just audio in my head. You can get me at rickpucko@yahoo.com also.
user picture

Member for

17 years 5 months
Permalink

I think not..for some maybe, but not me.September will be my third straight Lockn Music Festival in VA! Great fun Great vibes Great shows! Phil, Billy with their current bands this year...Bobby the last two as well. Also had the opportunity to meet and converse with Sam Cuttler (former band mgr) last year. Who knows what lies ahead unless you go furthur... Check out the 4 day schedule..so many great reasons to stay on the bus! iGrateful
user picture

Member for

9 years 11 months
Permalink

I never saw Jerry. I have a fear of buses and basically anything that resembles an "us". A friend tells me last December "Listen to an Althea" I was moved. Then I came here and found a beautiful family. I was blessed to be able to attend all 5 FTW shows. I was changed forever. Am I on the bus? Am I a Dead Head? I don't know but I am honored to share this earth with such a beautiful group of human beings.
user picture

Member for

15 years 6 months
Permalink

I have come to embrace the fact that the 'Grateful Dead' is an entity that lives on in all those incredible songs. They have an enduring quality that continues to have meaning for people. They really were Built To Last! Listening to Stu Allen rip it up at the last Jerry Day it occurred to me that Jerry's unique form of mind expanding guitar work could be thought of as a sort of spiritual or wisdom tradition wherein in a lineage of great guitar players could keep the music alive far into the future. I think any so called Head who has decided 'it's over' probably never really went to shows for the music anyway. Not that there weren't a thousand other good reasons to go, I guess. I can understand people not wanting to look back and there's a hell of a lot of great music out there to sustain them. Hey, each to their own.