Well, OK, our old friend Rock has moved on. *Way* more than nine lives, by my count.
Where to begin? When last we spoke, he was as full of wonder and curiosity as when we first met him back at the Acid Test. His mischievous sense of adventure made him a perfect candidate for the position of manager for a band with similar sensibilities and and an equally similar disregard for the way things were supposed to be done.
We bowled ahead and made history together, - the kind people write books and make movies about. Rock was a BIG part of it all. He put in the miles with us. He knew the words to all the songs. He knew the right things to say, to tell people, to let them know what we were all about without ever actually explaining anything, because he knew it couldn't be explained.
What a guy.
Vaya con Dios, Rock, we'll be catching up...
Cheers,
Weir
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Well, OK, our old friend Rock has moved on. *Way* more than nine lives, by my count.
Where to begin? When last we spoke, he was as full of wonder and curiosity as when we first met him back at the Acid Test. His mischievous sense of adventure made him a perfect candidate for the position of manager for a band with similar sensibilities and and an equally similar disregard for the way things were supposed to be done.
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In the words of Jerry Garcia
To quote Garcia from San Francisco Chronicle article, March 1973 at funeral for Pigpen"It was a good rap".
Inspiration, move me brightly
Rock Scully, the Grateful Dead's manager from 1965-1985, passed from this world on Tuesday. As Bob Weir expressed, Rock enjoyed getting things done in atypical ways, just like the band he managed and the music he loved. There is inspiration to be had from him. A long time ago at a show, I passed by the soundboard where he was milling and I recognized him with a smile and a quiet, "Hey, that's Rock Scully." He returned the smile with a friendly wave, a nice gesture to some skinny Deadhead kid from a very busy man. I never forgot it. The Dead's staff and crew were known to us and just as important to the Deadhead Family as the band. In fact, they are the ultimate Deadheads.
Thanks, Rock, for all you did for Grateful Dead music.
You certainly did Rock.
Rest easy.
-Rolfe
My Dad and I always signed
My Dad and I always signed off with each other for more than thirty years ,Vaya con Dios, so I share that sentiment for Rock with Weir. Vaya con Dios.
NYT Obit
Nice write-up in the Sunday New York Times:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/21/arts/music/rock-scully-grateful-dead-…
RIP Rock
I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone;I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone;
Gonna miss your baby, from rolling in your arms.
Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest;
Laid down last night, Lord, I could not take my rest;
My mind was wandering like the wild geese in the West.
The Sun will shine in my back door someday.
The Sun will shine in my back door someday.
March winds will blow all my troubles away.
I wish I was a headlight, on a North bound train;
I wish I was a headlight, on a North bound train;
I'd shine my light through cool Colorado rain.
I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone;
I know you, rider, gonna miss me when I'm gone;
Gonna miss your baby, from rolling in your arms.
Rock on, Rock.
Thank you for your role in the long, strange trip.
Rock's book is funny
Rock's book was from a down-to-earth, working man's perspective. The 1982-84 slide, however, was really painful to look back upon as a fan of the music.
Rock will be missed...
One of the pleasures of my life is being born in 1965. So, as my life long band turns 50 I do as well! The songs have weaved into my life as has Rock and all the rest of the pranksters. Read all the books, heard most the stories, and lived kindly through his oversight of the GD.
His ability to guide during the years of drama and youth through the passing of bandmates and friends always appeared to be a gift only he owned.
My thoughts and prayer to the family.
Best,
Gratefuljeff / Chicago
Rock Scully Tribute
My grandmother once said, "show me your friends and I'll tell you a bit about yourself".Rock was truly a kindred spirit of the Dead. Birds of a feather. I always thought he was part of the band back in the Haight/Asbury days. Live on Rock. You'll always be remembered.
ChrisKat
Long Time Head
Rock Scully
Thanx Rock for Altamont where the racist Hell's Angels (that allegedly was your idea to bring in & serve as security)went berserk & killed several people, including one on the silver screen. & the Dead turned tail & went home. Nice one y'all!
Scully & the ? of Edit
No editing whatsoever...1st Ammendment rules apply...
speak from the asses mouth
@longlivehendrix If you don't have anything good to say about a legend who has passed on, then you should keep your comments to your self.
Yes you can edit your comments if you log in. Please do.
Altamont corrections
"Thanx Rock for Altamont where the racist Hell's Angels (that allegedly was your idea to bring in & serve as security)went berserk & killed several people, including one on the silver screen. & the Dead turned tail & went home. Nice one y'all!" - LongLiveHendrix
Wrong, on so many aspects. You need to brush up on your history.
1) 1 person was killed at Altamont. This was after he wielded a loaded revolver and aimed it at other humans with the intent to kill (he had told his girlfriend this, who pleaded with him to calm down and relax.) Thus, he was pounced on by Hells Angels (fortunately) and one Hells Angel stabbed the gun wielding maniac to death. The young man got what he deserved. If you go waving a loaded gun around with intent to kill you ought to be ready for some consequences. His murder-intending actions are caught on film in Gimme Shelter. See for yourself.
2) Scully didn't organize security for Altamont, thus it wasn't his idea to bring in the Hells Angels. The concert organizer was Michael Lang, and the site was chosen at the last moment. This created many problems, one of which was a hasty stage design (too low). Another last moment decision was the security, but not by Scully. They were hired by the management of the Rolling Stones, not the Grateful Dead, and not Scully. Perhaps Robert Cutler can be blamed, but not Scully.
I'd understand if you had subjective personal opinions to offer, but this is just history, man. This is objectively verifiable, and you have just blown it.
Remembering Rock Scully
I met Rock only once in Atlanta at the Fox in May 1977. The previous year I carried some equipment as a favor for a Kingfish show at Alex Cooley's electric ballroom in Atlanta. A few of us were offered cash to load equipment onto truck. I passed on the money but asked Bob if i could instead get a BS pass when the band was back touring and he agreed. The next time they played the Fox Theatre was 5-18-77 I believe . Rock left me a pass keeping good on the deal i had made with Weir. I got to the Fox at 3p.m. that day and went inside and sat down in what i thought was an empty theatre. It wasn't long before I heard unmistakable guitar riffing. Jerry was playing through a small amp. I sat and heard him play Hey Jude among other stuff. Then afterwards what i consider to this day possibly a reward for not bothering him while he was playing, Jerry came out from the back and sat down on the bench next to me and we chatted until the rest of the band showed up. But if Rock had not been so cool and taken me for my word about my deal with Bobby I would not have had another great memory to carry with me. Thanks Rock !! And for the Long Live Hendrix guy that offered us the flawed historical trivia about Altamont, understand that the 1st amendment does protect our freedom of speech but offers no protection from making ass's of ourselves , but of course you already know that. Peace fellow Deaders .
Rock Scully - long may he wave!
I met Rock briefly when he was selling his narrative CD's and meeting people near the (2nd) Further bus, at the Further Festival - what - four years ago now? at Angels Camp. The Calaveras County Fairgrounds (Frogtown), to be specific. I reminded him of the time in Eugene, Oregon, when people came through the halls of the Hilton and said, "Everyone get back in their rooms - now! - This is from Rock Scully!" Because the hotel security staff would be up there next. Rock smiled and said, "Well, we had to do SOMETHING". Rock was everything good that's been said about him, as far as I could tell in a 5 minute conversation. I'm surprised to see him gone - he seemed in robust health at the time. I still have his own special Grateful Dead sticker - the horse collar of roses with his big jawed skull grinning in the middle of it. Glad I got to meet him!
1st amendment rules
Of course you can say what you want, no one has the right to tell you to edit your posts...unless your posts directly violate site rules/guidelines (and they don't). Even if your posts did violate the rules, we as members (as opposed to staff) STILL don't have the right to tell you to edit your posts. We, just the same, have the right to THINK whatever we want of your posts. I wasn't at Altamont. I was four years old.