Grateful Dead

I find it ironic that the same reasons the deadheads like the dead are the same reasons the non-deadheads dislike the dead. Cases in point: 1) Generally considered a rock band the dead have country songs and integrate jazz, bluegrass and acid rock into their style. Most rock fans do not appreciate such things. Deadheads do. 2) The dead is associated with drugs and the consuming of said substances. The mainstream rock fan acknowledges this and partakes to a point but does not endorse or publicly admit their involvement in such activities. Most deadheads embrace it be it alcohol, maryjane or (insert vice here). 3) Some of us "get it" because we are open minded, the general public is not. 4) The dead make a lot of mistakes. Poor harmonies (not limited to Donna, Phil), Jerry solos sometimes on but can be off, forgotten, missed and blown lyrics. Bobbys Vegas lounge act. The mainstream can't handle this and are turned off. Deadheads (professional, old or young, hippy, business man, homeless person and every type of person in between) are very tolerant and accepting of these mistakes because we know that the dead as a band bring us to so many different heights that no other band could. Seeing them live was a whole different experience than seeing any other musical artist or performance...

Ok lets get down to it First off just finished watching my last of all my vhs dead. Backstage pass Downhill from here Dead Ahead Ticket to new years (87-88) Fantastic show the ticket to new years and it has special significance for me personally. It was my initiation to the dead (as the story was told about 500 posts ago). It's a must watch for sure, great jovial band interviews during the break and comedic shorts (aka Mickey as Spock). RIP Brent, Jerry and Leonard. Anyway I got hooked back into the dead after this new tour revelation and watching all these vids after buying and watching Sunshine Daydream (plug the 'dreamers :-) ) I am rediscovering what I love and have loved about this band if you can even call them just a band they are so much more. I am truly blessed to be able to have got the message and the vibe from this band that so many others have missed... (to be continued)

My story sounds familiar, long-term fan who saw them first in Oakland in the late 70's while going to high school in the Bay Area. I was hooked. My last show woul've been at Buckeye Lake in I think ''94. Had a ticket, but life got in the way and could not go. Fast forward to Jan 2015 and I was excited about the announcement of the 50th Anniversary shows. I sent in mail order for four $95 tickets for July 4. About a month later got the dreaded rejection letter. My three friends and I were bummed but not too worried figuring with three days of tickets available, we would get some in the ticketmaster sale with no big deal. On Feb. 28th, went to work where there is a faster connection and right at 10a put in for 4 best available tickets for the July 4th show. Very quickly I had the spinning sign saying a 5 minute wait time. Ninty minutes later I had a sick feeling I was screwed. I spoke with my wife who is not a fan about going solo. She understood why I really wanted to go, but when I checked on stubhub for a ticket I was shocked at the prices. No way was I going to pay $700 for a behind the stage ticket (I didn't want to bother to go and stare at the back of stage). I kept checking ticket prices and remained discouraged until early this week when I saw the $425 ticket in 215 on eBay Klang discussed in an earlier post and thought that price is one I will and can do as the seat was full view. However, that ticket scared me as the seller had 0 feedback and I didn't want to go to all this effort and not have a ticket. The day that ticket expired I saw another July 3rd ticket on eBay in section 311 with a buy it now of $550 or make an offer. After going back and forth with the seller over the next day we settled on the $425 amount I was comfortable paying. It's still a crazy price - and by far the most I've ever paid for a ticket, but I'm very excited the trip and concert are now really going to happen. Even better, my friends are now looking for singles and we'll go a a group if they score or I'll go to my first concert ever solo knowing I'll be among thousands of friends. In sum, Klang's advice was right on for me Lastly, maybe they'll play a couple of my favorite songs - Althea and Cassidy. See everyone in the parking lot!