Grateful Dead

I've been reading the comments about the shortage of tickets to the Chicago shows this summer along with comments about scalpers and folks coming to shows for reasons other than the music. I had thought myself about trying to make the trip myself for some or all of the shows (from the Cleveland area) but knowing tics were going to go fast, the expense, etc., I decided to pass. I'm just old enough that I caught many shows '90-'95 and feel very blessed that I saw the Dead when I did. Even back then, there were people coming to shows, unfortunately, who were not into the spirit of the music or the scene...if some of you remember, the band at that time was issuing statements about all of the "nonsense" going on in the parking lots, etc. and threatening to stop touring if things didn't change. Unfortunately, Jerry's passing made those issues moot. There were also scalpers back then, too, and folks who were selling copies of shows in the lots, etc., driven by the money. As I mentioned previously, over time the element of folks coming to shows for no other reason than to see how drunk they could get, or how much nitrous they could inhale, began to overshadow the rest of the many good folks who lived simply, loved the music and the spirit of the band, and came for "the right reasons". I was in the crowd at Deer Creek in July '95 when those idiots came up over the back of the venue and crashed the gates, ruining that day's show and forcing the band to cancel the next night's show. I guess my point is, I am thankful for (most of)the experiences I had, the many many kind people I met, and all of the great music. I love the Dead's music from all eras (admittedly I'm a bit more fond of '72-'77)and I am glad to have been a part of it all. I am also very thankful that the core four, GDP, and others have kept the spirit of the music alive over the past twenty years, through dead.net, vault releases, and support of other activities in the music/Dead communities. We are very fortunate in that respect. However, I am content to let others carry the torch forward for the 50th shows, and I hope and pray the crowds this summer for the Chicago shows are peaceful and full of the kindness and love I experienced 20-25 years ago.In the meantime, I'm going to cue up Dave's Picks 13, pop open an ice cold Sam Adams, and reminisce a bit :) Many blessings to all of you

The feelings and sights and hallucinations from those days I will never, never forget. cant forget the smells. whether it be of the arena itself or the car rides while touring or hotel rooms we ruined with our high quality smoking.

Great stories, kinda reminds me of me laugh out loud. To me, back in the day, substance abuse and the Grateful Dead kinda went together like peanut butter and jelly. The feelings and sights and hallucinations from those days I will never, never forget. I was also reminded, very gently by my mentor dead head that we are the scene, we protect this wonderful dance party, we make it great, or really bad. If you are cool, the music will be sweet. Some of the best chemicals I ever got, I got at a dead show. In fact, when the Dead came into town, so did the Owsley. It was wonderful, magical, surreal, beautiful, all rolled into one. I would not trade any of it for anything. We are the lucky ones, we out lived out demons. About Jerry fest, this is the one to be at folks, look at that line up, how will they do it in 3 to 4 hours? It's the band, with Hornsby playing with all of these special guests. I can't wait for this one, tickets tomorrow, they will sell out just as fast as this Chicago fiasco. Soooo much closer to the home front, no trey (thank God and the promoters and the bands for that choice) a much better venue, a better line up, sorry folks, but all of you who paid 200.00 plus for no view behind the stage tickets, just got pranked, big time. As PT Barnum so eloquently stated years ago "There's a sucker born every minute" and "never give a sucker an even break" look out for that sign that says "through these doors...." "NEVER trust a prankster"