Vince was always smiling and giving off good vibes, while everyone else in the band seemed like they were just going through the motions. Kind soul.
And that first Phil and Friends show from 94 confirms the guy has serious piano chops that were unfortunately stifled by the programing on his keyboards.
Well, he was not in a great place before he miraculously landed the position so in many ways, it was an extended lifeline for the man. Pretty sure he wouldn't have changed it for the world.
Harmony, both vocally and metaphysically, were an important puzzle pieces to the Grateful Dead and he succeeded in both respects.
Too bad he couldn't have somehow made it through that rough patch of the early 2000 decade. With the swelling resurgence of all things Grateful Dead, he most likely would have garnered increased success. No sure about happiness, but at least success.
Welnick became depressed following a diagnosis of cancer and emphysema shortly before the final Grateful Dead tour. He decided to do the summer 1995 Grateful Dead tour and wait to have surgery after it ended. Shortly after the tour was over, Jerry Garcia died. Welnick joined Bob Weir's new group, Ratdog, as the keyboard player, touring with them around the U.S. About six months after Garcia's death, Welnick attempted suicide on the tour bus to Monterey, California. He received therapy, successful cancer treatment, and management of the early stages of lung disease.
Mickey was the only one who gave him the time of day afterward. The older I get the more I realize MH to be the one who really embodies the spirit of what the GD scene was supposed to be all about. At least imho
I think it was cold hearted that they didn't invite him to thr 2 Terrapin shows at Alpine Valley but maybe they know something I don't know. I heard he was playing in the parking lot waiting to get invited.
From what I recall/understand, his relationship with Billy was contentious for some reason. He was perhaps the veto-vote in regard to not letting Vince back in the larger fold.
The suicide attempt noted above is news to me as I was always under the impression that him "over-dosing" on Weir's bus was the turning point to where he was cut off/out. Who knows - you never know what other people may be going through. RIP Vince.
personally, i find vince to be incredibly creepy, and based on experiences ive had in my own life with people who are both mentally unstable and *highly* obsessive, i kinda get why they cut him off.
when i think about the ratdog incident in 95, i cant help but wonder what happened in the weeks and months leading up to that. ive been in situations where you are constantly bringing someone back from "the edge", constantly dealing with their mental illness, and they have no outside lifeline and are not receiving treatment. its really difficult to deal with, especially when you have something going on like trying to create a full time touring band. im sure the proximity to jerrys death didnt help either, as far as the other band members being willing to deal with it.
> Having solo hog Hornsby on stage for his first year didn't help either
Yeah, it was clear that Vince was a second banana that first year. Seems like if they wanted to play with Bruce, they should have done that, and then brought in Vince after Bruce finished his stint, which would have given him plenty of time to become familiar with the material.
I got to know him a bit when he was playing with Cubenses. One of the nicest people I ever met. Always smiling. He was good at covering up his anguish.
Not sure if this is true, but I heard that after Brent died, Jerry forbid anyone playing the B3 with the band. The B3 was Vinces forte and things might have been different.....
At the end, he cut his own throat with a bowie knife. That's not fucking around.
Vince will forever be a member of the Grateful Dead.
I actually saw him play live with the Tubes on Halloween at Concord Pavilion, about nine months before I started going to Grateful Dead concerts.
First show I went to after Jerry died was Missing Man Formation at the Fillmore. There were a few hundred people there.
Last time I saw Vince was an Imagine Party on John Lennon's birthday (which is also my birthday) down by Ghirardelli Square. He played piano and sang Beatles and Grateful Dead songs. The event was hosted by Ed Rosenthal and they served a regular cake and a tainted cake.
First show I went to after Jerry died was Missing Man Formation at the Fillmore. There were a few hundred people there.<<<
I believe I still have the poster. Very good show. Pretty sure is was the first MMF gig as well. There was a heavy phoenix-rising from the ashes vibe as the crater left from Garcia's sudden void was still smoldering, particularly in SF. This show played a part in the beginning of a regenerative connective tissue. Vinnie played his heart out and I remember it fondly.
My Uncle was at Key West's Green Parrot where Vince was playing a show several months before he died and got him on the phone to say hi to me which was a pretty cool and very surprising out-of-the-blue conversation to say the least.
2nd Phil & Friends show post Garcia, only time w/Vince, Fillmore Aud, 3/26/98
Alligator> Hard to Handle, Astral Weeks, Jack-a-Roe, True Blue, Blue Sky, To Love Somebody, Cosmic Charlie
Broken Arrow, Golden Days, Baba O'Reilly> Tomorrow Never Knows> A Love Supreme Jam> Dark Star Jam> Gimme Some Lovin'> Dark Star Jam> Days Between> Dark Star Jam> Box of Rain
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: donster
GD world was a rough place
GD world was a rough place for him .....
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Ken D.
Vince was always smiling and
Vince was always smiling and giving off good vibes, while everyone else in the band seemed like they were just going through the motions. Kind soul.
And that first Phil and Friends show from 94 confirms the guy has serious piano chops that were unfortunately stifled by the programing on his keyboards.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Having solo hog Hornsby on
Having solo hog Hornsby on stage for his first year didn't help either
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb)
Yo Vinnie!
Yo Vinnie!
GD world was a rough place for him<<<<
Well, he was not in a great place before he miraculously landed the position so in many ways, it was an extended lifeline for the man. Pretty sure he wouldn't have changed it for the world.
Harmony, both vocally and metaphysically, were an important puzzle pieces to the Grateful Dead and he succeeded in both respects.
Too bad he couldn't have somehow made it through that rough patch of the early 2000 decade. With the swelling resurgence of all things Grateful Dead, he most likely would have garnered increased success. No sure about happiness, but at least success.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab
Ratdog's 1st show after his
Ratdog's 1st show after his passing: only Long Way To Go Home https://archive.org/details/ratdog2006-06-09.flac16/ratdog2006-06-09d2t0... Ratdog member 9/1>12/12/95 From Wikepedia>
Welnick became depressed following a diagnosis of cancer and emphysema shortly before the final Grateful Dead tour. He decided to do the summer 1995 Grateful Dead tour and wait to have surgery after it ended. Shortly after the tour was over, Jerry Garcia died. Welnick joined Bob Weir's new group, Ratdog, as the keyboard player, touring with them around the U.S. About six months after Garcia's death, Welnick attempted suicide on the tour bus to Monterey, California. He received therapy, successful cancer treatment, and management of the early stages of lung disease.
The Tubes w/Vince on the left, 1975 "El Paso" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLMYmCVPDjc also featuring "Felena"
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Mickey was the only one who
Mickey was the only one who gave him the time of day afterward. The older I get the more I realize MH to be the one who really embodies the spirit of what the GD scene was supposed to be all about. At least imho
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
I didn't realize he was
I didn't realize he was fighting cancer too. That's a heavy load.
>>>Mickey was the only one who gave him the time of day afterward.
That's good to know. Where did you hear that?
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: joy
He should have played the
He should have played the accordion or the grand piano a few times to mix things up
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB
I had read that Bobby was the
I had read that Bobby was the one his wife called - and he came over - when it all sadly went down on the day he died.
(Not to discount anything that Mickey or anyone else may have done)
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Stone
I almost bought his bowling
I almost bought his bowling ball and shoes at his estate sale. I ended up with a small drum.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
That's good to know. Where
That's good to know. Where did you hear that?
he brought him on the road with him in 2000 and gave him a seat in the MHB
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
I think it was cold hearted
I think it was cold hearted that they didn't invite him to thr 2 Terrapin shows at Alpine Valley but maybe they know something I don't know. I heard he was playing in the parking lot waiting to get invited.
I guess Donna and Tom weren't invited too.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Zzzzzz
Agree it was cold. One of
Agree it was cold. One of the lower moments
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Him playing in the lot at
Him playing in the lot at Alpine Valley makes me cry to this day
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb)
From what I recall/understand
From what I recall/understand, his relationship with Billy was contentious for some reason. He was perhaps the veto-vote in regard to not letting Vince back in the larger fold.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB
The suicide attempt noted
The suicide attempt noted above is news to me as I was always under the impression that him "over-dosing" on Weir's bus was the turning point to where he was cut off/out. Who knows - you never know what other people may be going through. RIP Vince.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Part 2 / Missing Man
Part 2 / Missing Man Formation @ Studio E 10.4.96
Dance The Night Away, Way To Go Home, Can't Find My Way Home, Golden Days
Vince Welnick, Steve Kimock, Prairie Prince, Bobby Vega, Bobby Strickland.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp0TM4jVp3U
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
^ Not much of a Democracy
^ Not much of a Democracy in the GD if one guy wields all the power
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway
personally, i find vince to
personally, i find vince to be incredibly creepy, and based on experiences ive had in my own life with people who are both mentally unstable and *highly* obsessive, i kinda get why they cut him off.
when i think about the ratdog incident in 95, i cant help but wonder what happened in the weeks and months leading up to that. ive been in situations where you are constantly bringing someone back from "the edge", constantly dealing with their mental illness, and they have no outside lifeline and are not receiving treatment. its really difficult to deal with, especially when you have something going on like trying to create a full time touring band. im sure the proximity to jerrys death didnt help either, as far as the other band members being willing to deal with it.
they are professional musicians, not therapists.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
the band got better
the band got better
Missing Man Formation 4-22-97 set 1 @ Studio E
(rare pic of Kimock singing)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxep4vZp6Lo
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
Vince talks about his
Vince talks about his depression after Jerry died
David Gans, Vince Welnick, Merl Saunders, Bobby Vega / Interview / 6.21.96
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYU52G9xySc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhgelvoknZc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZaChNNSNhI
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Semolina Pilchard
> Having solo hog Hornsby on
> Having solo hog Hornsby on stage for his first year didn't help either
Yeah, it was clear that Vince was a second banana that first year. Seems like if they wanted to play with Bruce, they should have done that, and then brought in Vince after Bruce finished his stint, which would have given him plenty of time to become familiar with the material.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
classic moments in Dead
classic moment in Dead history: (audio only)
Jerry Garcia and Vince Welnick Rehearsal 8/28/90
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfLzXhYHreg
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Briank
He didn't play in the Alpine
He didn't play in the Alpine lot. He played an early morning show in one of the campgrounds.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Dr. Benway
TBH it should have been pete
TBH it should have been pete sears and a female backing vocalist. pete on keys + fake donna
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
>He played an early morning
>He played an early morning show in one of the campgrounds.<
Vince Welnick Hoppe Homestead E. Troy, WI 2002 08 02
Vince solo during the weekend of the Grateful Dead Family reunion at Alpine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gbnrx-QqiM
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
In the end Vince allowed the
In the end Vince afforded the band an extended lease, basically at the expense of himself
I'm actually quite glad Pete Sears never became ensnared in all this mess
May you forever Rest In Peace Vinny
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: MarkD
I got to know him a bit when
I got to know him a bit when he was playing with Cubenses. One of the nicest people I ever met. Always smiling. He was good at covering up his anguish.
Not sure if this is true, but I heard that after Brent died, Jerry forbid anyone playing the B3 with the band. The B3 was Vinces forte and things might have been different.....
At the end, he cut his own throat with a bowie knife. That's not fucking around.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Roarshock
Vince will forever be a
Vince will forever be a member of the Grateful Dead.
I actually saw him play live with the Tubes on Halloween at Concord Pavilion, about nine months before I started going to Grateful Dead concerts.
First show I went to after Jerry died was Missing Man Formation at the Fillmore. There were a few hundred people there.
Last time I saw Vince was an Imagine Party on John Lennon's birthday (which is also my birthday) down by Ghirardelli Square. He played piano and sang Beatles and Grateful Dead songs. The event was hosted by Ed Rosenthal and they served a regular cake and a tainted cake.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Def. High
Tainted Cake = band name.
Tainted Cake = band name.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: fishcane
Better than Caked Taint I
Better than Caked Taint I suppose
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: JP (J Bomb)
First show I went to after
First show I went to after Jerry died was Missing Man Formation at the Fillmore. There were a few hundred people there.<<<
I believe I still have the poster. Very good show. Pretty sure is was the first MMF gig as well. There was a heavy phoenix-rising from the ashes vibe as the crater left from Garcia's sudden void was still smoldering, particularly in SF. This show played a part in the beginning of a regenerative connective tissue. Vinnie played his heart out and I remember it fondly.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: GDTRFB
My Uncle was at Key West's
My Uncle was at Key West's Green Parrot where Vince was playing a show several months before he died and got him on the phone to say hi to me which was a pretty cool and very surprising out-of-the-blue conversation to say the least.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Alan R
>Pretty sure is was the first
>Pretty sure is was the first MMF gig as well. <
I believe Todd Rundgren did a sit in at that show.
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: krab
2nd Phil & Friends show post
2nd Phil & Friends show post Garcia, only time w/Vince, Fillmore Aud, 3/26/98
Alligator> Hard to Handle, Astral Weeks, Jack-a-Roe, True Blue, Blue Sky, To Love Somebody, Cosmic Charlie
Broken Arrow, Golden Days, Baba O'Reilly> Tomorrow Never Knows> A Love Supreme Jam> Dark Star Jam> Gimme Some Lovin'> Dark Star Jam> Days Between> Dark Star Jam> Box of Rain
E1: It's All Too Much E2: Ripple
https://archive.org/details/1998-03-26.paf.naks.rightmyer.6410.sbeok.flacf
Scott Amendola drums, Stan Franks and Gary Lambert guitars, Bobby Strickland sax, Vince & Phil
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RIP Vince Forever Grateful
RIP Vince Forever Grateful
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: Mice elf
Vinny had a shirt for every
Vinny had a shirt for every occasion
Top of Page Bottom of Page PermalinkFull Name: doctor
Vince at Alpine Valley at the
Vince at Alpine Valley at the GD Family Reunion 8/2/2002
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Gbnrx-QqiM