60th anniversary D&C GG Park update

The Rich men in The Summer Fog .. Say just grease up your tight lil.. ah FDS.

Let's see if they do an MSG run in September!

Update: as a long time fan of Grateful Dead music, who has seen Bobby Weir hundreds of times, I'm glad people are out there having a good time and definitely encourage all to go enjoy life while you can. If this your jam, by goodness, go jam it up. 

Here's a few reasons I won't be going, and yeah, no one asked:

1. I can't afford it. More importantly, I wouldn't pay it. I stopped seeing Weir when his ticket price went over $100. He's too inconsistent for my concert dollars. This thing is like a wannabe dead lite coachella

2. The weakest band of the post grateful dead alumni projects somehow is the most famous, the most expensive, yet has the least amount of songs in their pool, and least amount of jams, and is the most accessible for the mainstream audience. Thanks John Mayer

3. I'd rather go to Mexico City, see a mariachi band and eat tacos every day and spend 85% less on the whole trip

4. Gen X rant over

> Thanks John Mayer

it literally hurts me. I know part of this is generational angst and conflict, but the Grateful Dead used to have all kinds of people who were concert attendees, homeless, poor, rich, blue collar, white collar, preppie kids, wooks

but now Dead & Co seems to be a vehicle for white affluent millennials to be seen on social media 

The airplane selfies on the way to Vegas were insufferable 

Another thing that's insufferable: I know this guy locally who is close to my age, probably 10 years younger, and Dead & Company is what got him into the Dead. No shame in that, that's for sure, and its exciting that new fans are still being made! When he asked me if I was going to see Dead & Co on the last tour, he seemed to have his feelings hurt when I, very carefully and diplomatically said, "No, not a big fan, but have fun". I kept my worse opinions to myself.

But it seemed to much for him. He couldn't understand. He started to press me. "If you don't like them, what other bands DO you like". Again, I carefully explained that the surviving members have had many bands since the demise of the Grateful Dead, and I've seen most of them, and preferred all of them to this one. 

The insufferable part: I sent him links to recordings. The Other Ones, Phil Lesh Quintent, Furthur, even Ratdog

Nothing. No response. Been a couple of years now. I think his love for Dead & Co is similar to when many people fell in love with the Grateful Dead. Whatever era you got turned onto, that was your favorite era, even if it sucked (1995 for example), and no one can tell you otherwise. To suggest recordings of bands that DON'T sound like Dead & Co must have been a bridge too far for him

Maybe one day he'll get bored and check them out

I spend time on Reddit, and there's some folks there who pretty much insist that D&C are equivalent to the GD, and even superior to them in some ways. Their insistence, I think, is fueled in part by the younger generations' obsession with authenticity. While I can appreciate that in some ways, saying something is so doesn't make it that way, and it just comes off as obnoxious in my eyes.

Enjoy what you've got, just don't try to convince me that what you have is what we had.

And as for your friend, Lager, you should invite him to Viva. We could use some fresh meat new blood.

Uncle John is coming to take his children home

ignore at your own peril

I think Viva, and message boards in general, aren't as easy vehicles for self promotion, especially visually, as much as social media is. You can, but it takes more work. You can't just plaster your selfie over and over and build a fan base. Try that here, and folks will troll you. Because of that, I don't think the friend's gonna be interested. Also, he hasn't reached out to me since I sent him links to bands that aren't Dead & Co. 

Regarding the phenomemon of liking Dead & Co more than the GD or calling them the equivalent, I probably said something stupid like that when I did the first 1998 Other Ones tour. You get excited, and its very real in the moment, and you get arrogant. "How could anyone else's experience with something else be more real than my own?"

As we age, we realize its not the case. Only by looking back do get a tiny bit more objective about what took place. I'm a DSO fan, and I can't tell you how many people have turned them into a band bigger than the band they play tribute to. Which is weird!

Just enjoy music and don't do that

Pigpen, Jerry, Phil

Keith, Brent, Vince

Hunter, Barlow

and the honor roll is much longer than that

Mike wrote:

^^^ I spend time on Reddit, and there's some folks there who pretty much insist that D&C are equivalent to the GD, and even superior to them in some ways.^^^

Ha! I guess nothing should surprise me anymore.   For starters even the ENERGY level and anticipation of a Grateful Dead concert w/ Jerry Garcia was off the hook compared to the mild enthusiasm shown today. (to see what i mean roll the youtube video below) If you like SLOW as SHIT and boring then this is for you.  Tell me I'm wrong.

I would take Jerry at his worst over the best DeadCo show.  I've basically been to every Dead and Company bay area show they've played since it began in 2015.

Went to one Sphere show and the highlight was Drums just bc of the Haptics, for me.

Not going to the GGP shows this time since I shelled out a tiny bit less for the 'last shows ever' at Oracle not even two years ago.

If you go have a good time but this amount of $$ charging for subpar AT BEST music and the associated demand is pretty baffling.  

Anyone on here think this is better than ANY GD show? Probably the lowlight of DeadCo for me, what a way to sleep into the new years.  

https://youtu.be/hppwqfKcNR4?si=ZuYH9Hg_vhto6tti&t=489

I think I left shortly thereafter.  All this makes my 1988 $17.50 Hampton show among others seems like an absolute steal! So glad i got what i could get starting at 16 (1986) - to this day the best moments of my life were Grateful Dead concerts, why we are all here I assume to be true.  Jerry Garcia lives on forever in my heart ears and soul!

> "How could anyone else's experience with something else be more real than my own?"

I was pretty much the opposite of that for the longest time, Lager. I saw most of my shows in the 80s, and could never shake a sense of loss or regret for not having been able to see the band before my first show in 78, while at the same time knowing that what I was seeing was pretty spectacular at more shows than not.

That did change for me though in the wee hours of February 19, 2001, as I stumbled out of Maritime Hall absolutely in awe of the show I had just seen. I remember telling my buddy at the time that I no longer had regret for not having seen the early GD because the Quintet had just played a show that seemed to comprise something like the entire history of the GD in three sets. Must have been the doses? Maybe, but the February 18th show at the Maritime has stood up over the years as one of the most exhilarating nights of GD music since Jerry passed.

Hi All,

A few thoughts 

1. Why would you go to Dead and Co shows since 2015 if you don't enjoy them.  

2. We know what we know and our experiences in the Grateful Dead universe are all individual.   My first show was in 83 at 15.   My understanding of the music and culture around GD has shifted, matured, changed over the years.    What I loved about the Dead @ 15 is very different from what I love about them now.   But it's all love.  

3. Every evolution of the Dead has had it's own following and it a lot has to do with the music you were able to see at the time.   I remember in 83 having conversations with guys who were seeing them in the late 60's and 70's and being dismissive about the "new dead heads", then the Touch Heads and being told we weren't true deadheads simply because we were born too late.  

4. The Dead from the very beginning always attracted a " white affluent " audience, you think that is something new?  Nothing has changed except their ability to share the experience  on social media.   And yes some are douche bags but there has always been this subset of  deadheads.  This is nothing new and dates back to the very beginning in the 60s.   Being affluent doesn't make you less of a deadhead just as being broke wouldn't either .  

5. In the end, for all of us it shouldn't be about the era, the band on stage, the few douches in the crowd , it's about the songs.  I love it all.   Our opinion on who does it the best is really meaningless, the only important thing is the music makes people happy, the words make us think . And you as an individual can choose to  listen or not listen to what ever you want to.  My 19 loves Dead and Co and I love seeing them with him  but no need to criticize those who love what they love. Dead and Co, DSO, JRAD, etc they are all preaching from the same gospel even if the delivery differs a bit. 

Listen to the music play. 

Todays presale sold out in ten minutes 

YO - VtHead - eloquent and poignant and yeah...same hymnals, different congregations singing along...thank you

IF single day tix aren't too pricey I might check out the Friday show.  I haven't seen Billy Strings yet and it would fun to be back in the park with a bunch of heads. 

That being said, that will likely be my last deadco show as I just don't dig Mayer's vocals and jamming style.  

I am curious to see (hear) if Oteil sounds better on a big outdoor system than he did at the Sphere shows I saw.  

Those were the only time I've seen D&C and I don't know if they just didn't have him turned up there what.  

Of course there's no bassist like Phil, so I know volume alone won't come close to satisfy what I'm craving, but it would be nice to have a bigger bass presence.

^ I'm no fan of this band but Ill be there for Fri and Sunday. My second and third Deadco shows.

I met my wife because of a Phil show at the Warfield in the last century and these shows fall on our 20th wedding anniversary. 

She wants to go.... I"m there . I promised not to rag on the band (at least during the shows).

I' m considering it my anniversary party and they are the cover band I hired.  I'll have fun there and at Jerry Day with old friends. 

Hope to randomly run into a couple Zoners. 

Not losing any sleep over this. I'll go Friday for the Billy set and hopefully a special set for JG Bday. 

>but it would be nice to have a bigger bass presence.<

Totally agree. Oteil plays too "smooth" or "nice," for lack of a better description. On the rare occasions when I hear DeadCo on the radio, I have a hard time focusing on him.

Phil often played with a certain amount of "arrogance" or swagger combined with innate orchestral sensibilities, that make him integral to the GD sound. He was a lead player in the most interwoven of moments. He continuously vibrated your molecules even when he wasn't dropping bombs. I can always focus on him.

Oteil, bless is heart, is a gifted sideman in this band.

What's become of Billy? Not a peep?

I recently got an email regarding a nugs.net rebroadcast of his Mahalo shows, but that's it.

I'm guessing he can afford one of those ultra-VIP booths if he chooses to honor us with his 60 year presence. I'd actually like to see him MC the event, but he probably will be manning his "Official Grateful Dead Billy Bud" booth.

Langerado is my mouthpiece here

but also, oteil is a WEAKLINK

when he was at the Cap for Phil's bday, his weakness and lack of presence was palpable, in an empty sort of way. you could taste what was not there.

then on the Q day with Grahame on BigBrown, it was Mighty. The Power and the Glory

oh, yea. so, this dandc band. first it's apt that they are named after a horrible #ladyprocedure

bobby may have ever been good on his own, i wouldn't know.

his SLOCO pace is undanceable and that's why i go. to be moved

and, maybe most importantly mayer is a pedophile, I believe Women.

will always stick with:

if weir was playing in my backyard he'd be arrested for trespassing

except now he'd only show up for a cool milly

also:

the last thing Alan said

we are collectively moleculedforever by Phil and are better for it

i'd see sturgil and split.

I'm not interested, but just tried to get tix for a friend... sold out.

In fairness to Oteil he's usually buried in the mix and Bobby's guitar is way too loud. When they're jamming it's the opposite, Weir's cat-torture tone gets turned down and you can hear Oteil playing some killer stuff. He's the low man on the totem pole. Same when he played with the Allmans. But it's a great gig for him so he's not gonna bitch about it.

Still holding out hope that Billy announces a Bay Area show around that time. If he doesn't, then I'll be at the Park on Friday. Assuming Billy will be sitting in Dead Co, and would certainly elevate the music and the vocals. 

Got 3 x Sunday.  Can't wait to hang put with all my zoner friends.  Smiles 

Hey Mike. Re 2/18/2001. ABSOFUCKINLUTELY!!

What the hell, it's my 60th anniversary year too.  I'm in for all three.  

Now just have to work out lodging and travel.

....

When the Super VIPers find some really young heads to flaunt their Deadsume to on Golden Gate Park lot

.

I hate to break it to you folks, but lots and lots of Gen X and Boomers are really into DeadCo, and lots saw Jerry, a lot.

When I see pics from Sphere and the Mexico thing It's mostly olds. Who the hell else can afford those prices?

Don't ruin their perceptions Brian.

I like Dead & Co a lot, the band scratches an itch for me and John Mayer pays the music the respect it deserves. I have been to 25 Sphere shows, LOVE THE SPHERE! and seen them around 50 times.I do not regret it at all and the band continues to get tighter and add songs I want to hear to their catalog. I do not give a shit that it is all a money grab not to much isn't these days. Would I rater see The Q? Yes! Did I see the Grateful Dead? Yes over 200 times along with JGB (with Jerry) like 50-70 times and Bob Weir Band , Bobby & The Midnights, ect. I will be at the Golden Gate Park shows Sat & Sun and am looking forward to the party. It cracks me up how many slam this band who have never seen the band.

It's funny to see Deadheads using the "cash grab" accusation.

What do you think was shaking on Shakedown Street?  Selling blotter for 5-10 times what you paid for it?

Nowadays, I can go to the local dispensary and buy well-trimmed ounces of quality buds for $50-$80.  Seems like it was hard to get good weed for under $300 an ounce or $50 an eighth on lot or pretty much anywhere back in the day.  

comparing a bunch of aging millionaires overcharging people for stupid trinkets being compared to compensating average working/middle class people trying to make themselves enough money for a fun and stable life, who are taking a pretty extreme legal risk, might be one of the stupidest things i have ever read on the zone. 

It's definitely one of the stupidest things I've read on the zone

Agreed, and it made me wonder how much Dave marks up his merchandise.

Most people like our pricing, Mike.  How else do you suppose we've stayed in business all these almost 20 years.

But that's not really the point, and I don't get why you think it's cool to go there.  Basic douche behavior.

You guys sure got sensitive when I just pointed out that there is all types of hustling.  I'd suggest if you live in glass houses, you shouldn't throw stones.

never been accused of being the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I've noticed in my 60 yrs that the process of evolution seems to gives no fucks if anyone is pleased with the outcome.

For me the whole thing just feels tone deaf. Let's a throw a three day party while the country becomes a dictatorship to celebrate a band that was always a counter point to authoritarians, and yeah I get the original dead got the same criticism. I just think I would throw up in my mouth listening to people sing along to Throwing Stones while they book their Waymo to take them back to their hotel. 

That said no hate for the people who want to go - have fun I wish I could, no hate for charging what they are charging - I mean a free show would be a wook fest shit show. 

Not particularly a big fan of the current incarnation of the GD, but I had to remind myself that many heads left "the scene" when Pigpen / Keith / Brent / Jerry passed on.  Each time, new fans replaced those who left, and the show kept going. Thankfully.

Some heads from the 70's blamed new fans from the 80's as to what was wrong with the scene. Some fans from the 80's blamed fans from the 90's as to what was wrong with the scene,  and on it goes.  Wash, rinse, repeat.

it's bad

it's ok to say it out loud

Oteill at 3/4 Phil's Street Naming/Bday weekend, wherever he was in the mix, he moved me in no way. no bombs were dropped and the loss of Phil was starkly palpable and left me feeling sad and empty.

when Grahame stepped up on the 15th the Power and Glory were had. 

so that is my take on him, even tho i surely said that up there 

 Re 2/18/2001. ABSOFUCKINLUTELY!!

^iwt

and 100% all that being said go if you wanna i genuinely hope you have the best time possible

it's like nicotine

i can love users of it even if i don't love what they do

2/18/01 is the best post Jerry show I have seen. What a 4 night run that was. 

Phil Lesh and Friends Live at Maritime Hall, San Francisco in February 2001.

That run of shows were over-the-top great up there with the very best of the Grateful Dead.

SO GLAD that I went to those.

The Q!

Band:
Rob Barraco (keyboard, vocals)
Warren Haynes (guitar, vocals)
Jimmy Herring (guitar)
Phil Lesh (bass, vocals)
John Molo (drums)

2/15/01    
Phil Lesh And Friends
Maritime Hall
San Francisco, CA
(total time: ~3:00)

Set 1: Jam> Acadian Driftwood (RB/WH)> FOTD> Uncle John's Band> Jam> Blue Sky> Sunshine of Your Love (WH)
Set 2: Soulshine (WH)> Unbroken Chain> Jam> Golden Road (WH-all), Shakedown (WH)> Foolish> Lovelight (WH)> Just A Little Light (WH)> Lovelight
E: Into The Mystic (WH)    

2/16/01    
Phil Lesh And Friends
Maritime Hall
San Francisco, CA
(total time: ~3:00)

Set 1: Passenger (RB/WH-all)> Jam> Tennessee Jed (RB), Cumberland (all), Smokestack (WH)> Jam> Smokestack (WH)> Casey Jones (RB-all)
Set 2: Jam> Low Spark (WH)> Jam> Watchtower (WH)> Sugaree(WH)> Help RB)> Slip> Jam> I Am The Walrus (RB)> Slipknot> Franklin's Tower (all)
E: Cosmic Charlie    

2/17/01    
Phil Lesh And Friends
Maritime Hall
San Francisco, CA
(total time: ~3:00)

Set 1: Jam> Here Comes Sunshine (RB)> Mirror of Thalassa> Here Comes Coda> St. Stephen> Jam> The Eleven> St. Stephen> Keep On Growin'
Set 2: Jam> Taste Like Wine (WH)> Jam> Brown Eyed Women (RB), She Said (WH)> Jam> Cryptical> Other 1 (v1)> The Wheel> Jam> Other 1 (v2)> Cryptical> I Know You Rider
E: Patchwork Quilt (WH)> Box of Rain    

2/18/01    
Phil Lesh And Friends
Maritime Hall
San Francisco, CA
(total time: ~3:00)

Set 1: Dancin' (RB)> Jam> Scarlet> Dancin'> Playin' Coda> Jam> Milestones> Dupree's (WH), Bertha (RB)
Set 2: Caution Jam> Dear Mr. Fantasy (WH)> Dark Star (v1)> Tomorrow Never Knows> Dark Star (v2)> Wharf Rat (WH)> Rag Jam> Viola Lee Blues> In the Midnight Hour (WH)> Jam> Viola Lee Blues
E: Strawberry Fields (RB)> GDTRFB> Comes A Time (WH)> And We Bid You Goodnight

That was where i met #admin for the first time 

Made my place in the venue in the basement for some reason 

One of the nights my purse got stolen but they didn't get my drugs

Looking at those shows it's like choosing your favorite child which was best 

2001 was maybe the happiest year of my life

Shakedown area has been 'announced'. Admission $12.50. $10 if you saw them with Jerry.

>>>>>One of the nights my purse got stolen but they didn't get my drugs

As Mr. Natural used to say: "Dope will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no dope." 

Wasn't it Freewheelin' Franklin who said that?

I believe it was Mike. One of the brothers anyway. 

It was indeed Freewheelin' Franklin.

Freewhellin' Franklin was from The Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers by Gilbert Shelton.

Mr. Natural (and a host of others) was by R. Crumb.

Both great underground comics in their day.  

Yeah, I couldn't remember who said it so I googled it.

When you go chasing rabbits you know you're gonna fall.

Mr. Natural said, "At home, or at work, get the right tool for the job."

.

^^^ best comic I've seen in awhile, thanks for the laugh