In my opinion, groups like Widespread Panic and Phish are at best mediocre imitators of the Dead, they will never be able to duplicate the Grateful Dead. The Dead basically created an entire musical genre. They sold out every show for decades, but had never had a top selling album or any real on-air coverage (except for Truckin’ and Casey Jones to a small extent) until 1987. I don’t think anyone who never went to a show will ever be able to fully appreciate what the Grateful Dead experience is all about. Deadheads by and large were from upper-middle class families who discovered the Dead in high school or college; however, they continued to enjoy the music and the shows as they got older. And as I said before, except for their opposition to Vietnam and the rainforests, the Dead’s politics were basically straight libertarian.
So basically, you missed out! -:)
I agree with you on Widespread, but I think Phish are tighter and musically more "out there" than the Grateful Dead. I enjoy both, having seen Phish maybe eight times and the Grateful Dead 35 or so.