Posted on 08/08/2003 10:54:17 AM PDT by presidio9
Prepare for two nights of the living Dead. Surviving members of the original psychedelic jam band, The Grateful Dead, will play two shows at Jones Beach this weekend under their new name, The Dead.
Though the Grateful Dead's cultishly revered four-and-half-fingered lead guitarist and front man Jerry Garcia died on Aug. 9, 1995, don't expect long-winded tributes to him at tomorrow's anniversary show.
"They are not a band known for talking much to the audience," says Joan Osborne, the singer famous for her 1995 hit "One Of Us." She joins former Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh, Bob Weir, Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann on their "Summer Getaway" tour. Guitarist Jimmy Herring and keyboardists Rob Barraco and Jeff Chimenti complete the roster.
However, The Dead will treat fans to a special acoustic set — a first in New York City since their famed 1980 Radio City Music Hall show.
Larry Teitel, 43, a legal investigator who has seen members of the band play roughly 200 times — including the 1980 Radio City show — has tickets to both tomorrow and Sunday's concerts. For him, the band's not highlighting Garcia's passing isn't an issue: "I think the music alone will create the vibe [to honor him]," he says.
After Garcia's death, the group vowed never to call themselves "The Grateful Dead" again. Until this summer, Weir, Lesh and Hart have toured as The Other Ones, as well as in offshoot groups such as Phil Lesh & Friends.
Some Deadheads find the survivors' new name and decision to tour a betrayal.
"From what I can see, the current touring ensemble is profoundly unsentimental," says David Gans, who has written several books about The Grateful Dead and has been the host of the nationally syndicated Grateful Dead Hour radio program for more than 15 years.
"They made a really cynical marketing choice to take back half of the name. A lot of Deadheads are not interested in paying [a ton of money] to see a bunch of guys who've had nothing nice to say to each other in the eight years after Jerry's death get back together just to make money."
(After Garcia's death, surviving members notoriously squabbled over business-related issues.)
Marc Kahn, a fan in his mid-30s who's also going to the shows, has a different views.
"There are old Deadheads who say the Grateful Dead died with Jerry, but there's a younger generation who is happier with the new band because they have a different, upbeat sound," he says.
"It's pretty natural that [some] fans might not want things to change," says Osborne. "But I think these guys are just trying to work on new material for themselves and the audience. If they didn't, then it's just an exercise in nostalgia."
Yeah right! So did Lawrence Welk!
how's about calling themselves 'Whipping a Dead Horse'...
Or "Over 1/2 Our Songs are Covers" (but people still think we're "original").
Anyway, they were never the same after Brent died.
Keeping the flame alive is the only way to maintain the cash flow. Sorry Deadheads, but the San Francisco Hippie-thing became a prop.
I agree. His contribution to the sound gave it depth and color. I was saddened and shocked - more so then with Jerome John Garcia's death - when he died. The keyboard seat though has always taken it's toll over the years.
I've missed the rolling thunder of the Grateful Dead sound. Rat Dog and other Dead spinoff bands help anchor a "Gratful Dead style" of playng music, but I always deeply respected the Grateful Dead's collective opinion that much the music recording industry is a stinking pile of bovive blessings. And how that mindset gave their music power and confidence not often heard live on stage.
You can bet thst I will see them when they are near my city this year. <.pun> It's the best way to take life 'Kesey' in the hot daze of summer. <./pun>
While the music may be schamltzy and dork-infested to the extreme, not many people appreciate just how hot the players had to be to get a gig on that show. Absolute proficiency in site reading and playing on at least three instruments.
Lionel Hampton was actually turned away because he could do only two (thank god).
Uncle John's > Reuben & Cherise > Scarlet > Fire > D/S > Comes A Time > China Cat > Rider
I saw "Beatlemania" last week here in NY. It was great. Picture this: "Oh Darlin! > Come Together > Lovely Rita > etc...
Dead shows have an incredible connection between the players onstage, and the audience. When I have been there when they were really clicking and cooking, the experience was unlike any I have ever had anywhere. You can bet yer Cosmic Charlie on that one. (A song that I bet they still will never play again.)
No, not just you. The vast popularity of the Dead is the most unexplainable phenomenon I have ever encountered. The "flash in the pan" success of acts like Britney Spears, the Bay City Rollers or Milli Vanilli, I can understand. The longevity of the Dead's popularity baffles me.
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