Brain Dead - My Thoughts
                  
Post Dead Experience

     A few years ago (I think it was the spring of '97) I went to a local club where JGB was performing.  The lineup had several of the same members as when Jerry recorded his live Jerry Garcia Band album.  It was a great experience.  There was the college crowd who frequented the club no matter who was playing.  There were the local regulars.  And then there were the Deadheads. 

     I got there plenty early and the parking lot was filling up with Deadheads. Cars were decorated with peace signs, Dead stickers and Jerry pictures.  It was surprising to me how many fans were not from my generation in addition to the old timers.  Almost all of the Deadheads were genuinely friendly people.  I had an extra ticket and gave it to a fellow who needed one and he really appreciated the favor.

     Inside the tables were filled with Grateful Dead memorabilia and Jerry shrines where the Dead fans were seated.  It was a trip back in time with women in long dresses, guys with long hair, tie dyed shirts, fringed jackets, and other things from the sixties. 

     The Dead crowd was laid back and polite when the opening acts were playing.  When Melvin Seals and JGB took the stage the Deadheads came to life.  The atmosphere was like mini Dead concert.  The college kids got caught up in the fever and everyone in the building was a Deadhead that night.




  

                              
What Made the Dead Legendary?
  
     One of the many things that were great about the Grateful Dead  was their love with their fans.  They permitted live taping at their shows and allowed fans to sell bootleg souveniers. 

     The Dead didn't win fans by being pretty boys or acrobats.  The Dead were relatively stationary on stage.  They didn't need glittery costumes or makeup.  Tee shirts and jeans were just fine.  The Dead didn't need gimmicks - just guitars, keyboards, and drums with regular guys doing vocals with their voices a bit hoarse from too much touring and too much smoke.

     In what category do you put Dead music?  I think it's rock, blues, folk, country,  bluegrass and more rolled into one.   The Dead did anything from Bob Dylan to Chuck Berry to Hank Williams to Willie Dixon.  Garcia and the other band members also wrote songs that fit right in with the styles of other great songwriters but had their own distinctive sound.

     To top it all off, in my opinion,  Robert Hunter is one of the best lyricists in all of the music world.  His gritty, down to earth lyrics make the songs appealing to the everyday people.  He didn't need excessive profanity or obscene sexual content.  Trains, cowboys, gambling, card games, money, drifting, women, love, and thoughts about life were sufficient.  Thanks Robert.

     The Grateful Dead were a cultural phenomenon that may never be equalled.  I have gotten as much pleasure from the Dead's music as I have from any band.  The songs are timeless.  The music of the Grateful Dead will never die.

                                                                  
R. Charles
    

    
                          

                          

To home

To previous page