Back in the early '90s I lived in Chelsea (NYC), not far from Madison Square Garden. I always knew when the Dead was in town because some barefoot Heads always drifted downtown. I have no idea how I missed your piece when it was first published, but I loved it. Still, if I by some chance become a Dead fan, I'll never forgive you.
I wandered in here by mistake I swear. I was alive in the 90's around the same age as you, Author Gilbreath, and for two years life revolved around STP, AiC, Jane's Addiction, Nirvana obviously... Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, the usual.
I didn't hate hippies, a friends artist dad had a cool 60's collection that we thrashed now and then.
But never, never Grateful Dead. And then around 2018 or 2019 an online friend...
well- I wrote it out. I'm not in to shameless self promotion so I won't link here but gravitated to this post because Crazy Fingers had such a trippy effect back in 2019. Then, just a few months ago a hippy boomer subscriber randomly linked me to Crazy Fingers again, which psyched me right out. He then went a bit mad shit-posting in comments once I'd posted 'Dream of the Hero's Journey and the Grateful Dead on Halloween' partly about that one specific GD song.
I had to reread this Mr.G. Such a good read. Lol. I was in a band in the late 80s early 90s that covered a whole lot of covers the Dead did. I knew their original stuff, but it wasn’t til the pandemic and my similar journey to yours that I discovered I’d played maybe 40 or 50 songs the Dead covered, as well as many of their originals. I sat down one night and started making a list. Sometimes, I’d have to hear a tune to recall it, then that “oh yeah, I’ve played drums to that”, and lots of those moments arose.
I’ll leave the philosophy to you. I’m past middle age, but a Dead fascination is never too late, I’ve found.
When your Deconstruction article was new. We had some email and comment discussions about your prior Janes Addiction boot article, which was very useful, and my Janes collection thanks you.
But all this with the Dead and me was going on then. Smokestack Lightnin’ baby.
You’re not alone, Aaron. I too, picked up a early Dead habit during the pandemic. Which is odd because I drummed for a blues band in the late 80s and early 90s for about 4 years who did A LOT of Dead. I always liked their tunes, just wasn’t the hugest fan.
The I discovered the Pigpen era. Also, I discovered the Jerry Garcia Band, which has many great arrangements.
I also love this piece. I am 40 (and continually welcoming new and unknown music into my life) and have been actively trying to get into the Grateful Dead for about a year - I’m writing fiction that involves Deadhead subculture, which I am endlessly interested in. I will keep trying!!
I love this piece, Aaron!
Back in the early '90s I lived in Chelsea (NYC), not far from Madison Square Garden. I always knew when the Dead was in town because some barefoot Heads always drifted downtown. I have no idea how I missed your piece when it was first published, but I loved it. Still, if I by some chance become a Dead fan, I'll never forgive you.
I wandered in here by mistake I swear. I was alive in the 90's around the same age as you, Author Gilbreath, and for two years life revolved around STP, AiC, Jane's Addiction, Nirvana obviously... Pearl Jam, Smashing Pumpkins, the usual.
I didn't hate hippies, a friends artist dad had a cool 60's collection that we thrashed now and then.
But never, never Grateful Dead. And then around 2018 or 2019 an online friend...
well- I wrote it out. I'm not in to shameless self promotion so I won't link here but gravitated to this post because Crazy Fingers had such a trippy effect back in 2019. Then, just a few months ago a hippy boomer subscriber randomly linked me to Crazy Fingers again, which psyched me right out. He then went a bit mad shit-posting in comments once I'd posted 'Dream of the Hero's Journey and the Grateful Dead on Halloween' partly about that one specific GD song.
Life is so weird.
I had to reread this Mr.G. Such a good read. Lol. I was in a band in the late 80s early 90s that covered a whole lot of covers the Dead did. I knew their original stuff, but it wasn’t til the pandemic and my similar journey to yours that I discovered I’d played maybe 40 or 50 songs the Dead covered, as well as many of their originals. I sat down one night and started making a list. Sometimes, I’d have to hear a tune to recall it, then that “oh yeah, I’ve played drums to that”, and lots of those moments arose.
I’ll leave the philosophy to you. I’m past middle age, but a Dead fascination is never too late, I’ve found.
Very cool and thanks for the link to that article about background music!
When your Deconstruction article was new. We had some email and comment discussions about your prior Janes Addiction boot article, which was very useful, and my Janes collection thanks you.
But all this with the Dead and me was going on then. Smokestack Lightnin’ baby.
You’re not alone, Aaron. I too, picked up a early Dead habit during the pandemic. Which is odd because I drummed for a blues band in the late 80s and early 90s for about 4 years who did A LOT of Dead. I always liked their tunes, just wasn’t the hugest fan.
The I discovered the Pigpen era. Also, I discovered the Jerry Garcia Band, which has many great arrangements.
Enjoy, brother. As I do reading your writing!
I also love this piece. I am 40 (and continually welcoming new and unknown music into my life) and have been actively trying to get into the Grateful Dead for about a year - I’m writing fiction that involves Deadhead subculture, which I am endlessly interested in. I will keep trying!!