The Good Old Grateful Dead Blog

Barack Obama’s run for the presidency has launched many different grassroots campaigns. The most interesting may be the revival of the Grateful Dead.

I am told that on Oct. 13, possibly either in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh, the Dead will get back together for at least one show to raise money and awareness for and about Obama.

This is the first time all four living original members will play together — Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh and Bill Kreutzmann — since the death of leader Jerry Garcia in 1995 from a heart attack.

Substituting for Garcia will be Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule master musician Warren Haynes.

If all goes well, my sources say, the band will then set out on a major tour in summer 2009.

Click here for the full article.

To: Grateful Dead

Whereas today, August 27, 2008, is the 36th anniversary of the classic Grateful Dead concert performed at the Old Renaissance Faire Grounds in Veneta, Oregon (a show popularly known as "Springfield Creamery Benefit" or "Field Trip");

Whereas multi-camera visual and multi-track audio recordings of said show are known to exist;

Whereas fans have circulated unofficial versions of the audio recordings and the video (popularly known as a move titled "Sunshine Daydream");

Whereas the Grateful Dead's business organization is involved in the commercial release of audio and visual material from its archive;

We, the undersigned fans, popularly known as "Dead Heads", petition the members of the Grateful Dead, their estates, business organization and representatives to release the recordings in their entirety, in deluxe packaging, in a manner that reflects the esteem with which this show is held in the fan community.

Thanks.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

Click here for the petition.

Spread the word!

"This week we have a nice double dose of Pigpen from 1968, a massive 1972 jam, and a very cool 1991 sequence, all fitting into our date-appropriate this-week-in-Grateful Dead-recorded-history format..."

Click here for the music on Dead.net.

"Though he is the youngest member of the Grateful Dead’s classic lineup, Bob Weir has gradually aged into a stately role as unofficial voice of the Dead Universe. So it makes sense that since Jerry Garcia’s passing 13 years ago, Weir’s longtime band RatDog has evolved from a primarily blues-and-roots-based collaboration with Rob Wasserman to viable keepers of the Grateful Dead torch, gradually digging deeper into The Dead’s canon and, more importantly, developing a unique style of group improvisation. Weir has also continued to collaborate with many satellite members of the Grateful Dead cosmos, from old friends to Levon Helm to more recent companions like Warren Haynes, with whom RatDog has spent much of the summer on the road. Below, Weir waxes poetic on his summer tour with the Allman Brothers Band, current fascination with Wilco and why Obama is America’s “last, best chance.”"

Click here for the full article on jambands.com.

The latest missive from GDTSTOO:

"Bob Weir & Ratdog will play at the
Capital One Bank Theatre at Westbury in
Westbury, NY on Thursday and Friday,
October 30 & 31, 2008. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Showtime is at 7:30 PM. All ages are welcome.
Reserved seats are available at $50.50.
A small taping section will be provided.
The first mail in dates for this performance are
Thursday through Monday, August 14 through
August 18, 2008

The Crew of GDTS TOO
August 14, 2008

"Writ in fire across the heaven, plain as
black and white
Get prepared, there's gonna be a party tonight"

Bob Weir"

"...In this edition we've got a great range of music from this week in the Grateful Dead's recorded history, from 1971, 1972, 1979 and 1987..."

Click here for the music on Dead.net.

The latest missive from GDTSTOO:

"Phil Lesh & Friends and the Allman Brothers Band will play the
following shows:

Wednesday, October 1 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre,
Virginia Beach, VA. Doors open at 5:00 PM.
Showtime is at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome. Reserved
seats are available at $55.00. Lawn tickets are available
at $33.00. Special 4-Pack Lawn tickets are available at
$26.00. (You must buy 4 lawn tickets at once for this special).
Prices include parking. The Allman Brothers Band open.

Friday, October 3 at Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion
At Walnut Creek, Raleigh, NC. Doors open at 5:00 PM.
Showtime is at 6:00 PM. All ages are welcome. Reserved
seats are available at $65.00. Lawn tickets are available
at $33.00. Special 4-Pack Lawn tickets are available at
$26.00. (You must buy 4 lawn tickets at once for this special).
Prices include parking. Phil Lesh & Friends open.

Saturday, October 4 at Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre,
Charlotte, NC. Doors open at 5:00 PM. Showtime is at 6:00 PM.
All ages are welcome. Reserved seats are available at $65.00.
Lawn tickets are available at $33.00. Prices include parking.
The Allman Brothers Band open.

Wednesday, October 8 at The Amphitheatre @ The Wharf,
Orange Beach, AL. Doors open at 5:30 PM. Showtime is at
6:30 PM. All ages are welcome. Reserved seats are available
at $64.50 and $34.50. Phil Lesh & Friends open.

The mail in dates for all of the above shows are
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 through
Thursday, August 14, 2008.

The Crew of GDTS TOO
August 11, 2008

"It's all a dream we dreamed
one afternoon long ago."

Robert Hunter"

Well, yeah, it's always a sad day in a Dead Head's world, isn't it? Been thirteen years, hard to believe...

Rather than focus on that, let's just acknowledge the sadness and move on. What about the good parts?

The fun at the shows.
The friends made and experiences had.
The music itself...

And even though most of us had no personal, real-life connection to the band other than the music, how's about what we know about Jerry? The sharp, open mind. The complexities. The sense of humour. The love of music and disdain for sacred cows...

I think those attributes are summed up and reflected really well in this cover of Friend of the Devil by a band called Hot Ham & Cheese. It's true to the original but irreverent if only in its stylistic take. Jerry would have gotten a kick out of it don't you think?

Have a great weekend.

Hot Ham & Cheese - Friend of the Devil
from Revolution & Revelations

"This week we have a whole bunch of great music from the Grateful Dead's recorded history from 1971 to 1989, with a couple of stops in between..."

Click here for the music on Dead.net.