@hapinoregon, you’re my kinda guy! Are you actually in Oregon? Portland perhaps?
@prof, I feel your pain. Musical taste is purely subjective and personal. I too find The Moody Blues insufferable (except for their debut Go Now album, when future Wings member Denny Laine was a member). The Allmans were okay (except for Duane, who was a great guitarist), but somewhat over-rated imo (their drummers are terrible!). But see, I have gone back and discovered the original sources of the music theirs is based upon, and I find most white versions of black music inferior, with some exceptions. No offense intended slaw! The Dead are too complicated to discuss in a forum, but I completely understand why you find their appeal bewildering. How do you feel about Phish? ;-)