Vince Welnick R.I. P.

Nice post Jsonic.

The job of Dead keyboard is a dangerous one indeed. Almost like selling your life for a few good years.

My "era" for seeing shows began in the late 70's but most were 1981-1987. I've seen/herd the "post Jerry" gigs and the thing I miss most is Jerry's voice! I understand the "lost his voice" comments but I don't think his voice lost its soul. I really missed his overall musicianship post stroke. He kind of played like he was imitating himself if you know what I mean.

My best shows were in the early 80's when the Dead was out of fashion and you could get a great seat in a small hall. I saw so many shows in intimate settings I just couldn't bring myself to go to many after the large venue thing became the norm. My absolute best show was Vaneta, OR the summer of 82 with the Pranksters and Robert Cray opening and the '81 (or was it 80) show in Portland when Mt. St. Helens blew during Fire on the Mt. The middle night of a three night run of Jerry and John Kahn at the South Eugene Auditorium in 82 was pretty amazing too. Jerry stopped playing at one time and there was absoute silence for what seemed like several minutes...like the entire audience was in a trance. He quipped "pretty quiet out there" and the usual song requests and background noise started up.

I am grateful for the Dick's picks, archive.org and my rig for helping me remember the amazing times... I threw away all of my poor sounding concert tapes and only listen to the good stuff now.

Dicks Pick's, Steppin' Out '72, 100 Year Hall, The 4 cd fillmore 71 shows and some other live commercial releases are great, but there was always more pleasure for me in trading for some obscure gem that some taper unearthed than just buying them from GDM. The Dead pulling their soundboard shows off archive.org made me stop doing business with GDM. That was a greedy move and contrary to the vibe they laid down over the years. I'm sure the live CD's they sell for 25 bucks at the end of the pathetic "The Dead" shows ain't payin' the bills the way touring with Jerry did.

I agree. History rarely ceases to teach us that the holding back the strong forces of capitalism and self-interest are temporary. From Jerry's guitars to soundboards, hippies are as greedy as the rest of us.

What ever happened to Dick's Pick's....

Any 74 partisans out there? 45 minutes of Playin', Seattle 74? Louisville 74?

I think all of the band's phases have their charms. Toronto 77, Donna and all. And it's a hard--hearted person who can despise Donna on "You Ain't Woman Enough" from Madison 73.

Near the top must be the legendary 2/13/70 Darkstar, but I'd not like to forget the Stanley in 79, among a lot of others.

My first show was Cornell 80, missed the great 77 show. But Cornell 81 was very fine, as was Buffalo 81, with a great Playin'/Bertha to open set 2.

I guess I'd be inclined to agree that the band tailed off some as the 80s progressed, though I can remember a very fine Playin/China Doll/High Time (!) from Providence in 84 or so.

Wow, all a ways back! But I'm grateful to all the GD personnel, who brought me, and so many others, a lot of joy.

jmd