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Originally Posted by longwalker
When I was young I was too impatient for the Dead. I'd trip to Hendrix and actually saw him twice at Cobo Hall in Detroit. But about a year before Jerry's death my brother and I were backpacking North Manitou Island off the west coast of Michigan, part of the Sleeping Bear Dunes. We had taken some mushrooms and we were spending the day on the beach listening to music I'd brought along. I had two little battery powered speakers and a tape player. Much of the music was Terry Riley and Steve Reich. We thrilled to the visions the music inspired. As the night progressed we finally went to bed very worn from a long day. Of course I set the speakers up in the tent! I then played "Infrared Roses" and my image of the Dead was forever altered!
In the dark I could imagine images on the roof of the tent, but what struck me for the first time was the friendliness of the music. I recalled a friend who had met some of the band members at a hotel in Maryland and he made a point of how nice they were to him. I related his experience to the one I was having and took the music in a completely different light than I had any time before! My newfound sympatico opened the floodgates and I began collecting more Dead music. Prior to this time I had purchased Live/Dead back in '71. Ironically I never listened to it stoned back then. I listened to it as more of a jazz album and appreciated it for that alone. Quite frankly I still haven't listened to it while high, but that doesn't seem to matter.
I'm sorry I didn't take advantage of their local performances when they were $3.50 for a show. I finally went to see them the summer before Jerry died. It was fascinating to see the parking lot turn into a bazaar and watch the crowd move in unison to the band. Jerry looked tired that night and looking back now it seems like it may have been an indicator of his demise. The bands spirit will live forever, the music is truly transendent and will hold up eternally. They bring me joy daily!
LONG LIVE THE DEAD!,
Longwalker
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LW thank you for sharing that story!! Wow i was picturing it as i read!