Happy Birthday, Jer (Aug 1)
These are the days between for a deadhead. Jerry Garcia was born on Aug. 1, 1942 and died on Aug. 9, 1995. All know him as the leader of the Grateful Dead and a 60s icon. He certainly was that but also so much more.From a music perspective Jerry played selflessly. He loved to play. For 30 years he led the Dead through music alone. There were over 2600 dead shows documented and add 1000s of Jerry's side project shows to go with. And his sound both on the strings and the vocals is uniquely Jerry. His music stands as its own and its shear volume is overwhelming. Thirty years of endless touring with a mantra to never use set lists, never play any night the same as any other night, to improvise, explore, and to play the songs rooted in Americana. Jerry was the focus, the center, the heart and soul of those thousands of hours we deadheads relish now only on tape. And the tribe is big and is a culture all unto itself. It was Jerry who said once the notes were played they (the fans) could have them when asked about audience taping. Despite what the industry said the dead built a legion of followers and a fortune on their music by first giving it away for free. (hear that RIAA?)
Jerry was more than just the lead guitar and vocalist for the Grateful Dead. He also produced and played on many other artists albums and always had side projects of his own. He played bluegrass, folk, jazz, soul, blues, funk, and good ol' rock and roll. Many don't know that he played the banjo on the highest selling bluegrass album of all time (Old and In the Way). To listen to Jerry was to discover music.
He was also an exceptional artist that many know by his ties. And who doesn't love Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia!
Jerry was the headlight on the North bound train, walked by the black muddy river, traveled so many roads, always had a a touch of the blues, a birdsong, and he was a friend of mine...
The long and strange trip officially ended on August 9, 1995, but the notes left behind will keep Jerry alive. Not fade away.
Check out some free music from the vault: http://dead.net/features/tapers-section
5 comments:
A great tribute my dear. As you know, I love his music apart from the Dead. Shady Grove, Grisman & Garcia, Pizza Tapes. An amazing, effortless guitarist. Anyone who can't see past the Stoner/Drug culture associations with the man and the band are just missing out on some of the best, most joyful music on the planet.
...and one of my favorite quotes:
Constantly choosing the lesser of two evils is still choosing evil.
Jerry Garcia
... and Franklins Tower. Sweeet...
and of course the next day proof read cringe. I fixed that. No matter how much i look at these things it always has a glaring error the next day!
I guess I love Jerry so much because I can always feel what he is saying/playing.
Even though it went mainstream, I'm still enamored with "Touch of Grey."
And, I made sure that, on our visit to Haight/Ashbury, Kid1 purchased a t-shirt that reads, "Haight/Ashbury: Land of the Free, Home of the Dead." Yes, we blew by his place, too. Even though I missed out on the 60's, I appreciate the Dead.
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