happy america - the dead on tour in 09

Posted by: ft-o8 on 01 January 2009

Yes, the (formerly grateful) Dead have anounced today:
The Dead will be touring for the first time in more than four years, with nearly twenty shows spread across a month from mid-April through mid-May
Deadlink

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sadly however truely: There is no Date for Europe

The Dead never cames outside the U.S. in this life.

Posted on: 01 January 2009 by graham55

Can't be The Dead without Jerry Garcia, any more than The Doors without Jim Morrison.

No, these are just old men needing another wodge of dosh to keep them in the style to which they were formerly accustomed.

Posted on: 01 January 2009 by dsteady

quote:
Originally posted by graham55:
Can't be The Dead without Jerry Garcia, any more than The Doors without Jim Morrison.

No, these are just old men needing another wodge of dosh to keep them in the style to which they were formerly accustomed.

Erm. No. It can't be The Grateful Dead without Jerry. But your cynical assessment completely misses the spirit of what they have always stood for which is the live experience. The remaining Dead don't need the money, they just don't know what to do with themselves when their not playing to a live crowd.

I saw The Dead (w/o Jerry) at Red Rocks (all 5 shows, never further than the 12th row, two days we were 2nd and 3rd row) several years ago and they were excellent shows, and that comes from a fan who doesn't much care for Bob Weir. Phil Lesh is, de facto, the band leader now, and that usually means a lot of good jams from the pre-76' catalogue.

daniel

Posted on: 09 January 2009 by csl

I think I am caught somewhere in between Daniel and Graham. While the live show is what the dead are about, for me they represent a particular place in time. To go back, I would find myself searching for something that was no longer there, and it wouldn't just be Jerry.

Posted on: 09 January 2009 by fred simon

quote:
Originally posted by dsteady:

The remaining Dead don't need the money, they just don't know what to do with themselves when they're not playing to a live crowd.

I agree with Daniel ... whatever one thinks of The Dead, or The Grateful Dead, no one can say that these aren't musicians who love to play in front of audiences. Why should they stop? Who cares what they call the band? Jerry sure doesn't!

I had some incredible experiences digging The Grateful Dead live (with Jerry), including a seven hour outdoor concert during which they seemed to control the weather, and another gig during which I had a telepathic exchange with Jerry.

But I wouldn't be all that interested to hear The Dead now, although Warren Haynes is a fantastic musician.

All best,
Fred