I saw my first Dead show since Jerry died. It was nothing like before.
Last time I saw the Dead was right before Jerry died in ’95. Jerry was toasted, the show wasn’t that good. And their fans, the Deadheads, were the worst. They were all there for the party, not the music. None of them could handle their booze and drugs, they were amateurs. And there were a lot of thugs.
I liked the Grateful Dead. But their fans were dorks.
I got back into jam bands with Phish. I love Phish, their shows are great.
When Dead & Company announced their tour I knew it was going to be great. John Mayer is a great guitar player. Oteil Burbridge is a great base player, he can sign. Jeff Chimenti is a great keyboard player, he’s been playing with Bob Weir for years. And both Mickey Hart and Bill Kreutzmann were playing drums. So I knew the band was going to be tight.
I was right. Mayer, Oteil and Jeff have brought youth and vigor. Bobby looks fresh. And the two drummers are having fun.
The fans, the Deadheads? They all seemed shocked that Mayer was so good. I just kept thinking to myself, “What? You don’t know who John Mayer is”? They may know more about the Dead then I do, but I know more about music.
When I went to Dead shows before, I never felt a part of it. Now, with Dead & Company, I’m a part of it. Not sure if I’m ready to call myself a Deadhead or not. But what I do know is that I love, Dead & Company.
It was a great night, can’t wait for more shows.
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