I was never a fan of the Dead growing up but can't deny their popularity and impact on not just music, but the whole culture as well. I remember their "comeback" tour with "Touch of Gray" being played on MTv in heavy rotation. Quite a few interesting characters in the band, no doubt.
While I'm not all that big on philosophy, Heschel is right on the money in The Thought.
Thanks - and glad you liked the post! I wasn't a big fan of the Dead until a friend turned me on to them in the mid-80s and I suddenly (to my chagrin) realised they weren't a heavy metal/death metal band. The name didn't help as (no surprise) I wasn't au fait with Buddhism ... It's an interesting history - and they were certainly at the epicentre of all that was counter-culture in the mid/late 60s. Lot of larger than life characters in the band - and still going. Check out those two documentaries (especially the Netflix one) if you want to know more. And Heschel is definitely right on the money!
I saw the Dead perform with the highest level of musicianship and energy as well as with the apparent skill and focus of a third rate wedding band. I’ll always love the music, but I wondered if a guaranteed, self-captive audience fostered some complacency in their live performances.
The aesthetic and quasi-philosophical affectations of Deadheads also amused me as I took in the hand me down BMW’s, pricey newer VW vans, and designer hippy clothes in the parking lots and thought, “Damn…this is an expensive lifestyle”.
Yep. I think we (certainly I) missed the proper timing for experiencing the Dead. I think by the time you saw them (I'm guessing ... late 80s/early 90s?) the performances were being more or less phoned-in? It's a shame, because there was a seriousness to their music which you can hear on the Dick's Picks/Dave's Picks recordings ... Which is where I've really discovered them. I never actually saw them - I had a ticket to their March 1995 shows at Chapel Hill, but knew that attending wouldn't be, shall we say ... conducive to finishing my Masters Thesis. So, I thought I'd just catch them the next time they came around. Which, of course, didn't happen.
David Foster Wallace and the Grateful Dead in one week? It's like you've tapped into the obsessions of my adolescence and early 20s. Very much enjoying The Bus, Bryan. Hope all is well with you.
Hi! Things are going well with me - I hope they're going well with you, too! DFW and the Grateful Dead just happened to align with this week's posts - two of my favourites. Glad you're enjoying The Bus - it's certainly fun to write! Volume Two starts next week ... Monday is my 50th issue. Not sure where the time has gone ....
I was never a fan of the Dead growing up but can't deny their popularity and impact on not just music, but the whole culture as well. I remember their "comeback" tour with "Touch of Gray" being played on MTv in heavy rotation. Quite a few interesting characters in the band, no doubt.
While I'm not all that big on philosophy, Heschel is right on the money in The Thought.
Great post, as always!
Thanks - and glad you liked the post! I wasn't a big fan of the Dead until a friend turned me on to them in the mid-80s and I suddenly (to my chagrin) realised they weren't a heavy metal/death metal band. The name didn't help as (no surprise) I wasn't au fait with Buddhism ... It's an interesting history - and they were certainly at the epicentre of all that was counter-culture in the mid/late 60s. Lot of larger than life characters in the band - and still going. Check out those two documentaries (especially the Netflix one) if you want to know more. And Heschel is definitely right on the money!
I saw the Dead perform with the highest level of musicianship and energy as well as with the apparent skill and focus of a third rate wedding band. I’ll always love the music, but I wondered if a guaranteed, self-captive audience fostered some complacency in their live performances.
The aesthetic and quasi-philosophical affectations of Deadheads also amused me as I took in the hand me down BMW’s, pricey newer VW vans, and designer hippy clothes in the parking lots and thought, “Damn…this is an expensive lifestyle”.
Yep. I think we (certainly I) missed the proper timing for experiencing the Dead. I think by the time you saw them (I'm guessing ... late 80s/early 90s?) the performances were being more or less phoned-in? It's a shame, because there was a seriousness to their music which you can hear on the Dick's Picks/Dave's Picks recordings ... Which is where I've really discovered them. I never actually saw them - I had a ticket to their March 1995 shows at Chapel Hill, but knew that attending wouldn't be, shall we say ... conducive to finishing my Masters Thesis. So, I thought I'd just catch them the next time they came around. Which, of course, didn't happen.
David Foster Wallace and the Grateful Dead in one week? It's like you've tapped into the obsessions of my adolescence and early 20s. Very much enjoying The Bus, Bryan. Hope all is well with you.
Hi! Things are going well with me - I hope they're going well with you, too! DFW and the Grateful Dead just happened to align with this week's posts - two of my favourites. Glad you're enjoying The Bus - it's certainly fun to write! Volume Two starts next week ... Monday is my 50th issue. Not sure where the time has gone ....