| Author | Message | ||
| rastaman
New Username: rastaman Post Number: 5 Registered: 12-2008 |
the gratefull dead have released new tour date info, starting in Greensborough,NC and end in MountainView, Ca. link: http://dead.net/dead09 | ||
| crobbins
Intermediate Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 195 Registered: 6-2004 |
They are even playing at The Fabulous Forum in Los Angeles. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2269 Registered: 9-2003 |
You beat me to it, LOL! Ck out the vid from rasta's link...nice playing, especially on "slipnot": http://www.dead.net/video09 What in the H**L is Phil playing? Looks like an extended scale, but the surplus scale length is at the bridge end...it has blue laser LED's on the FB w. the "eye of Horus" inlay and a weird "dungeons and dragons"-esque body: http://www.phillesh.net/philzonepages/friends_stuff/setlists/081115.html Looks like Phil is digging Eden these days...cabs and rack elecs. I hope to score both MSG-NYC and Meadowlands-NJ tix...wish me luck, LOL! Cheers, Kevin (Message edited by kmh364 on January 06, 2009) | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7306 Registered: 5-2002 |
Cool video! | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 508 Registered: 1-2005 |
"What in the H**L is Phil playing?" It's a Ritter | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3464 Registered: 7-2004 |
Kevin: I believe Phil is playing a Ritter. Some believe they are designed by Dr. Suess! Bill, tgo | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3466 Registered: 7-2004 |
Harry, you beat me to the punch. lol Hope you had a great New Year Bill, tgo | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2141 Registered: 4-2004 |
hate to rain on anyone's parade but imho, its just about the money. jerrys long gone and booby plays everything slow. maybe i am just at the age of been there, done that, but i will save my money and wait for a download to check them out. | ||
| staemius
Member Username: staemius Post Number: 84 Registered: 12-2004 |
I'll make the Greensboro show - no, it's not the same without Jerry but should be fun. Really, I'm looking forward to chilling in the parking lot and taking in some old memories of Greensboro while making some new ones. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3468 Registered: 7-2004 |
Well I'm planning on going. Yea, Jerry's dead, but I'm even more cynical - I obtained "been there, done that nirvana" back in the mid to late 80's when Bobby stopped playing guitar as his main purpose and instead started posing for the girls while doing his famous peacock cry imitation, ("hawww, hawww"), Phil decided to go sub-sonic with his bass so that only Wildebeests could actually make out individual notes while the rest of us just "felt" the bass, the band started doing more of Bobby's "random-chords-in-search-of-a-melody" songs, and let's not even mention slide guitar. Nevertheless I still love the boys and I'll drag my old ass out there as long as they will. And if it was "just about the money" wouldn't it be easier for them to ask the gov't for a $100,000,000,000 bail out than to produce music people will actually pay for? It's the American way!!! hehehehe Bill, tgo | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 615 Registered: 6-2002 |
A little off-topic...has anyone else had trouble registering at Deadnet ? ...maybe I'll have to try to make a phone call to get a confirmation sent to me so I can finish registering...no biggie, I do feel that I'm out in left field from the lack of response. If they make it up to the NW I'll see them.It's always nice to see all the folks who show up that normally aren't seen dancing in the streets. | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2271 Registered: 9-2003 |
Flax/Bill TGO: Been there, done that, as well. I turned cynical after the horrible, lethargic performances immediately after Jerry's return from diabetic coma (where he had to "re-learn" the guitar). I never went to a show again while Jerry was alive. As a result, I missed most of the last decade he was alive. I kick myself now, but I can't turn back time. I've had this argument with others (and myself, LOL!), but as long as they don't embarass themselves, I'll support them until they're gone. There's lots of "dinosaurs" out on the road touring, some for money (most, LOL!) and some for the fun of it. If I love/loved 'em, and they still wanna come out and play, I'll go! I can't stand most of today's music...I'm into my old "records", and Jazz these days. I'm surprised at you, Flax....you've been to a ton of Phil shows recently, but you won't go see the Dead? They may look like H**l these days, and they may be about the money, but they still sound pretty good to me! WTF, I need money, and I look (and sound) like H**l these days too, LOL! Cheers, Kevin | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 386 Registered: 10-2006 |
I stopped going after my 1st show with Vince, but went back for the '04 (IIRC - w/Joan Osborne)tour. It was fun. I really wish they had Jimmy Herring again instead of Warren Haynes, but I'll probably make the Rosemont show - it might not be what it was, but what else comes close? Peter PS - I'll agree with most of what Bill said, but somehow I've always kinda liked Bobby's slide playing. So call me weird (or maybe that's Weired) | ||
| ajdover
Senior Member Username: ajdover Post Number: 681 Registered: 11-2003 |
The Dead - I still don't get it. Same goes for Phish. I went to Burlington not too long ago with a friend of mine (we drove from Montpelier, VT) and he had a Phish CD on. I timed the songs ... they went on for 30-40 minutes. While this may float someone's boat, it didn't mine. As I see it, if you can't say it in a minute, or two, or three, or even 10, 30 isn't going to help you prove your case. This being said ... I hope all my fellow Alembicians enjoy the show. To each his/her own. Alan | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2142 Registered: 4-2004 |
kevin i aint being cynical- i am being honest-lol i havent been to a phil show since......... roseland with joan 2yrs ago? or is it 3? as much as i like phil as a bass player he cant sing for s--t....... i cringe when he does terrapin for example. of the 2- i do prefer phil from a musical point of view. ps- bimbo's was still the best phil show i ever saw bill- thanks again! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 387 Registered: 10-2006 |
Yes, Alan, there is a world of great 3-minute pop songs out there, & I love many of them. But what the Dead did needs time - you can put a nice guitar solo over a groove in radio-friendly format, but you can't do transcendental group improvisation between commercials (the true cause of the short song). That said, as I commented in an earlier Dead thread in re your mention of Dave Matthews, the Dead stand alone - & Phish ain't the Dead! 3 minutes of them is too much for me. I'm not suggesting that the Dead are for everyone, but I would argue that one shouldn't declare a dislike of apples after taking a bite of an onion. Peter PS - OK, not quite alone - Quicksilver, the original ABB line-up & Rare Earth, to name a few, can/could bend your mind in an extended jam as well. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2045 Registered: 6-2002 |
Never heard one of those old 78 RPM records? Their size limitation is the purely practical reason for the 3 minute format. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 505 Registered: 11-2005 |
Why I'm a DeadHead... I like to think of The Grateful Dead as an "American Band." They mix country, folk, rock'n'roll, jazz, blues, bluegrass and psychedelic, all distinctly American styles. Of course the do pull in some of the African/Carribean and European influences of these American genres, as well as the Indian polyrhythmic stuff, too. They're a melting pot, like the good ole USA. They're also like a baseball team (baseball being the quintessential American sport), and going or listening to a Dead show is like going or listing to a baseball game. Every game is different, even though they've all got the same basic framework (3 strikes, 3 outs, 9 innings, etc.) With the Grateful Dead, every show was different, and every time they played a song it was a little different, too. Just like the big sluggers don't hit a home run every time, or your team doesn't win every game, not every song or show was the best it could be. The reason we keep watching baseball and listening to the Dead, though, is for those special moments...the bits of excitement that make you get up and yell. A typical Dead show would have a lot more of those than a typical baseball game, I assure you. BUT... You can't just listen to them casually and expect to get it. Just like watching a baseball game without knowing anything about the rules would be mind-numbingly boring (just ask most foreigners), listening to a few Dead shows on tape won't give you enough of the picture to be able to appreciate what it is that they do. You've got to make a conscious decision to explore the Dead; or at least, I did. Back in college, a couple of nights a week some friends and I would get together, grill some burgers, drink some beers, and check out a new Dead tape, just like some guys would do the same thing while watching sports. We didn't have a tv, but we did have a decent stereo, so it was the best thing going. We'd talk about what we were hearing...who was hot that show or who was stinking it up, how this version compared to the other version, how they evolved over time, etc. Also, there was the tape-trading culture that existed in the pre-internet days... you'd actually have to meet new people who shared your interest, get together and go through each others' collections to see what they had that you didn't, and vice-versa. And then record them IN REAL TIME!!! (can you imagine?? no instant transfers!) Very social and community-oriented stuff. Not to mention mostly free...a buck ot two for a blank tape beat the heck out of 10 bucks for a commercial tape! And then, of course, there are the songs... So many of the more recent jam bands are great musicians, but the songs themselves are a bit lacking. Strip away everything else from many Dead tunes, and you've at least got amazing lyrics written by two (IMHO) great American poets, Robert Hunter and John Barlow. I probably wouldn't have the time to get into them today, but I sure am glad I did back then. All that listening and critiquing was a great musical education and actually opened me up to appreciating more types of music. Not trying to convert anyone...just explaining a bit why I'm a fan in a way that, hopefully, a non-fan can understand. And also why I will be making every effort to attend at least a couple of shows on the upcoming tour. It will be good music, even if it isn't "the same." | ||
| spose
Advanced Member Username: spose Post Number: 225 Registered: 5-2002 |
I'm a huge warren haynes fan. I'm glad he is the choice, cause imo he's the only choice. doesn't he even look great in garcia's spot! as a long time deadhead phish isn't anything close, and i don't appreciate them being in the same sentence as the dead. go ahead and bash away, i don't care phish leaves me dry | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2272 Registered: 9-2003 |
Phil never was a great singer, and time hasn't changed that one bit (well, maybe he's even worse now, LOL!). That's why he has someone that can sing do the voclas on most of his FLAF stuff. They can all still play and while it's not Jerry's Grateful Dead, it's still the bunch of guys without whom Jerry couldn't have done his magic. Warren can sing and I'm sure there will be some guest stars along the way that can, as well. Bad, old, grey, grizzled, out-of-tune Dead is still better than most of what's out there today, IMHO. I'll support them for as long as they wanna entertain me. One day (maybe soon) they'll all be gone for good. As Maj. D. (Ret.) put it, to each his own. Cheers, Kevin P.S., I saw the '03 and '04 tours. I liked Joan, Steve Winwood, Warren, Jimmy, et al. It was a treat to hear others sing Jerry's tunes and pay homage at the same time. Not quite the "Grateful Dead"...different, but still good. I was kinda hopin' that Barry Sless (FLAF, THe Other Ones, etc.) and Larry Campbell (Dylan, FLAF, etc.) might be along for the ride....Barry plays a lot like Jerry, both on guitar and Pedal Steel(!) and Larry can play anything with strings on it, LOL! | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 388 Registered: 10-2006 |
"Never heard one of those old 78 RPM records? Their size limitation is the purely practical reason for the 3 minute format." My first record player was given to me as a child by an elderly neighbor. It only played 78s, which she also gave me a bunch of - books of disks (thus "album") of symphonies - all of which were waaaay over 3 minutes. You had to change them alot, but the length of the piece wasn't limited by the format. Also, you can fit a little over three minutes on CD IINM, so why doesn't radio play long cuts now? Commercials, that's why. Peter | ||
| benson_murrensun
Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 80 Registered: 5-2007 |
I really can't grok why people are of the opinion that because Jerry's dead the band should hang it up. There were other members of the band that died along the way and I never heard anybody say that the Dead should quit at those times. Jerry may have been a "bigger" part of the band than the others that passed (maybe with the exception of Pig Pen), but he was just one guy in the band, after all. The Dead were bigger than Jerry Garcia. He's Gone, and now they are pressing on. Good for them. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 81 Registered: 5-2007 |
I always thought that David Nelson would be an obvious choice for the lead guitar slot in the Dead after Jerry's demise. But lately the New Riders are having great success in their latest reincarnation... | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 516 Registered: 9-2002 |
I agree with flax's comments on this one..I'll more than likely sit this one out also... I thought the last tour (2004 ??) they did was pretty lame, the recent Bobby shows Ive seen were pretty lame and pretty sloooooow, and even the last batch of phil shows Ive seen with the latest lineup left alot to be desired, and thats coming from someone who is a big phil fan. Maybe if the had Barry Sless on lead Id be of a different mind.... | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 509 Registered: 1-2005 |
I was hoping that Scott Murawski might be the guitarist for this run - he was the guitarist in a northeast band called Max Creek for like thirty years, plus recently he's been playing with Mike Gordon and also "the Trio" which is Scott, Oteil Burbridge, and Bill Kreutzmann. I'm thinking I might try and go to the local show if my schedule allows. | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2046 Registered: 6-2002 |
Peter, my mind must have skipped a groove between 78s and 45s. But most people lose interest after 3 minutes. That's why not everyone will listen to classical music in general, or to 'difficult' pop. As to commercials - when I grew up (in the Netherlands) I listened to public radio a lot. There used to be a news bulletin on the hour, then three minutes of commercials, followed by lots of music. Then three minutes before the next news bulletin there would be another short series of commercials. Unless you tune into one of the commercial stations, that's still the format. It doesn't keep most people from preferring the commercial stations ... | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2143 Registered: 4-2004 |
benson when we saw phil at bimbo's , david nelson was special guest. he fit in real nice a highly recommended download! ive played dead tunes and those 3 minute tunes some are speaking on. there is room enough for all of them on my plate. sometimes a 3 minute tune is all thats needed. but i must confess i like trying to stretch em thats what gets me in trouble sometimes | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2144 Registered: 4-2004 |
while i am on the subject and an admitted thread hijack... i am back practicing and playing with a new group of fellas. Very talented bunch and we are hoping to gig next month. stones, stevie ray, black crowes,clapton, little feat and dead,beatles and ccr so far | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3473 Registered: 7-2004 |
There is still nothing like a Dead concert. 'nuff said. Bill, tgo | ||
| jacko
Senior Member Username: jacko Post Number: 2050 Registered: 10-2002 |
I'm also going to sit this one out.............. But only because they're not coming to the UK ;-( I'd give my right arm (and maybe part of a leg) to see even half of the original GD lineup. Graeme | ||
| jet_powers
Senior Member Username: jet_powers Post Number: 412 Registered: 2-2003 |
I've never given a dime of mine to either the Dead or Phish. OK, I lied. I bought an early Phish CD. However, there is no denying the genius and talent that runs amok in both outfits. I appreciate GD for the fact that they were in the forefront of opening the door for rock improvisation, something of which I am very fond of particpating in. What I don't understand is the cult like devotion they inspire in their followers. I remember during the '80's working with guys who would save up all their vacation time to follow the Dead on a leg of their tour going to as many shows as they could. Perhaps it was envy. What musician wouldn't want their fans that enthusiatic? From my own obscure observation point, I don't believe that Phish were looking to take up the mantle from the Dead but that it was thrust upon them. Again who wouldn't want that? I am a great fan of The Who. Bassist of the millenium and a master of the art in Pete Townshend and all that. I didn't save up my vacation time just to follow them around the Northeast but I went to the show when they came around. After JAE snuffed it, the shows just weren't the same and I have not gone to the last few Who shows since, even though PT is one of my rock gods. And I can only imagine that the Dead is just not the same without JG. I have no doubt that the current incarnation will be entertaining and nobody will be demanding their money back. But just like seeing Pino in John's place (and Pino is a fine, fine player) it just didn't do it for me. Pino could not replace John and I am fairly certain Warren cannot replace Jerry.... It's a good thing we all don't like the same things as there would be a very long line at the door! Vive l'difference! -JP | ||
| adriaan
Senior Member Username: adriaan Post Number: 2047 Registered: 6-2002 |
CNN interview with Phil Lesh today: Phil Lesh is on the phone. "I wish I could say I once quit my job to follow the Grateful Dead in my VW bus," I tell him. "But honestly, I'm just not that cool." The bass player chuckles. "It's mostly trust-fund kids," he confides. "They're the only ones who are able to do that." (Message edited by adriaan on January 06, 2009) | ||
| mike1762
Advanced Member Username: mike1762 Post Number: 211 Registered: 1-2008 |
I'm not a fan of the jam-band genre. I've never been able to get past the 5 min intros and the endless noodling bores me to tears. However, that's really not a deragotory comment against those bands. I think it's more of a reflection of me as a marginal musician and the era in which I "cut my musical teeth". I've prefer my music in bite-sized chunks and I'm probably a poorer man for it!!! But that's OK... even though we may have different musical tastes, we all LOVE those Alembics. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 1143 Registered: 12-2004 |
Charles wrote:
I know the rules, and baseball is still mind numbingly boring. I'm a social baseballer-- I only go to games if the person I'm going with can hold up their end of the conversation for the interminable 15 hours it takes for the "pitching duel" to end. E.g.: if Valentino invited, I'm going. I don't really care for the dead, either (maybe some of their more "pop" songs), but they just don't seem to "groove" to me. Same sign for Dave Matthews: I can respect the musicianship, but, as a friend put it, "I spend the whole time 'waiting for them to rock out.'" It's like they are always stuck leading up to the actual jam. Oh well, whatever. No offense intended; I won't get offended if you don't like my stuff. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 511 Registered: 11-2005 |
No offense taken! We're all different people with different life experiences and tastes in plenty of other things besides music, too. Bradley, your "waiting for them to rock out" comment reminded me of a clip I saw last year. I'm not a huge DMB fan but... Check it out in the new thread I started. And, not to argue with Phil, but I knew plenty of poor kids on tour, too. All it takes is initiative. I usually paid for mine with dresses I made (don't laugh...they sold) or selling imports for 3 bucks a pop, especially on Sundays in the South! :-) | ||
| 3rd_ray
Intermediate Member Username: 3rd_ray Post Number: 170 Registered: 2-2008 |
Well I hope this doesn't turn into a "I'm not a Dead-Head" thread, but I never got into the Dead either. For whatever reason, growing up in central NY I was never exposed to them. What little I did hear didn't do much for me. Over the years as I heard more, I could tell they were great musicians, and I like Phil's style. I live 15-minutes away from where their first show will be. I probably won't go, but I'm tempted. It would be nice if Greensboro starts attracting more good shows. There hasn't been very much in the few years I've lived here. Mike | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 384 Registered: 5-2002 |
Alright, let's calm down with the Barry Sless thing. He's busy enough as it is and a tour with the Dead means that we'll never get any more time with him in Great American Taxi! In all seriousness, he's a great player and a great guy. Lots of fun to play with. We just recorded an album due out in March and he's all over it. Edwin | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2273 Registered: 9-2003 |
Edwin: By all means, let us know how we can get a copy! Barry is an awesome talent! I'm assuming that your bandmates and yourself are no slouches either! All: Wow! What a galvanizing thread! I'm assuming Rasta just wanted to let those that care (as I did) that the Dead was again on tour. I had no idea there'd be all the "I don't care for the Dead" responses. I've learned to be very broad musically. As a young'n, I only wanted to listen to the Bay Area bands (and others) related/revolving around the Dead. Now, there isn't enough space to tell you the kinds of music and the performers of same that I like. It'd only take a small percentage of that to tell you those that I do not appreciate. I've been studying Jazz guitar for nearly 6yrs. now, and I listen to a lot of Jazz (guitar and non-guitar), but I still gravitate back to the stuff I've always cared for, like the Dead. It's all good....enjoy what turns you on personally. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| alemberic
Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 79 Registered: 6-2006 |
I have been on both sides of the fence concerning the Grateful Dead. For many years, I was among those who just didn't get the whole GD thing,and I was a teenager in the 60's, so I had the opportunity to follow them from their very start. About three years ago I decided to take a second look and maybe understand what all the fuss was about, similar to the process Charles described in his post #505 above, but without access to the "taper" culture. I came to appreciate, respect, and simply enjoy the GD and their music. Above all, it became clear that the GD were a live performance band--this was where GD "happened"--not in a recording studio. As Charles so accurately said, you can't just casually listen to some GD music and expect to understand what they were all about. True, GD were all about the music, but their music inspired people to a whole different way of looking at and relating to the world and those in it. The question, since Jerry Garcia passed, has been and still is: is there "life" after Jerry for The Dead, as they now call themselves. My opinion--and I mean no disrespect whatsoever to the remaining band members--is no. There are lots of famous bands which suffered the loss of founding and/or very significant members and continued to make great music, enjoy success, and retain broad fan support (although it is still never quite the same). However, some bands, in my opinion, just don't fall into this category. For example, can you truly imagine the Rolling Stones without Keith Richards, or the Beatles--if all were still alive and playing--without McCartney? Similarly,at least for me, The Dead just doesn't work without Jerry. Jerry was that intangible but essential element, that "must have" factor, that undefinable "it" that was the heart and soul of everything Grateful Dead. And, if you carefully analyze the interpersonal dynamics of the Grateful Dead, the fact is that each member of GD was linked much more to Jerry than to each other. That's not to say that they weren't all brothers, just that Jerry was the element common to each of them. Kinda sorta like a married couple of 20 or 30 years who discover, after the kids are grown and gone, that they really don't relate to each other too well--it was the kids who tied them together. So, while each remaining GD member is a great musician in his own right (well, OK, there is the question of Bobby Weir--Bill tgo: LOL about your "random-chords-searching-for-a-melody"), collectively as The Dead they just don't seem to bring it. I wish them well, but I'll pass on the upcoming tour. Thanks for letting me rant! Eric | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Advanced Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 389 Registered: 10-2006 |
Eric: While I love - & second - Bill's description of Bobby's later writing, I will argue to my dying breath that he's an incredible player. And as a great (if less personal) stand-in for the taper culture, try www.deadlists.com. The overwhelming majority of their show available for streaming, & many for download. Kevin: Of course there will be all the "I don't care for the Dead" posts. It happens almost every time someone mentions the boys - this despite the fact that we 'heads don't make a habit of talking trash in threads about Stanley, or Mark King, or Markus Miller, or even Zepplin or Metallica. For some reason The Greatest Rock'N'Roll Band In The History Of The Universe seems to be the only one that's fair game for those whose tastes lie elsewhere. Those who aren't Deadheads: Thanks for not showing up  - the shows were a lot better before they started selling out arenas, and the audience changed from a mellow hippie gathering to a drunk, violent, rock crowd (more like you'd expect at......naw, I ain't gonna do it) Peter | ||
| alemberic
Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 80 Registered: 6-2006 |
Peter--thanks for the link. I'll check it out! Eric | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 519 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, Id say you either get what the dead were doing and were all about or you don't. I love all the dynamic interplay that occurrs during the dead's jams, and I love hearing the various licks that they come up with as they play off each other. As for the dead w/out Jerry...totally different band, but still able (at times) to make some fine, interesting music. I first became aware of the dead in the early 80's, up till than I was too young to go to shows. At that time the audience wasnt full drunks, and you could still campout at the spectrum parking lot....fine times... | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2147 Registered: 4-2004 |
ok folks heres the good news tickets $98 per for good seats $68 per for not so good seats tell me it isn't about the money........ i mean i shelled out 150 each for clapton and winwood- BUT... that was a different story imho i bet they sell out- to hell with the economy honey, the dead are in town..... lmao- take 2 sdbds and call me in the morning | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 520 Registered: 9-2002 |
I just checked the prices myself....I was expecting maybe 50-60 bucks at the most... at the spectrum in philly we dont even have a choice, all seats are $98.00... holy crap! | ||
| spose
Advanced Member Username: spose Post Number: 229 Registered: 5-2002 |
GD ticket prices - Garcia's gone, so are the low ticket prices. I understand Jerry kept ticket prices as low as possible. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3477 Registered: 7-2004 |
1974. Cow Palace. Official unveiling of the infamous "wall of sound". All night with the Dead. Free 4-song mini LP (that's a vinyl phonograph record for you young 'uns) on the way out. $4 Times have indeed changed. $98? Gotta think twice about that. Bill, tgo P.S. I never meant to disparage Bobby's guitar abilities. At his best he could be an exceptional, highly original rhythm player. His playing actually exceeded the rhythm chair - expanding to "lead with chords", and straight lead. He essentially played quarterback in the jams, somehow finding the space-glue that helped connect Jerry and Phil. He's certainly the biggest influence on my playing. That's why I found it so frustrating when, in the later years, he seemed to become far more interested in being "the cute one" than in playing. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 521 Registered: 9-2002 |
Well, Im pretty much out of this one...be nice to see what may be the last get together of the surviving dead members AND what may be the last shows at the Spectrum in philly where I saw my first dead shows starting back in the early 80's. But $98.00 per show is just insane. | ||
| pas
Intermediate Member Username: pas Post Number: 144 Registered: 3-2003 |
(Message edited by pas on January 13, 2009) | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 513 Registered: 1-2005 |
I woke up this morning, I've already decided to pass on this run. Part of me would love to see them play together, but I think I'll wait for The Trio (Bill Kreutzmann, Oteil Burbridge, Scott Murawski) to come around... | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2148 Registered: 4-2004 |
my first show 9.28.72 tickets in the orchestra were $6.00 the stanley theatre was a small venue. ok i did some math- before i do this- order me one defibrilator assuming the spectrum holds 17,000 for a show that comes out to 1.70 million per gig lets deduct say 500k for the venue etc thats 1.20 million which is 200k per band member do ya think the originals are getting more than warren and chimenti? | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 524 Registered: 9-2002 |
"do ya think the originals are getting more than warren and chimenti? " Id guess that Warren and jeff are probably getting what, maybe 20k-30k per show?? seems doubtful the originals would splite the pie evenly. | ||
| svlilioukalani
Junior Username: svlilioukalani Post Number: 43 Registered: 6-2008 |
One can never begin to understand the attraction of the Dead unless they spent time in the parking lot at one of their shows.(Shanty Town) The Dead was so much more than just a great band. People who don't understand the attraction to the band, most likely don't understand the quality of the sub-culture that grew around the band. They search for some flashy thing in their music to help understand the phenomena. Yet they don't find it, and are unable to comprehend the big picture. This band was the opposite of flash. No pop music here. The depth and power of the lyrics elude casual rock music listener. Go back and play American Beauty. We traveled around the world to see them, because we knew we would see good friends at every show. The music gained power in our minds when the songs become associated with extra-ordinary memories. It helps that these memories were colored by acid, pot, and girls who don't wear underwear. But, as all Dead Heads would say, the shows were some of the greatest moments of our life's. I saw the first in the mid 70's. They actually played the same songs 2 nights in a row, but did them country one night and rock the next. Can you name one other large touring band with the guts, and skill, to pull this off today. It wasn't about the money to them. I was all about community, love, and a real good time I play an Alembic bass because this company was founded upon the same ethic the Dead put into their music. It's about quality, and love for your craft. Something rarely seen in all aspects the music business today. | ||
| spose
Advanced Member Username: spose Post Number: 231 Registered: 5-2002 |
"assuming the spectrum holds 17,000 for a show that comes out to 1.70 million per gig lets deduct say 500k for the venue etc thats 1.20 million which is 200k per band member do ya think the originals are getting more than warren and chimenti?" Come on, this is not how concert production works. This is not a bar band splitting the profits after expenses. The venue is only one cost factor and really has nothing to do with who gets paid what. I understand Haynes and Woody got scale in the ABB period. I would bet each player has negotiated their own deal which has nothing to do with net production profits. | ||
| crgaston
Senior Member Username: crgaston Post Number: 514 Registered: 11-2005 |
Priced pro sports tickets lately? This ain't the '70's anymore, people. Anyway, for the first time in 12 years, I can say... I HAVE DEAD TICKETS!!!! My drummer and I are going to Greensboro and DC. Gotta book hotels next. That won't be cheap either. Back in the day, for weekday shows, we'd find little independent churches out in the country and sleep behind them. Nobody ever bothered us, and it sure was cheap! (Message edited by crgaston on January 14, 2009) | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2274 Registered: 9-2003 |
Yeah, me too. I got mine for NJ yesterday. It's true guys...the '70's are a few years behind us, LOL! Yes, the tix ain't cheap. If you want floor and/or lower tier seating, they have the "VIP" tix...$350 and $475, respectively. Add accomodations and it's $939 to $2599per, depending on level of luxury!!! While I'm not excusing corporate greed, did anybody price VH or Eagles tix last year? The Dead's cheap by comparo. I took my Moms to see the Eagles @ the Borgata Hotel/Casino in AC, NJ and it was $170per before fees AND we sat in the BACK! That's regular price...no scalpers or tix agencies were involved, LOL! While I don't like it, I got over ticket sticker shock a while back. They're all not gonna live forever, so see 'em while you can. I rather support my musical heroes than any of the "modern" acts or sporting events (talk about NOT cheap!). Yes, I can stay home with my albums, tapes, cd's, DVD's, Blu-rays, etc., but every once in a while, I like to (and the GF demands, LOL!) to go out (of the house), LOL! To each his own..., Cheers, Kevin | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 7336 Registered: 5-2002 |
I just thought I would throw this out there, although I really don't know, and can't remember what I did know. But as I recall, the Grateful Dead at one time had a huge number of people on the payroll. And the constant touring was necessary to keep everyone employed. And if I recall correctly, they had benefits, including medical and retirement. My guess is that they still have a lot of people on the payroll and that they have retirees. With the skyrocketing cost of health insurance, and they may be paying premiums for retirees as well as current employees, an occasional tour may be necessary. And if their retirement plan was designed as a defined benefit plan, it could very well be that the stock market crash has made it much more difficult to pay the benefits. My guess is that they have determined that the market will bear the $98 ticket price, and that the net proceeds from the tour at that price will make it possible to continue to make payroll and pay benefits for both current employees and retirees. But again, I'm just guessing, based on my recollection of information I have read in the past about the Dead's organization. Oh, and I'm also guessing that they think playing together again will be an enjoyable thing to do. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 674 Registered: 11-2004 |
Okay I have read this thread a couple of times and I have never got the 'Dead' at all, I requested which songs to listen to on this forum but it doesn't do it for me at all. Maybe it is an American thing as I was a teener during the prog rock 70's in the UK but all that said it is obvious that they have a loyal following even though Jerry has gone to the great gig in the sky. And I commend everyone for that and as kmh says most of today's music is naff but then again we are oldies compared to this generation(just as our parents were oldies to us) Hope you all enjoy the shows and even though they are not coming to the UK this is one person who will not attend. | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2149 Registered: 4-2004 |
whats the first thing a dead head says when they run out of drugs? THIS BAND SUCKS~ sorry i had to do that..... lol ps- the deads entourage aint what it used to be. so using that as an explanation of the high cost of tickets doesnt cut it for me. the deal is this- the dead spouted their love of obama-yet in spite of the recession their charging a lot of money for tickets imho. heres the deal- as long as people pay these prices only a fool wouldnt charge that much same goes for sporting events- i will probably go to the new baseball parks here in NY just to say i went once. But to think that people pay thousands to sit field level at yankee stadium is ludicrous. | ||
| phylo
Member Username: phylo Post Number: 93 Registered: 10-2005 |
Here is what I think I know. The Dead organization run by Cameron Sears was forced to fire everyone. He had to fire his own mother in-law. Then the whole shebang was sold to Rhino. There really isn't a GDP anymore, its all corporate. And getting the business end out of their hands has allowed the boys to be civil enough to each other to net $2mil a piece over 8 weeks! How do you know you have had a Deadhead visit you? 6 months later they are still on your couch. | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 526 Registered: 9-2002 |
"whats the first thing a dead head says when they run out of drugs? THIS BAND SUCKS~ " Sometimes even on drugs they suck...at least thats what my friends telL me!! | ||
| flaxattack
Senior Member Username: flaxattack Post Number: 2151 Registered: 4-2004 |
if jerry comes back i will pay the 100 until then i have to put food on the table and food in me head that comes first and i forget the order sometimes remember drugs will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no drugs albert einstein said this right after he discovered the theory of relativity | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3478 Registered: 7-2004 |
Actually, it was Fat Freddy of the Fabulous Furry Freak Brothers (R. Crumb). Bill, tgo | ||
| elwoodblue
Senior Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 616 Registered: 6-2002 |
Flax, I thought that was a Fabulous Furry Freak bros. quote .  | ||
| benson_murrensun
Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 87 Registered: 5-2007 |
Good quotation from Fat Freddy Freakowtski, Bill! And what ever became of Fat Freddie Scat? But back to the thread... I am surprised by the number of disparaging comments about the Dead and their fans, especially on this website. But, be that as it may, Bill Graham said something like, "They're not the best at what they do, they're the only ones who do what they do." Which means they are beyond compare. Personally, I love what they do... It's some of the best improvisational music around, combined with amazingly soulful and intelligent lyrics courtesy of Hunter, Barlow and others. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 3480 Registered: 7-2004 |
Oh yea? Well they ain't as good as Kiss. After all, is not wearing makeup, rubber tongues, and stuffing cucumbers down your pants the true measure of musical genius? lol By the way, Ben, that quote was written on the side of Winterland after it closed until they tore it down. Bill, tgo | ||
| glocke
Senior Member Username: glocke Post Number: 528 Registered: 9-2002 |
In regards to the disparaging comments about the dead, and the surprise expressed at that in another post, it all comes down to taste I suppose. I love early 70's dead. The jazzy jams, the interplay between the musicians, and most of all the sounds of the instruments themselves, brought to you by none other than Alembic....To me, the sound of Phils bass during this time is what drew me to bass as an instrument, and than later on to Alembic. Outside of the 70's era there is very little Dead I listen to. All of my shows were 80s shows due to my age, but I dont listen to much 80s dead, and I dont listen to any 90s dead. Much of that is just to painful to listen to. Now, if you were to ask me about some other famous Alembic players, such as Stanley Clarke and Mark King, Id have to admit that while I respect them as players, their style isnt my cup of tea. I dont own any albums by either of them, and I dont even particuarly like alot of what I hear when I hear them play.... | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2275 Registered: 9-2003 |
I'm with you, Dave. I can't imagine it's cheap these days to drag an entourage around like the Dead. Granted they are long past the "Wall of Sound" days and the huge crew required for same. While I'm also sure that the vast army the Dead supported has dwindled, they and theirs still gotta eat. Yes, I am well aware of the Dead's surviving members qualms over intellectual property (i.e., money) which infamously resulted in the fans being snubbed for the band's 40th anniversary as well as the "free" soundboards being renegged upon. Personally, I don't begrudge the Dead anything. After all that they've given us over the years, they're entitled to a "Pension" IMHO. So what you're paying a corporation their cut too? Jerry's kids and the surviving members (and families) are supported by the touring, the Rhino records schlock and the merchandising, et al. So what? Somebody's gonna get my dosh, it might as well be the Dead, LOL! Just like most of us here help support the Alembic family. Cheers, Kevin | ||
| kmh364
Senior Member Username: kmh364 Post Number: 2276 Registered: 9-2003 |
PS, ck the vid link I posted at the beginning of this thread...they added another vid that briefly sums up the Dead Head experience, as told by the Band. Enjoy! | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 392 Registered: 5-2002 |
"One can never begin to understand the attraction of the Dead unless they spent time in the parking lot at one of their shows.(Shanty Town) The Dead was so much more than just a great band. People who don't understand the attraction to the band, most likely don't understand the quality of the sub-culture that grew around the band. They search for some flashy thing in their music to help understand the phenomena. Yet they don't find it, and are unable to comprehend the big picture. " I disagree with this entirely. I got it just by discovering Europe '72 that was left at my house by my little sister's babysitter when I was 12 in 1973. For most of the 70s, the shows I went to had no scene outside. In fact, in 1978, my folks were concerned that I would get a ride home from Springfield MA to Boston from an inebriated friend, so they decided to come pick me up. The previous shows I'd been to ended around 1:30AM, so I told them to come get me at 2. Well, I guess that's the year the big union overtime fees kicked in, because they ended at midnight and by 12:20 AM, the area around the venue was deserted and I waited by myself in a less than comforting part of Springfield until they showed up. By the time they got me, all my friends were already home. Anyway, it's not about the scene, it's about the music. It's true that the music was beyond just the people on stage, but I don't think that they necessarily needed or wanted the unwieldy Shakedown St that followed them around and got them banned from venue after venue. It might have been fun for some, but I could have done without it. Edwin |
