30 Years Gone
Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead died on this day in 1995.
How can the mid-90s have been 30 years ago???
The New American Digest
For Followers of Gerard Van der Leun's Fine Work
Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead died on this day in 1995.
How can the mid-90s have been 30 years ago???
I read a plausible analysis that Garcia’s visit to the detox center is what killed him. It was sudden lack of heroin that caused the body to convulse, go into shock and… there’s always appropriate lyrics to that tune… “Fare you well, my honey. Fare you well, my only true one. All the birds that were singing have flown except you alone.”
Small world. I just returned from the local outdoor flea market and this guy was selling a framed Grateful Dead poster of a tour in Germany from many years ago. He was from California and told me he’d attended easily 50 of their shows. I saw them maybe 5 or 6 times all together. They sure delivered a lot of bang for your buck. Almost every show I left while stepping over sleeping people and still the Dead was grinding on. The poster dude told me Jerry shot up on the way to the clinic before check-in. Nobody diagnosed his toxicity nor were they prepared for how to ease him into sobriety.
Always looked like he needed a bath. Probably smelled just as bad.
Never was a fan. Seemed like they had too many people on the payroll. 2 drummers? Come on man! And several extra guitar players standing around looking bored to death.
If a drummer is decent to real good, there’s no “room” for a 2nd one. srsly
Yes… lots of employees. It was a corporate society, a traveling village. And that wall of sound stacked 18 feet high made Phil Spector’s seem tiny. The concert was more preferable than listening to them on vinyl. The audience was unlike anything anywhere. These people insisted they were as important as the band. It was truly a cult. The tie-dyed spinning dancing weird flowing arms shimmy, these girls noodling out hypnotized, it was almost embarrassing to observe. I knew it was going to be strange and I sat like a scientist watching.
The Evolution of Concerts
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In the 70’s and 80’s I went to probably 100 concerts or more. In all of them the sound quality was pathetic compared to the studio produced albums, but the “atmosphere” of the live event made up for the diff.
Through out the 90’s my concert hobby all but stopped, maybe 3 or 4 the whole decade. Then in 2004 I went to a concert by my favorite band and the “atmosphere” had vanished and all that was left was the shitty music quality. WTF over?
It was an outdoor venue at an arena and there were zillions of people there. I knew I was a fish out of water when we went through the gates and had to be frisked. I noticed that most people had binoculars around their necks. Again, WTF? I soon found out.
The tickets were all general admission (no reserved seats) and there were thousands of people between us and the stage. With the naked eye the musicians appeared about 1/4″ tall. That was when we could get a glimpse between all the assholes jumping around and acting like insane idiots. My 5’2″ tall wife never seen the band at all. We left after about half and hour in spite of the fact we paid over $200 for the tickets and $20 to park.
And there was a massive traffic jam that took 2 hours to unravel when we left. I swore right then and there, “Never Again”.
1978: 38 Special, J Geils Band, Black Foot, all in one concert, maybe 1k spectators, ticket price $6.50 and a T-Shirt for $8.
A T-Shirt at the 2004 concert was $45 and I didn’t buy one.
So, not only do concerts today have shitty sound quality but they have an offensive atmosphere too. I’ll probably never attend another concert by a popular band.
Really thinking hard now what last concert I ever saw. Like you I saw a hundred in the 70’s & 80’s. Sat 4 rows away from Leo Kottke about 6 years ago. No dancing… just people sitting with jaws agape watching this guy do what he does. About 8 years ago it was Rickie Lee Jones same place, Lensic Theater, first time she played her entire Pirates overture in many many years. Rickie didn’t puke about half way in, or ever, and that makes for a better show, too. Oh! Saw Hot Tuna.. Jorma Kaukonen & Jack Cassidy in a baseball field in Madrid, New Mexico about 7 years ago. Acoustic and bluegrass is usually a sure bet it’s going to sound okay.
What goes around, comes around.
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“A State Department of Fish and Wildlife sends a letter to a home/landowner asking for permission to access a creek on his property to document the decline in a certain species of unheard of frogs.
The property owners’ response in the second letter is EPIC.
Letter from Dept. Of Fish & Wildlife:
Dear Landowner:
WDFWR Staff will be conducting surveys for foothill yellow-legged frogs & other amphibians over the next few months. As part of this research we would like to survey the creek on your property. I am writing this letter to request your permission to access your property.
RESPONSE FROM LANDOWNERS:
Dear Mr. Nemel:
Thank you for your inquiry regarding accessing our property to survey for the yellow-legged frog. We may be able to help you out with this matter.
We have divided our 2.26 acres into 75 equal survey units with a draw tag for each unit. Application fees are only $8.00 per unit after you purchase the “Frog Survey License” ($120.00 resident / $180.00 Non-Resident). You will also need to obtain a “Frog Habitat” parking permit ($10.00 per vehicle).
You will also need an “Invasive Species” stamp ($15.00 for the first vehicle and $5.00 for each add’l vehicle) You will also want to register at the Check Station to have your vehicle inspected for Non-native plant life prior to entering our property. There is also a Day Use fee, $5.00 per vehicle.
If you are successful in the Draw you will be notified two weeks in advance so you can make necessary plans and purchase your “Creek Habitat” stamp. ($18.00 Resident / $140.00 Non-Resident).
Survey units open between 8 am. And 3 PM. But you cannot commence survey until 9 am. And must cease all survey activity by 1 PM.
Survey Gear can only include a net with a 2″ diameter made of 100% organic cotton netting with no longer than an 18 in handle, non-weighted and no deeper than 6′ from net frame to bottom of net. Handles can only be made of BPA-free plastics or wooden handles.
After 1 PM. You can use a net with a 3″ diameter if you purchase the “Frog Net Endorsement” ($75.00 Resident / $250 Non-Resident).
Any frogs captured that are released will need to be released with an approved release device back into the environment unharmed.
As of June 1, we are offering draw tags for our “Premium Survey” units and application is again only $8.00 per application.
However, all fees can be waived if you can verify “Native Indian Tribal rights and status”.
You will also need to provide evidence of successful completion of “Frog Surveys” and your “Comprehensive Course on Frog Identification, Safe Handling Practices, and Self-Defense Strategies for Frog Attacks.”
This course is offered on-line through an accredited program for a nominal fee of $750.00.
Please let us know if we can be of assistance to you. Otherwise, we decline your access to our property but appreciate your inquiry.”
Sincerely,
The American Citizens!
OMG! This is beautiful!! 🙂
Excellent!