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  • mkav
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    @DAVEROCK

    Sounds like you caught some good shows with some kind fans. Always talking, singing , dancing at Dead shows.
    I started going to Dead shows in 1975 (Legion of Mary)...I was probably median-aged at the show. Still attending, and I'm STILL median aged. It's amazing and wonderful how the various iterations continue to attract "youngsters" just hearing them, and to "oldsters" who still are hooked.
    I hope they won't fade away. In say, 10 years or less, there will be no original members left, but I'll bet the music will never stop.

    By the way: they were most definitely listening to AND feeling it.

  • mkav
    Joined:
    Sphere

    I'm counting on your being right about this. Going for one show: 8/9/24. Can't wait!

  • RoadTripper
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    Sphere

    go to the Sphere and you wont regret it. easy to say because we live in Nevada. it is worth whatever price you pay.

  • daverock
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    What's in a word?

    Thinking about this subject took me back to 1990, and those three shows I saw at Wembley. Listening to The Dead had really taken off for me in 1987, when I discovered a fanzine in England called "Spiral Light" which was devoted to the band. Through them a tapers library, and through them other tapers. Incredible shows coming through my letterbox every week. It was virtually all I listened to - on a very basic mobile cassette recorder. I didn't know anyone else who knew, heard or cared about The Dead. My girlfriend did, of course, but she wasn't really into music of any sort.

    Fast forward to Wembley and I am in the balcony surrounded by crowds of shouting, singing, talking, dancing people. On average, they looked younger than me - I was 33. A lot of noise before the band came on, and it increased when they did. They responded as loudly to Stella Blue as to U.S.Blues. I wondered if they were actually listening to the music at all, or if they had seen so many shows that it was just background music to them for their own partying. In a way it was more like being at a giant football game than a music concert.

    When I got back home, my mates asked me what it was like. I told them it was incredible - and that there were all these people from America there, who had followed the band around Europe. I told my mates these people did this all the time, across America and that they were called " Deadheads". They seemed very different form the kind of people who write on the board - but maybe they are the same people.

  • mkav
    Joined:
    continued Deadhead commentary

    I am sure I am a Deadhead by most definitions, but I still don't necessarily like being called a Deadhead (or being labeled as anything, for that matter). The narrow connotation of the unemployed unwashed drifter may not even be current anymore. I've enjoyed the music, overall scene, concerts, etc. since the mid 70s so I guess I'm still hanging onto a passé trope.

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    I guess the definition of a lunatic is a man surrounded by them

    Hey rockers!!!

    Previous/other definitions of deadhead:

    one who has not paid for a ticket
    a dull or stupid person
    a partially submerged log
    a faded blossom on a flowering plant
    to make especially a return trip without a load
    excess metal in the riser of a mold

    I guess that explains it...............

    Rock on,

    Doc
    Deadhead

  • Graceful_Dead
    Joined:
    The Age-old Question

    Doing my homework, I came across salient entries in the Skeleton Key: Dictionary for Deadheads (Shenk and Silbermnan, 1994).
    Much like the sentiment expressed by MKAV and DAVEROCK, under the entry "No but I've been to shows" is:
    "a reluctance to be tagged with the word "Deadhead", not wanting to be lumped in the category with Tour Rats or with the negative portrayal of Heads in the media".

    And again, under the entry for Deadheads, Blair Jackson is quoted as saying, "I wish I had a dollar for every person I've met who said "I like the Grateful Dead but I'm not a Deadhead".

    I'd say this is a different response than saying "I don't wish to be labeled that way"; many people have heard a few tunes and liked them, and otherwise do not show outward signs of having caught the bug (e.g. downloading shows).
    Later Jackson adds "..what it IS about is a certain openness in spirit and attitude" and "...if you say you're a Deadhead, you are". Yep, no barriers, no qualifications to meet.

    But I am left wondering how to regard those who appear to be Deadheads, but who have broader tastes that covers all the acts at a jam band festival: Jam Hearts?

    PS Enjoying the holiday

  • daverock
    Joined:
    The first Deadhead

    I can remember reading an interview with Jerry Garcia once, in which he was asked about Deadheads and how many shows some of them had attended. The interviewer said words to the effect that no matter how many shows that was , no one Deadhead had attended all of them. Jerry responded by saying he was wrong, because he had. Pretty cool.

  • Forensicdoceleven
    Joined:
    If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm..

    Hey, Sunshine Daydreamers!!

    We weren't Deadheads at first, but once we morphed into that we were all in. Never viewed that label as derogatory. To us it always meant folks who are very into the music of the Grateful Dead. Not everybody made it to shows, but that didn't matter........

    LOL everybody in my office knows I'm a Deadhead, one look at my car and you can just tell........

    So Jeff, how do I join? Can I afford the dues? Are there meetings??? LOL maybe all these years I was an "honorary member" and never really knew it..............

    Rock on!!

    Doc
    Everyone has a dark cloud hovering over them at some point, but then there is sunshine.....

  • Oroborous
    Joined:
    Just exactly perfect HG

    And
    Howdy Jeff!

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17 years 5 months
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The bus came by. We got on. That's how it all began. Almost as soon as the Fare Thee Well shows were announced, folks started planning to meet in Chicago. They met. They connected. Things were never the same. And now, further! Or maybe Furthur.
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infinity and beyond indeed.... Positive thoughts and energy for the Sarge.... is it pie time yet?
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13 years 8 months
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Hey now brother. See you're first on the new bus. Much nicer than the old one. Thanks for putting the coffee on. Sarge is sleeping in the back, opiates can take their toll especially when mixed with them bones. Thanks for asking btw. I'm certain the tribe will find us, we are everywhere. Thanks to geoalwaysthesentimentalonemeister for the new bus name. We have to honor the past and prepare for the future....you have taught me a tremendous amount George, thank you. marye, thank you on behalf of the rabble for giving us space and the freedom to be the freaks we are, thanks for the new bus as well. You are always welcome here. Sarge, don't bogart that bone my friend, pass it to Boo Boo.... Hey Boo Boo some pie please.... Hey Jerry we still miss you.... Hey JeffSmith....Onward? We still need a driver, I retired after FTW, Sarge is rehabbing and Miami is MIA.... Love is real Not Fade Away....mmmm bop bop .... bop bop
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9 years 4 months
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Did somebody say new dus???? Hey Sarge, gimmie the keys and we'll take this baby out for a spin...you packed extra bones right? Hang on tight boys and girls as da wheels on ba dus go round and round... Hope All the Daydreamers are enjoying the summertime... Love to you ALL!
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13 years 8 months
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that's what I'm talking about... welcome home Miami glad to have you (wo)manning the wheel. Keep on truckin' mama....
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10 years 4 months
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Can't believe it's been over two years since Sunshine Daydreamers started hopping on this bus! What a long strange trip it's been! Onward indeed! LikeToHike's got my vote for new bus driver. Look forward to more white-knuckled, free-wheeling, cryptic, sleight-of-hands bus trips through the cosmos. (I know I've already said) ONWARD!
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9 years 8 months
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LiketoHike behind the wheel, Oat Jeff directing us onward, and rrrrgggrrr keeping us sane, whoo hooo I'll take a slice of that blueberry peach, a la mode please
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13 years 8 months
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Watcha talking 'bout Willis... One thing is for sure liketohike will keep us safe.... Hey Boo Boo this pie is making Sarge pie eyed.....is that normal?
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9 years 8 months
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that's not the pie, its the autumn haze, the pie makes him drool
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9 years 4 months
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funny...Sour Diesel is what ba dus runs on...imagine that
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9 years 9 months
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can run wild with the aforementioned gas...inspiration an be found anywhere. Good to see Daydreamers here and there, welcome to the Sunshiner's new lair; May all who stop to shake hands and sing, Hear the music, the ripples that ring. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-voI8q4j87U&feature=youtu.be Happy Birthday Terrapin, and welcome aboard one and all.
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13 years 7 months
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To coin a phrase. When my nephew was recounting his adventures in the pit at Wrigley (a month ago already?), he was talking about the time between Scarlet and Fire. Lacking better terminology, he said, “We were in the caret”, as in the > symbol used in setlists. I know all of you have been “in the caret” at some point.
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10 years 4 months
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Perfect! Well said nephew of Graceful_Dead. Oh, to be in the caret! Onward. . .
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13 years 8 months
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It soothes my soul to see so many old faces....ummmm make that avatars back here. This forum has been invaluable in offering me smiles, laughs and some much needed support over the past two years...Have a great weekend, I'm going back to the >, it is indeed a sweet spot.....kinda like the Philzone...
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9 years 4 months
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Hey Now Daydreamers dis dus is rockin' and rollin' down the road...quickly approaching August...you know what that means.... The Days Between! We miss Jerry on this Bus, yes we do... Who's going to Meet up at the Movies....raise your hands/paws... Have a great weekend all...enjoy the last days of July.
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13 years 8 months
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I know... Meet up at the movies is on my radar, funny thing it's on August 1, 2017....funny coincidence? Ohhhhh I get it, it's to celebrate mkav's wife's birthday, boy that is sooooo thoughtful of them.... HEY MRS. MKAV HAPPY BIRTHDAY! from the dog and me..... the Days Between, I can feel some songs coming on the horizon.... the wheels on this bus sure do go round in circles indeed!
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9 years 9 months
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Liketohike, Liketobrivebadus, and liketosmile, We be celebrating the past, honoring the present and anticipating the future, as all of it makes up the magic carpet we find ourselves on. So many ways to communicate, so many ways to share, so many ways to smile. Good to see you and you and you on board...pets, parts, and participles, the rising sun being blue, the sky a vivid yellow, ba dus crammed with laughter and song...and donuts, always those pesky donuts and coffee too. Got a spot for all...we miss Jerry but remember his smile. Destinations unknown by some, imagined by others, and a planned by those whose wheel stopped revolving long enough to score tickets. All share in the journey, all welcome aboard. Know that these wheels slow down for caret crossings, stop on a diner's dime, and have been known to circle back as needed. Price of admission is a hoot and a holler, or a flashing peace sign and smile. So pay at the door, pay it forward, put it on the tab, it don't matter a bit. Your seat is reserved always and forever. Allllll aboarrrrrddddd!!!
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9 years 8 months
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Was a good show on a fine tour but, outside on the road the police were on the hunt for heads, fortunately I left late in my '70 VW camper, but we saw so many folks pulled over it was sick, it was one of two years in a row they pulled that crap, so bad the Dead's newsletter that came with mail order tickets warned of the situation. We are headed to the show, hopefully no presence after....... Happy Birthday wishes to Ms. Mkav and also to a certain retired Dus Briver......
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13 years 8 months
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So at the Burgettstown show this June, whatever lot we parked in, the local 5-0 had drug sniffing Rin Tin Tins, we were tailgating and minding our own business, this Narc comes by with Lassie who starts sniffing me n my buddies. Well all we had was in the closed car, they proceeded to the hippies to our left, a sweet lady and her friends. Said dog sniffed her, whimpered, cop asks her to empty her pockets, she pulls out a lighter, bones and a bag of herbage. He grabs her, cuffs her and takes her away. Ain't that a fucking shame. Hey Boo Boo, thanks for remembering! 7-12-89 was indeed a great show.... Hey Sarge, no more Vicodin!
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9 years 8 months
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Thanks to your heads up regarding the situation at Burgettstown we avoided the heat, but they sure did have a strong presence cuffed and dragged away for a few bones, WTF and all the real criminals are wearing white shirts and suit coats.... and we can't forget birthday wishes and thoughts for the one we miss........ Dereck and the Dominos released on vinyl today and Jerry's Reflections as well
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13 years 8 months
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Layla and Other Assorted Love Songs on vinyl? I'm on that like white on rice..... it's my favorite album of all time, if I had only one to bring to a desert island, that's my pick....
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9 years 8 months
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Music Direct gets the first allotment from Mobile Fidelity, so the earlier presses and ships a day or two before anyone else, I pre-ordered and it shipped today, Happy Friday, oh yes!
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15 years 9 months
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Made the leap over to our new home!! Have a good weekend Folks! It's about 108 down here...no worries!
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17 years 3 months
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mrs mkav (who is Mary, so maybe she is THE mkav?) says thank you to all the birthday well-wishers, and back atcha Rich.
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9 years 8 months
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Is this where I get on?
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9 years 4 months
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It certainly is...dis dus stops on a dime...as Geo has pointed out, and it's known to circle back to pick up those we may have missed. Climb aboard and take a seat...Hey Sarge...pass the bone to Kurt Dawg...and keep em comin'. Welcome back my friends to the show that never ends, we're so glad you could attend...come inside, come inside...
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13 years 8 months
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Happy 75th brother.... nothing left to do but smile, Smile, SMILE!!!!!! :-)
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16 years 6 months
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Hey Now Marye - we took the plunge today. It's nearly sold out too, in less than 1/2 a day. Only unanswered question is the show dates (three shows over four days). Doesn't matter...we're stoked for 6 days and 5 nights of intimate Dead, on-the-beach. Should be pretty cool. Any SD'ers bringing their flip-flops?
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9 years 8 months
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Did any body go the movie last night? Our local theatre needs a sound system update, ceiling speakers don't cut it.
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13 years 8 months
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Tell them to get some KEFs.... or better yet, Bose :-)
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9 years 8 months
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yes, bose,with a stereo input......
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10 years 4 months
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All the best to those of you gravitating toward Morrison to help celebrate Jerry's 74th! Gonna be a high time at Red Rocks tonight! Onward!
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13 years 8 months
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Jerrys 75th my man ONWARD! :-)
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10 years 4 months
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Still miss Jerry!
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13 years 8 months
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I know (said disaffectedly David Gans style)
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15 years 9 months
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Just listened to the Jerry birthday show on Sirius this afternoon...AMAZING!!! Just my .02!! :-)
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13 years 7 months
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I am putting finishing touches on a presentation about the Dead phenomenon, and realized I have never seen an estimate of the number of Dead Heads that exist. Has anyone seen anyone try to SWAG this?
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17 years 3 months
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interesting question...what do you define as deadhead? i know plenty of people who like the dead, have more than a passing knowledge of the dead's work, and may have even been to a few shows, but probably would not consider themselves "deadheads". Would you, for this purpose?
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13 years 7 months
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I feel ya, mkav. Maybe its like a weighted FTE measure to account for people who are Dead-curious. The alternative, strict, way to go is to say, you are a Head when you are ready to declare that as an identity. And thanks Rich for, well, you know, being ... rrrgrr But the simple questions is, does an estimate exist? it should be a census category. But I now believe we're now off the endangered list.
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13 years 7 months
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Very round, unsupported number in that article on the UNC prof.I guess we will have to develop our own methodology.
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13 years 8 months
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Valid point Tom. How about this... will anyone who is a deadhead please raise your hand.... now all you have to do is count them.