Wednesday August 4, 2010 at 12:00AM
On Sunday (August 1st), fans, friends, and family celebrated what would have been the 68th birthday of Grateful Dead front man Jerry Garcia. At 53 years old, Jerry departed this world as the result of a heart attack on August 9th 1995. He had been struggling with heroin addiction and constant health issues springing from his diabetes and weight problems in the months preceeding his death. Jerry Garcia’s music, personality, character, and connection to his fans has caused his unanimous election as a figurehead of the psychadelic counterculture created in the 60’s that is still very much alive and kicking in 2010. Along with the other members of the Grateful Dead, Jerry created an entire new style of live music revolving around multi-peaked and often disorganized jams that could last all night that has evolved today into the concept of “JAM BAND MUSIC.” Without the Grateful Dead, there would be no Jam Bands. The Grateful Dead have always been generations ahead of their time, and broke free of the traditional model of playing as early as 1964. Jerry is forever immortalized as a pioneer of psychadelic rock, bluegrass, and blues, and is a major influence on so much about today’s music. His versatility, soul, and talent earned him much praise throughout his lifetime including a rank of 13th on Rolling Stones most influential guitar players of all time list. Aside from the Grateful Dead, Jerry formed and participated in numerous successful side projects with such greats as Merl Saunders, David Nelson & New Riders of the Purple Sage, Crosby Stills & Nash, Bob Dylan, Ornette Coleman, Howard Wales, and David Grisman. In addition to a musical career spanning 3 decades, being the front man of the most well marketed band in history, and being one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Garcia also was a well regarded painter. Many of his paintings are available in prints and originals online or in his galleries. Additionally, there is a line of men’s neck ties called “J Garcia Ties” that feature his original art work. Held this past weekend, Gathering of the Vibes in Bridgeport, CT is a music festival that is held and attended by about 25,000 people each summer in rememberance of Jerry Garcia. Throughout the weekend, numerous bands and GD related acts payed homage to the great Jerry Garcia through kind words and music. Thursday evening featured Donna Jean, and The Dark Star Orchestra (the world’s pre-eminent GD tribute band) recreating the Grateful Dead experience into the wee hours of the night. On Friday, the current Grateful Dead act which includes Bob Weir and Phil Lesh; Furthur, played a 4 hour show in honor of the late great. On Saturday afternoon, NRPS played songs from their self titled album that originally featured Jerry on the pedal steel guitar including a beautiful rendition of “Friend of the Devil”. On the whole, the weekend was a huge success, and I am sure Jerry was turning over in his grave watching his legacy live on through his people.