An excellent suggestion from Hal R., picking up on a thread in another topic: how did you get on the bus? What was that moment that left no room for doubt?
Probably no two stories are the same, but they're all probably pretty interesting, so tell all here!
Was fooling around wasting time not going in any direction.Met 2 smoking pals was high one night some one put on deadset and the void was filled this was what id been looking for there it was right there and id stopped searching as well.
The music never stopped.
Just got really hard into all this a couple of years ago, despite living in the bay area for years and 20+ years in the retail music biz.
I'd been into the music in my own little world for years but had not made it to a show until the Dead came to Deer Ck (Noblesville) in 2004. I dragged my wife along and had an amazing time!
Walking about before the show, people were so friendly and nice. Always offering a handshake, a beer, or more. I'd been to "alternative" festivals before (Lollapalooza, Warped, etc) and people were always so angry... fights, cliques, etc. But here it was like seeing old friends we'd never met before. So we walked about taking it all in.
Finally we went in. As we took our seats and the show began, I noticed all the different types of people there, grooving together. Behind us sat this cute older couple (grandpa aged). He in his overalls, she in her gardening hat, both in home made tie-dyes. Beside us sat parents and their 3 children. I thought, where else can you get so many generations together and have them all get along so harmoniously? It was really an awesome thing.
Then, as the music began and everyone started grooving in their own way, I saw how a bunch of individuals became also one, and how the band too became part of that one. It was magical.
Anyway, after that, I was hooked. Tried to see them when I can. They don't come through Indiana much anymore but when they do, I go. And, I am trying to teach my kids to follow the path as well.
-Dave
So some friends to a group of us to the see the Dead. We were all a bunch of dedicated pot smokers, having graduated from HS at the time of protests over the war, women's rights, civil rights, we were pretty alienated from "normal" society and trying to find our way in this stupid world. Nobody was normal that I knew, but being from the mostly white, safe suburbs we didn't have anything to really replace our "normalcy" with other than smoking pot and not feeling connected to anything. The whole world was mad, but there was no sane island. The show itself was indeed mad, the energy was almost visible, the crowd was like a bubbling, frothing sea of arms a flapping, bodies jumping, hair a flying. We were off to the far right, in a slightly elevated area where we could see. I can't remember anything of the music itself, just the energy and interplay of the crowd and band, it seemed like the band was sweeping the crowd with waves of music and the crowd would respond by breaking upon the shore of the music, it was too powerful and mysterious to fathom or absorb. Months later I was alone at my friends, smoking again, and found "Live Dead". I must have listened to that album all night, over and over, I certainly got it, the first so many chords of that Dark Star will forever be apart of my DNA of the neural pathways to rebalance and transcend all BS of the "normal" world. So I'll always look upon the music and the scene as a personal experience of awakening, and wonder if it's the same or similar for others? Even now when I attend a show I'm lost in a near trance like deep space of thought that goes out and out...
I had met some new friends (they were a family three sisters and a brother) at school, and they had just moved up from Los Angeles. They invited me to come along with them to a show. My younger brother always was playing Grateful Dead records early in the morning so I thought that since I was somewhat familiar with their music, it would be interesting to go with them.
Boy was I in for a treat. It was a bonbon of epic proportions. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that my life was about to drastically change forever. I felt so at home, the music hit such a nerve in my soul and could make my mind and body feel so grand. I never ever felt anything like it in my life. I loved seeing everyone dancing together and when a song would start, people knew the names of the songs within notes of them playing them. I noticed people writing the songs down on paper. It really struck my curiosity for they were so into them with such passion.
I look back now, and I would have never have imagined that going out to hear a rock band was actually taking a part in some real American musical history. I feel so blessed to be a part of it. I was a fan from my first show and I loved going to hear Jerry play at the Keystones and the Stone often.
My first ride on the bus was certainly a doohickey of a ride and I would never take it back it I had to in a million years. I am eternally grateful.. Oh and by the way I want to thank you for a real good time.
Jesus paid for our sins, let's get our $$$ worth.
Growing up my Uncle Mickey would let me borrow his Terrapin Station and Workingman's Dead albums and I would listen to them over and over. He started seeing them at Englishtown in 77 and I can remember him going up to MSG and down to the Cap Center. I kept nagging my mom to let me go, but her response was always the same "I know what going on at those Grateful Dead shows". Once I got to college I headed up to the Spectrum and caught 3 out of 4 nights and I was hooked. I knew there something special going on!!! After a few outer body experiences at the Pitts. Civic Arena and JFK back in Philly, I was lucky enough to go down to a mecca in Hampton Va for the two Warlock shows. I knew then that there was no looking back from there!!!! Nassau with Branford was another night that reconfirmed that I was with my kinda of people listening to my kinda music. It a been a beautiful ride so far and I'll keep coming back!!!!
brought me to eugenbe 8/28/88. loved cray and was a birthday present to go see him. oh ya and also jimmy cliff and the grateful dead who both i knew of and heard acouple of songs by both. robert was great, jimmy very energetic. the scene on the lot were my type of ppl. BUT when the dead played! magical. i was dancing, everyone was dancing! and i was singing words to songs i didnt know. i got highjacked by the bus and its been a wonderful ride! :)
I came to the Dead late... 1984. Canada's Wonderland... and it was. June 21st. 1984. Grad form High School that same day. Summer Solstice. The Band opening for the Dead... WOW. Looking for old buds who went with me to this show. Dave C. from T.O. Whos out there...
head over to the Deadheads of Australia topic and make yourself at home!
Locations
I saw the two shows at the Electric factory in Philly April 1968. I do not remember much of these two shows. Then in May at Central Park in NYC they only played MORNING DEW.
The boys were in great form PIGPEN was awsome sure miss him. @ that point I was on the bus and had just so many great shows with the DEAD family around. I am still excited and am now waiting for the 2 FURTHUR shows in Eugene OR.
I am always the person walking and shaking hands to "welcome home" to the dead family.
Saw shows in the 60's 70's 80's 90' 00' and now still on tour in 10'.
Thanks for all the good times with the family.