just about a year and a half off of booze. When I feel the urge, and wonder why I am even sober, I return to this song. there is something transcendent about this tune that reminds me of what I set out to do. It is a blessing. thank you.
Always loved this song anyway, but it took on special significance in my early sobriety. So did Ship of Fools. Hang in there, LL, don't drink, and find someone to talk to that has been there, done that, and is living a better life free of alcohol.
Named my son August West to remind myself of how I could have been if I wasn't blessed with a beautiful son. Even though the marriage didn't work out I ended up with the best son in the world
As a musician, that is a really beautiful thing to read. Your focus isn't on the artists, ie think of how we lucky are they know how to play! No, it's on the self... Thank God I know how to listen..
no, hes letting the dope wash over him. very ironic performance, eh? ive stood on that carpet. jerry was an icon, for many ironic reasons. although, i see your point. its nice to hear someone tell you about the bottom FROM the bottom. been there. its like that
The 2 BEST years of my life were spent following these cats across the country.. Loved every minute of it!!! Not only the music, but the people i met, loved and lost... some of those bonds will last forever!!! Hands down my favorite... RIP and thank you Jerry!!!
I remember this live on TV in the UK. Then saw them live in London a week later. To you guys in recovery,all the best. When you stop counting days weeks months and years it's over. I'm 21y 3 m 14d.
Even though Townsend is coming from a completely different place, he's so brilliant that just his weird presence seems to add a great element and energy to this performance. You can hear it in his hard strumming that pushes the band. It's good stuff!
Two of my favorite guitarists and musicians -- Jerry and Pete. I just saw The Dark Star Orchestra last night. I took my teenage daughter who had never been to a "Dead" show. She loved every minute of it especially the nice people dancing all around us.
Why does everyone have to talk about what drugs who was on? What are you a bunch of saints? Shit happens. Just be glad Jerry was there to play. We all have our crosses to bear.
I miss the life i had touring with Grateful Dead,once an addict as well.I am here and sobre and Jerry is not?I miss you more than you ever know old friend
As a recovered addict, only five months. It now pains me to see jerry like this. I used to look at it with pride, like him and i were in the shitter together. So when he sings the breakdown. It felt as though we were singing it together, forahadowing our eventual recovery. Now, i feel as though its all bitter sweet you know. The lyrics are beautiful in their authenticity, the music too for that matter. But the songs takes on a new meaning, one of pride and confidence. But you cant help but think about garcia's fate, i know he had patches of recovery and thats a wonderful thing. But it still feels as though he never truly lived the life he should, you know? At least we and him can take solace in the fact that his music inspired ao many, including myself. A new life that certaintly would not have been possible if it hadnt been for the good ol grateful dead. Take care everybody. And rip jerry garcia.
I feel similar. Its sad, but I wouldn't go so far as "pride and confidence". Jerry wanted to be true and what you're seeing in the video is as genuine as you could hope for. Jerry didn't make it. But that doesn't mean it was pride or confidence that was what made that happen. You and I had an easier time, for what its worth. You've got 5 months, I've got 28 years. Doesn't mean any of our struggles where the same or that we should compare them by length of time or who's still alive. I wasn't doing addictive drugs, so am I even a recovering addict? Jerry had an amazing life but being a rock star is not without its own unique struggles. What happens with a lot of people is that they want to be true but they're not quite sure what true is. Jerry spent a lot of years finding out in a bug way how some chemicals could make things truer, so maybe he never came around to see being 100% clean as the same as being true. I don't doubt Jerry tried to be true. Some people can still do some drugs and not be a Wharf Rat. Jerry probably never intended to be 100% clean. I can't say what he saw in the heroin because I never tried that, but maybe he just wanted a road to take him home. That's a good thing, its just when you get there using those chemicals it can kill you. His heart was true, maybe his mind wasn't understanding all the consequences of the chemicals. Strategy was not his strength. And he was human. He may really wanted to live and just couldn't pull himself out of the cycle and stay out. It doesn't mean he was confident and prideful. Jerry always had a lot of deep pain. People that knew him point out that he was known as joyful and starry eyed but he had a lot of pain behind those eyes. And most of his life he found ways to get beyond that pain. But heroin killed him, even though maybe it did take him home as well. What I feel is just that its really fucking sad that there are chemicals like heroin that promise and deliver taking people home and wrapped in the same ball is poison that stabs you in the back and robs many people trying to get back on their feet of their dignity and sometimes their lives. Jerry was a victim and was searching for the right thing in the wrong place.
+Doug Snyder everything you said is completelly true and a very well formulated statement. but i think you misunderstood me, i meant it made me feel proud and confident. i found pride in the fact that someone as amazing as jerry was struggling with the same thing as me and confidence when he sings the breakdown, like we were singing it together. we'll get back on our feet some day. we'll live the life we should. i consider myself very fortunate for doing that, ive come so far to live the life i should. what breaks my heart is i dont believe jerry had the opportunity, so now when i watch this video, the total realness of it is what upsets me. he was who he was and i dont fault him for that, by any means. i believe any man using heroin and other drugs for decades that has recovered multiple times does want to live a better life and jerry did. ufortnately it was too late and it caught up with him. i feel the same way when watching some of brents songs. but i dont know what was going on in garcias mind, but i do know without his place on this earth, the music he created and the lives he touched for generations down the line, i doubt i would be where i am now. so you are right, i should look at this version with love, it represents everything i love about jerry and the boys. its a reminder of the pain and beauty of life and im sure jerry would be tickled to hear that theres guys like us enjoying our lives, healthy, and listening to the dead with smiles, you know? congrats on 28 years man, damn. take care
Pete Townsend too ! "On March 28th, 1981 the band welcomed another guest of high-esteem as the principal songwriter and lead guitarist of The Who, Pete Townshend, meets the band on stage for a three-song set capable of bringing the house down. The Grateful Dead were in Europe following a short run at the Rainbow Theatre in London with a final show in the German city of Essen. The band made their way to the city for a feature-length performance on legendary TV show Rockpalast. The television show was at the height of its power and was bringing in some notable acts when they invited the West Coast counter-culture kings, The Grateful Dead. The band weren’t exactly the punk-fired acts the show had become accustomed to, but the Dead had an ace in the hole. That ace was none other than lead guitarist of The Who, Pete Townshend. While The Who may have been in a bit of a creative lull at the time, Townshend joined the Dead for a rollicking performance that proved he wasn’t done with rock and roll just yet. There’s an extended ‘Drums’ segment which highlights Bill Kruetzmann and Mickey Hart who were joined by The Flying Karamazov Brothers before Townshend joins at the end of the band’s second set. The great guitarist joined The Grateful Dead for the often covered, ‘Not Fade Away’. It marks the colliding of two rock powerhouses. A collision that continues when the band begin the Garcia-led ‘Wharf Rat’ and the feistier Bob Weir number, ‘Around And Around’. Townshend slipped off stage before The Grateful Dead closed out the performance with ‘Good Lovin’ but left a lasting impression on the audience both inside the studio and sitting at home. "
"Old man down Way down, down, down by the docks of the city Blind and dirty Asked me for a dime, a dime for a cup of coffee I got no dime but I got some time to hear his story"
i like some dead songs but never considered myself a "DEADHEAD".but after finally hearing this gem i consider myself a official HEAD ! i saw the deads last show with Jerry at the old spectrum here in Philly in 94',it was magical!!
For all those that say this is the best of the dead. Couuld be one of thiers as are a lot of others. What I learned over the last 52.5 years is that your dead favorites are all about the pairing of the songs, sets and concerts. tough to pick a favorite. This is one of them
thats whats so awesome about the dead. they would never embarrass or show up another musician its all about the togetherness who cares if Pete didint know the Chords and hats off to Bobby for trying to help him
Oh man, hearing Pete add his “Umph” to the climax is delightful. @ around 7 minutes. Incidentally, I saw both bands for the first time in “82- The Who, Rosemont Horizon, Chicago and ‘83 Dead, Poplar Creek, Chicago. Ripe young at of 12/13. Music Is Life.
This is day 7 of the days between. The raw pain and emotion Jerry pours into a song, especially this one, always gets me down deep. It is sad to see him like this but to each their own. Like Jerrys sentiment in the very old song "Mindbender(can't come down) the line goes "Who you are and what you do don't make no difference to me" PeaceOrElse
Your right. THe passion that came out of that man when he played, it came from every ounce of his soul. It was incredible. Listening to many of Jerrys ballads like say Morning Dew from july 4 89, hearing Jerry cry out " I guess it doesnt matter anyway, nd then rip those guitar frets like crazy is just amazing. even with all the GD fans I think the Gd are one of the most underrated bands ever. People who dont know the actual music think of them for the wrong reasons. It was the music.
My first Dead show in the 70's and saw Jerry's last in Chicago mid-90's. If you have never been to a Dead concert you are not allowed to comment on the quality of this song. It is one of their finest and this is a flipping great rendition! Enjoy...
that's not fair man, I was born in 91 and am truly addicted to the dead. I saw them in cali for their 50th but it doesn't matter. jerry didn't want his legacy to be some hateful clique, this song and many of his others have literally changed my young life. being there was surely amazing I envy you, but don't put the young people like me that care so deeply for the grateful dead the scene means nothing to them. they are truly moved and in love with the music. stay grateful my friend
that's not fair man, I was born in 91 and am truly addicted to the dead. I saw them in cali for their 50th but it doesn't matter. jerry didn't want his legacy to be some hateful clique, this song and many of his others have literally changed my young life. being there was surely amazing I envy you, but don't put the young people like me that care so deeply for the grateful dead the scene means nothing to them. they are truly moved and in love with the music. stay grateful my friend
Gary Williams i think you're dead (HA!) on brother! it's amazing to know that some of those born in the 90's still possess some modicum of appreciation for sincere, legitimate music that hasn't been created by a computer, or is referred to only (in my estimation) LIGHTLY as music - Rap is not fucking music. Just like Jerry said, it has rhythm and measure - but it's not music! you've got no say in when you were born. I too never got into the dead until i was about 18 years old (in ....oh about 1992 or so). i saw jerry 3 times but he was old and fucking tired and didnt' play terribly well anymore. i liked the "farewell" shows quite a bit too. good on you broseph!
This is one of the greatest Dead shows of all time. Near perfect example of the Dead.....would present this entire show to someone who has never heard anything by them. Pitch perfect.
Yep shoot up methedrine or crank n that is what u get. Same with Roy Buchanan. It is a tribute to Roy's and Jerry's musical genius that they could even hold a guitar when in that condition let alone do a coherent song. Garcia is on a major mainlined stimulant. Methedrine makes crank look like sunday punch at a church get together.
Drums and bass as thunder rolls, turns on a dime, music rips the clouds to shreds. Just another working day for the Working Man's Dead. A thousand thanks.
As an alcoholic,, this wonderful tune can bring me up to mie sobriety, und also bring me down . All depends where das heart und mind is. My best to, Matthew
I love this version of Wharf Rat. Even though Townshend is a fish out of water jamming with them, he brings fresh energy and the band is obviously stoked to jam with him.
Great Wharf Rat. That nose must be Pete Townend. He doesn't add much to this version, but the band is listenen well to each other because of his presence. Great Brett, love that Leslie sound. Thanks Robert Hunter (and Jerry) for the best blues tune ever.
Fer what it's worth, by the way, Jerry liked Pete very much as a friend. They both shared the dreams and disappointments of their era (the idea that music could pave the way for a better, freer, more enlightened world, and the crushing disappointment when they realized that it proably wasn't gonna happen). Fortunately, Pete managed to escape from his demons/habits and stay alive. Would that Jerry had found the same strength.
IF YOU SEE MY LIL REDROOSTER PLEASE WON'T YOU BRING HIM HOME. RIP CLARENCE CLEMMONS JAMMED WITH ALL THE CREW 06' BOCA HIS LAST JAM GLAD TO OF BEEN THERE. ALSO TO ALL WHOM THINK YOUR HOLLY GRAIL BECAUSE OF AGE, SHOWS, ETC. THE MUSIC IS INSIDE IT'S MEANT TO KEEP ON TRUCKIN GENERATION AFTER THE NEXT, and on. ( look at ALL the Marley's ) YEAH TIMES HAVE CHANGED, have SEEN JERRY WITH JGB AND DEAD OVER 50 SHOWS BUT THAT ALL OVER NOW BABY BLUE, GLAD TO SEE THE TORCSH BEING CARRIED ON, THE BOYS STILL JAMMIN SO HEY, " IF YA GET CONFUSED, JUST LISTEN TO THE MUSIC PLAY "... NOT FADE AWAY!!!
seeing Townsend and Garcia together doing one of my favourite Dead numbers, its like two strands of life coming together, as a teenager in London I was a mod into the Who and Small Faces and that and then later in California at age 19 got into the Dead and they mean a lot to me too, great music, great sounds, great times full of highs and lows which is what the music is about helping you through bad times and high through the good I'm a soul boy at heart and these songs are full of soul for me
First you notice jerry playing beautifully but sort of .... The music builds to the first big line... Half of my life... Your not sure if he is just getting off on the music as much as you are or ... wait, ... no one glimpse of Pete Townsend behind jerry confirms. THIS IS SOME GOOD SHIT. Bobby steps up motioning for more mic in a weird moment, pulling jerry out of a trance. (on purpose?) The music continues to cook, but gdammit if jerry isnt sleeping. It's all been said the man has been gone for 20 years and it still feels like yesterday but im able to look at this stuff and enjoy it and laugh now. good stuff.
you might think that this is a shitty version because who,s his name trying to figure out what the f is going on and Jerry flubs the lyrics and is ob- viously high as hell. BUT this is an awesome wrarf rat if you get what the songs about
2 of my favorites! Jerry and Pete! Sure Pete's absolutely lost up there but I can only imagine this idea came up when Jerry and him were freebasing backstage lol.
Such a beautiful song. So easy to play on guitar but such a good song. Well the chords are easy. Jerry’s sweet sweet lead is impossible to replicate. How he rolls through scales in such a unique sick sounding way. Fire fire fire. I’m so happy there’s HQ video from so many shows over the years. As someone who was only 14 when jerry died I missed seeing him live. Stinks. Wish I was 18 in 1976.
I used to go to his concerts starting in late 60s.... In 90s I would stay at the TRITON... On the 2nd floor A pile of skulls at the top of the stairs. The conference room , had a fabulous Mural Of Jerry and the band...a cool, place.... their place. SAN FRANCISCO forever.
Townsend was there for one reason….to keep Garcia from going into withdrawals during this Europe stretch. As soon as they got off the plane, first on the to-do list was to score the desired opiates. Pete came through with flying colors.
True? Definitely plausible. Jerry is very close to nodding out, yet I get the chills watching it. Creative Titians, yet human and fallible. Beautiful. Unfortunately, youtube and Instagram, and the secret guitar Illuminati are not allowing players like this anymore.
I remember sitting in prison for a DUI wreck singing those word: "Half of my life I spent doing time for some other fuckers crime" on the day that I literally had spent half of my adult life in prison on that sentence. I was always referring to my dad who drove drunk 1000's of times and did many major felony crimes without doing a day in prison. I love my dad as much as anyone in the world, and Jerry is also highest on the list for most loved musicians.
OMG, I'm tearing, I miss my shows!!! whether I'm sleepinging in stables in Ventura or in some fancy hotel at the Fillmore, or a tent in Irvine running from lions, where can this be replaced?? I will NEVER forget. Oh the girls,the dancing, the love. Long live these memories!!
"Half of my life..... The other half found me stumbling around drunk on Burgundy wine." Amazing. Think about how Jerry was rarely persecuted and lived a life of love and celebration. He was a cherished human being by those who knew him. So he forgot the words, "I spent doing time for some other fucker's crime." If anything, he was the reducer of sentences
To all who listen the joy will never die I listen almost every day to my favorites and this is by far one of them heard it at least in 20 different places will always mean the same to me
I saw the Dead and The Who Summer of ‘75 - Oakland Coliseum- Bill Grahams’s “Days on the Green” concert series. The Dead opened. They must have been pals at some point. First time seeing both bands. I was 16. Killer show.
Btw anyone else notice Jerry’s jaw going back and forth? I’ve watched many many shows and don’t think I have ever seen a sign of him possibly high. That’s a clear sign of coke. Might of been partying hard that night. Musically he was so good in later 70’s into early 80’s. 81 was great year.
Daaayhuum A Guitar Pikker Extraordinaire. What an Angelic Voice coming out of this WildMan! I'm AweStruck. Thank You Jerry! RoseBud Must have been FireProof. Lol 1 Awsome Love
Why all the hate for Townshend? Is it because he's smoking? Whoopdy doo, Ronnie Wood and Keith Richards can do it without generating too many haters lol, why cant Pete? Besides, Pete was pretty big into the coke and I dont doubt for a second that him and the dead didn't do some partying before the show. He was probably bugging out, "jeez I need a smoke right now or I'll die." Pete is easily one of rock and roll's finest rhythm guitarists and I personally quite enjoyed his contribution to the song. Besides, both bands played woodstock so they probably have some sort of history, or at least respect for one another. Neither band played anything the same way twice and both are amazing live jam bands. Its a shame these musicians can never do anything different without criticizm.
Maxwell Carpenter max go and RU-vid some real who shows and you might think differently. Listen to Live at Leeds and tell me that The Who weren't a jam band. They were not your typical staged performers.
Thomas Sirman Yeah, Pete's a genius. His music is genius. And the energy he had during the Live At Leeds/Woodstock days were unmatched. Live At Leeds is incredible. Pretty ridiculous people taking pot shots because he's hanging around and having fun and not familiar with the material.