"Can we get rid of this ayatollah T-shirt? Khomeini died years ago."
"But, Marge, it works on any ayatollah-- Ayatollah Nakhbadeh, Ayatollah Zahedi. As we speak, Ayatollah Razmara and his cadre of fanatics are consolidating their power."
"I don't care who's consolidating their power."
Bobby Weir, just 17 years old when he co-founded the Warlocks, was one of the very few people who was at every single Grateful Dead show. Joining up with Jerry and Pigpen in 1964, and soon after Billy and Phil, with Mickey soon to follow, the Grateful Dead were defined by each of the unique musicians and voices these guys brought to the stage. And Bobby was as unique as they come.
A guitar player unlike any other, and a songwriter who created some of the most interesting, exciting, and oddly-timed songs in rock history, Bobby was also the unabashed rock star in the Grateful Dead. His list of contributions to the Grateful Dead repertoire is way too long to list, but songs like Sugar Magnolia, Truckin', Jack Straw, Cassidy, Looks Like Rain, Playing In The Band, Weather Report Suite, The Music Never Stopped, Estimated Prophet, Feel Like A Stranger, Hell In A Bucket, and Throwing Stones are just the tip of iceberg of his songwriting magnificence.
When Bobby had a spare moment both during the Dead's 30 year performing career and after, he was always working on exciting, different projects like Kingfish, Bobby & The Midnites, Weir & Wasserman, RatDog, The Other Ones, The Dead, Furthur, Dead & Company, Wolf Bros, symphonic collaborations, recordings, performing. He never sat still, and was always moving forward, an inspiration to us all.
Watching Bobby do anything was always a joy, as he embraced life around him. First and foremost, his family gave him immense happiness. Being on stage and performing for us all showed us a man who loved to bring smiles to our faces. He didn't do anything halfway, always giving it his all.
For 60 years, Bobby has been a huge part of the soundtrack to our lives. His kindness, generosity, and musical contributions have made our world a better place. — David Lemieux
Photo by Adrian Boot @ Retro Photo Archive
As the winter dragged on and recording sessions stretched much longer than expected, The Dead were on the verge of hitting the road without a record. Enter Big Steve Parish, nails and hammer in hand. The plan? Lock everyone in the studio and shut out the distractions. And it worked.
Terrapin Station was released on this day in 1977. So, why not lock yourself in a room today and crank it up?! 🐢
“Brent’s passing came at a time where we were experiencing enormous show attendances and Brent was at his best. With ‘In the Dark,’ we had to start defending the shows. People were breaking in. It was 50,000 people inside, 50,000 outside…Brent was really cranking, and we were bringing a lot of the old stuff out – ‘Death Don’t Have No Mercy,’ ‘Attics of My Life.’ There was no pressure to reinvent. We were just being the Grateful Dead. And Jerry was feeling good. On this day in 1990, we lost Brent Mydland and remember him for what he became: forever a member of the Grateful Dead.” - Mickey Hart Remembering Brent Mydland on the anniversary of his passing today 🌹
Photos by Herb Greene, Roger Ressmeyer, and @jayblakesberg
35 years ago today, Brent Mydland played his final show with the Grateful Dead 🌹
Marking the moment with a look back at this performance of “I Will Take You Home,” recorded on July 4, 1989, at Rich Stadium in Orchard Park, NY.
BREAKING: George Wendt, the actor best known for playing Norm Peterson on the long-running sitcom "Cheers," has died. He was 76. https://t.co/MsTrctA8kA