This is for the DeadHeads especially but its also a wonderful tale of how having an open mind can lead you from ignorance. I found this beautiful true story/confession on one of those petition sites where someone was bitching about how much he hated The Grateful Dead and there was a messege board where people could respond and this was one of them..... Don't worry, its not long at all. #54 Jun 28 2004, 10:40 am I used to be a skinhead, very much into Oi!, punk, and ska. To me and my friends, it was "our" music. One of my favorite songs was "Jerry Was a Piece of Shit" by the Anti-Heros. I hated the Dead and Jerry. But, really, I didn't know very much about them. Later on I moved to a new place and made new, older friends. One of these friends and I were driving out to meet some other friends for a camping trip one day, and he was playing some very bluesy, subtle guitar instrumental music on his tape deck. I said something like, "wow, this is really good, who is it?" and he said, "oh, that's the Grateful Dead". How was I now to express my ignorant hate of this band, after sincerely expressing my interest in their music to someone I respected? I got confused and just listened to the music play. Since that time, I've become a fan and regret not being one when Jerry was still alive and playing. I've realized that music can be so much more than just a couple of cool sounding crunchy guitar chords played over some angry lyrics, though that can definitely be music as well. But if that is all music is to you, you are missing a lot, my friend. Do I like all of the Dead's music? No. But the more of their music I listen to, the more patient and open minded I become. Why? Because, unlike so many other bands, the Dead chose not to try to hide the bad parts. All is exposed for the listener's discretion. Like a good friend who doesn't hide anything from you, who doesn't pretend to be something they are not in order to get your approval. The more understanding you are of your friend's bad traits, the more the good traits are revealed to you. They are somehow embedded within and interlocked with each other. Love your enemy... Love your neighbor... Love yourself... Anyway, like a good friend, the better you get to know the Grateful Dead the more you get to know how good and how bad they can be. The good parts get better and the bad parts, well, strangely they get better, too. Grateful Convert
That's bitchin'. I like that. My mother is always griping about how the Grateful Dead "sounds horrible." She doesn't understand the style I guess. It's a jam band. They're playing with their soul. Ya dig?
Although I don't know any songs by the band at all it's a great comment on how a person can be so closed-minded they can't see all the good things around them. I'm a pretty closed-minded person but I'm trying to open up. Thanks for that.
I'm just reading a book called Drumming Magic by Mickey Hart, the drummer for the Grateful Dead. I wasn't one of their fans either, but his book is amazing. This guy really feels his soul through his music and not only that, he is an expert on all kinds of drums and can tell about their background in ways that make them interesting. It's given me a whole new outlook on them. Maggie
Yeah I really love Mickey Hart too. He is one of the few "True" musicians left out there today. He really feels it all the way down. He reminds me alot of Carlos Santana in his spiritual depth.
When it comes to the Grateful Dead..you know they've felt every lyric. They're just so real and soulful. Their music always makes me feel better. Going to actually see them is just addictive in itself. The vibes there are amazing. If you can come back from a Dead show and NOT feel good spiritually..then ya got problems, and there's probably no hope for you.
i was really impressed with that story..... i have come across many people who cringe when i say that the dead are by far my favorite band to listen to.....and then i ask them what songs they have listened to....many of them say none, and some say the standards, touch of gray, casey jones......it amazes me just how closed minded people can be.....but like the thread says....the power of an open mind.... if more people would actually take the time to listen instead of just hearing....the world would be a hell of a lot better off...
i'll echo sprout and say.....awww..... ....thank you, nathan.....you truly know how to make a gal feel special......
