Rocktober Birthday Bob Weir

I'm behind on my Rocktober Festival posts and apparently every three years I post to celebrate Bob Weir's birthday. Here is my post from 2013 and 2016.

At least Bob Weir is diverse enough to write multiple posts about. He believes he has probably played the most gigs of any musician out there. It is hard to argue against his statement. Math would probably back him up and it is hard to think of someone who would be close. A founding member of the Grateful Dead which he joined when he was just 16.


                                                The Grateful Dead "My Brother Esau"

                                                 These folks were treated to a solo performance of "Loose Lucy"

Celebrating his non-Dead music as well "Lucky Enough" with Rat Dog

Here he is with Paul McCartney

                                              "Bombs Away" with his Wolf Brothers

Hope you enjoy and I will see you soon!

Battle of the Bands 100 Result: Fun for me, Fun for you

Hopefully my 100th Battle of the Band was as fun for you as it was for me. Sometimes these battles are about exploring music, a theme, a tribute, or mixing things up. This time around it was the best reason for a Battle. That reason is simply a song I like from a band I like. Then add two great artists and you have a darn good recipe.

Bob Weir on the contest 5 to 3. He would be happy with the results. Bob still performs the song with his various side projects.

Here  he is performing it in October with the Wolf Brothers...

Here Bob Weir joins Little Feat to perform "Tennessee Jed"

                                               "Only A River" a song from his latest solo album..

I hope you enjoyed and I will be back with a new battle in a few days!

Battle of the Bands 100: Easy to Slip

This is Battle of the Bands 100 for me so I thought it should be special for me and hopefully for my audience. It is no secret I l like Little Feat. I didn't get to see the band when Lowell George was around. Interviewing Little Feat's co-founder Bill Payne was amazing and then to meet him in person was pretty darn cool.

Well the song this go around comes from Little Feat called "Easy to Slip"

                                                    Contestant One: Sandy Denny

Contestant Two: Bob Weir

Two contestants who found fame in interesting groups. One from Fairport Convention and one from the Grateful Dead. Vote for the one you like best in the comments. I will count the votes and announce the winner in a week or so.

R.I.P John Perry Barlow

John Perry Barlow has passed away at the age of 70. The former rancher, internet activist and lyricist died in his sleep today. He is probably best known for his lyrics he wrote for Grateful Dead songs.

Perhaps it is best to start with "The Music Never Stopped"..

He was famous for his writing with Bob Weir but he wrote with other members of the band. Like this beautiful song he created the lyrics for keyboardist Brent Mydland "I Will Take You Home"

Here is "Throwing Stones"

"Black Throated Wind"

His songs will live on, the battle for the internet will continue but John Perry Barlow will be missed by his family and fans.

75 Years of Jerry Garcia

Today is Jerry Garcia's birthday. It marks 75 years since he was born.  He passed away at 53 and something beautiful has been missing ever since.

I'm going to share songs from throughout his career. Music talks better.

If you want more, I suggest going t o the movies today. They are bringing a vintage concert to the big screen. You can catch Jerry and the Grateful Dead one more time. Information here.


Jerry Garcia with Merl Saunders "Road Runner"..

Yes he was a road runner touring solo and with the Grateful Dead.

A happy Jerry does his take on a Beatles classic..

Here is early Jerry Garcia from 1962 performing some bluegrass. Sleepy Hollow Hog Stompers is the group "Run Mountain" the song..

Here is Jerry Garcia performing with The Grateful Dead at the last show..

The Dead unplugged..Jerry Garcia with Bob Weir and Phil Lesh..

I could go on. Of course I will. I hope you enjoyed and come back soon!

A to Z Challenge: Weir and back to the Deadheads

I was blown away when I went to my first Grateful Dead concert 25 years ago this Summer. The adventure of me working my way to the front row, the Steve Miller Band opening up, the special guests (Bruce Hornsby), the lights, the music and the fans. It was a magical event that happened each summer until Jerry Garcia passed away. I went to Furthur, Phil Lesh & Friends, but they fell short. There were some other versions that might be pretty cool including the current Dead & Company.

We had our separation. Then I heard Bob Weir released an album of Cowboy based songs. My first musical experience was old cowboy songs on vinyl.

I was ready for an evening of escape. I made the drive. There was even a small collection of vendors in the parking lot. Not as cool as I remember for the old Stadium shows, but something. I missed vendors.





The opening with just Bob and his guitar for a few songs was more intimate than any stadium show. His band was good with a strong Americana vibe to it.

Below he performs a couple days later at Wanee covering Little Feat..

Another from Wanee with his touring band "Cassidy"

"Playin' in the Band" a week earlier in Austin..

Yes a member of the Grateful Dead, not quite the same as the old shows, but a touch of magic. Just enough to send me back home.

Battle of the Bands: Box of Rain

Time to get Grateful on the Battle of the Bands. Today is Phil Lesh's 77th birthday. Phil was the bass player for the Grateful Dead. I'm also going to see Grateful Dead alum Bob Weir next month so it all kinda fits.

The Song: Box of Rain

Box of Rain was written by Phil Lesh and contestant one...

Contestant One: Robert Hunter

Contestant Two: Beth Cassidy

Who gets your vote? Robert or Beth? The lyricist or the singer?  Vote for the one you like the best.  I will count up the votes and provide the results around the 21st. Vote in the comments and we will have a winner soon! If you liked this Battle please check out the other Battle links here. That site has the most up to date list.

Well I hope you enjoyed the Battle and come back and visit soon!

Rocktober Birthday: Bob Weir

Bob Weir could fit into so many categories and since it is my blog I will squeeze him into my Roctober birthdays. He just released his album "Blue Mountain" which I will probably buy. I've heard the release described as being influenced by "cowboy music." This intrigues me because the first music I was drawn to as a child was cowboy music. Why? I don't know I was born in Southeastern Virginia not exactly cowboy lands. Since then my musical tastes have zigzagged across an ever growing musical spectrum. That spectrum included Bob Weir and his band The Grateful Dead.

It has been three years since the last time I celebrated Bob's birthday. You can revisit that post here. I think it is certainly time to celebrate again.

The title track of his new album performed live..

Here he is with the latest Grateful Dead spin-off Dead and Company "I Know You Rider"

I couldn't forget Ratdog with "Money for Gasoline"..

I'll leave you with another new track "Gonesville"..

Hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for a new post sometime.

R.I.P Rob Wasserman

Rob Wasserman passed away on Jun 29, 2016. The bassist was 64. The Grammy Award winning worked with a bunch of musicians including Bob Weir, Lou Reed and David Grisman to highlight a few.

Here is his Grammy Award winning song with Bobby McFerrin...

"Easy Answers" Bob Weir, Neil Young, and Rob Wasserman..

Here is an all bass version of "Satisfaction"..

Ratdog with "Lucky Enough"...

Rob Wasserman was an incredible talent on the bass, his music will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Furthur Calls it Quits

Furthur covering The Clash with "Train in Vain"

From the groups website:

 "Thanks for making the Furthur community a great place to hang out, and for coming out to the shows. We'll all be keeping very busy over the foreseeable future, and it's time to let Furthur take a bow" 

Source linked here.

Below is a HQ video of the group covering a Grateful Dead song "Jack Straw" of course Furthur includes both Bob Weir and Phil Lesh from The Grateful Dead.

Some might be saddened that the group is calling it quits but many Deadheads are being very optimistic about what might come next. Since the Grateful Dead will be marking their 50th Anniversary soon. Below the group performs "Alligator:

Here the band performs Pink Floyd's "Time"

Fitting to close with "Time" since the group is calling it time to quit. Thanks for the songs, and thanks for  keeping the spirit of the Grateful Dead I look forward to what comes next! 

Bob Weir clears schedule

I didn't set out to follow up a tribute post to Jerry Garcia with a post about his old band mate and fellow guitarist Bob Weir. Unfortunately it just fell into place. Bob Weir just cancelled all his Ratdog shows through January of 2015. In April of 2013 I blogged about Bob collapsing on stage. No official statement has said it is due to health reasons but one would speculate.

"The Music Never Stopped"

Bob's former manager told Rolling Stone magazine "Bobby's been having health problems for a while and now there are plenty of people who support him and want to help him get the care he needs." 

Read more: http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/bob-weir-cancels-all-upcoming-ratdog-performances-through-2015-20140811#ixzz3A7t5oZSV
Follow us: @rollingstone on Twitter | RollingStone on Facebook

Bob Weir performs "Hell in a Bucket"

Old habits coming back to haunt, new addictions, exhausted from the road, old age or some combination of them? Who knows. Doesn't really matter. Fans of Bob Weir, Ratdog, Furthur, The Grateful Dead want him to get healthy so songs can once again fill the air. Festival promoters, venue managers, want him to get well so he can tour.

"Loose Lucy"

We wish him rest, recovery, peace and positive vibes!

Happy Birthday Bob Weir

The last year I blogged about Bob Weir it was with concern to his health. Today I write to celebrate his 66th birthday. The yen and yang of blogging or just the continuity of a long, strange trip.The longtime Grateful Dead guitarist is a singer, songwriter, and a talented musician. As we celebrate we will look back at his career.

I couldn't pass this up. Warren Haynes was mind blowing this summer paying tribute to Jerry Garcia. If you missed that you can read my review here. Here Warren Haynes trades licks with Bob Weir on the classic "I Know You Rider."

Reflections on the past Bob Weir discusses Jerry Garcia and The Grateful Dead..

Below Bob Weir performs "Lucky Enough" with his band Ratdog...

Bob solo performing "Artificial Flowers"

A live version of "Hell in a Bucket" with the Grateful Dead..

Happy Birthday Bob Weir..enjoy the ride!

A to Z: Bob Weir

I was in the middle of writing another blog for the challenge today, when I found out about Bob Weir falling on stage last night. Bob Weir was a member, guitarist, and vocalist for The Grateful Dead. Currently he is on tour with Further, with Phil Lesh.

Last night he fell over on stage and was helped to a chair to finish the song...

From what I see he didn't look okay and his playing didn't appear to be that great. After the song Weir was helped off the stage as the band took a break, the band later returned to finish the show without Bob.

According to Rolling Stone "Phil Lesh told the crowd that Weir was suffering from a strained shoulder and that the set would go on without him." Jambands.com explained that the shoulder issue was due to a work out and that Weir had taken "a muscle relaxant which ultimately inhibited his performance."

The tour is supposed to continue on Saturday in Atlantic City. Hopefully he is okay and the tour will continue filling the air with songs that you know. No news on Furthur's site or Bob Weir's site. I wish him a speedy recovery. Please feel free to visit the other sites and read more, they are linked where quoted.

Thanks and I will have a new post tomorrow....

Happy Birthday Bob Weir

 Today October 16 is Bob Weir's birthday. He is one of the guitarists for the Grateful Dead. So let's get truckin' with some songs to celebrate his birthday.

Here Bob Weir and Bruce Hornsby perform "Hell in a Bucket" from March 31, 2012...

Here he is with some Grateful friends in a band called Furthur from Wanee 2012..Not Fade Away

Okay that was more now lets go back a bit...Bob weir and Jerry Garcia in 1982 on David Letterman...

and with the Grateful Dead...Birdsong from 1980..

Thanks for the songs and thanks for keeping the music going. Hope you enjoyed a little music break will be back soon with a new post...

Happy Birthday Jerry Garcia

Today Jerry Garcia, the guitarist, vocalist, for the Grateful Dead would have turned 70. Later this month marks the 17th anniversary of his death. 53 is way too soon to go. However, Jerry did have health issues I remember a Fall tour in the 90s that got cancelled due to his health. I was bummed, I had tickets to three shows on that tour.

I miss Jerry, since it marked the end of the Grateful Dead. Sure there are the splinter groups Further, Phil Lesh and Friends, Bob Weir and Ratdog. However, it isn't quite the same. The vibe is missing. I loved the peddlers outside the venue. If a fan bumped into you, they would say they were sorry and make sure you were okay. Yes their were drugs.  but you could say no and still be cool. They even had fans the Wharf Rats who were sober.

I was about the music, still am. They used to put on a long three hour show and they would have cool opening acts. I remember seeing Traffic and Steve Miller open for them. Bruce Hornsby would join them in most shows I saw at RFK. You could see multiple shows since the band would change the set list every night. If Led Zeppelin was responsible for my exploration and love of blues music and guitar driven rock. The Grateful Dead were responsible for my acoustic, folk,  exploration.

I mean I love Jerry with the Dead, solo, and his bluegrass projects as well. 17 years later I know what is missing.

This is the Grateful Dead performing Casey Jones at the first Grateful Dead show I went to back in 1992...

Here is a different Casey Jones. Off of Shady Grove an album Jerry did with David Grisman. I love this album,,,

Here Jerry Garcia and his band covers Bob Dylan....

Jerry Garcia happy birthday, sorry you left so soon.

2012 Gathering of the Vibes Lineup!

The 17th Annual Gathering of the Vibes Music Festival has released their initial lineup for 2012. The festival is scheduled to happen July 19-22 at Seaside Park in Bridgeport, Connecticut. 40 plus bands are suppose to play and time slots have not been announced.

Here we go! For those who love some bass in their rock, Primus will be performing! Dead Heads you are in luck as Phil Lesh and Friends will be performing. Bob Weir and Bruce Hornsby will perform as well dragging jazz great Branford Marsalis with them. The Mickey Hart Band will be performing. 7 Walkers featuring Bill Kreutzmann will be joining the fun as well. So pretty much everyone who was in the Grateful Dead is bringing their current bands to the party.

Here is Primus in action via YouTube:

Here is Bob Weir in action:

Okay back tho the line up..

Sound Tribe Sector Nine will be there here is a taste from YouTube:

The Yonder Mountain String Band will be adding their magic. The Avett Brothers will also be hitting the stage..Here isa sample from YouTube:

Steel Pulse will add some reggae at the beach and Zappa Plays Zappa should be pretty cool. I saw Dweezil earlier this month and he is pretty cool! The Greyboy Allstars will also be there.Here is a taste from YouTube to get you ready..

Sounds like a good time already but there is so much more!

Here is the rest so far:

George Porter Jr and Runnin' Pardners
Keller Williams
Dark Star Orchestra
Mates of State
Deep Banana Blackout
ALO
Ryan Montbleau Band
Max Creek
Zach Deputy
Kung Fu
Joe Pug
Outernational
David Gans
McLovins
Dangermuffin
Yarn
Toubab Krewe
Dopapad
Cosmic Jibaros
Twiddle
Band Together
Andy The Music Man
Lucid
Late Night
Royal Family Ball (Soulive and Lettuce)
Conspirator
Gigantic Underground Conspiracy
The Machine

Tickets and information can be found here!