Grateful Dead
How many more Dead tribute bands does the scene really need? There’s truly already plenty out there. Even if the music is structured to be boundless and open for continuation, it seems like bands could better serve the music with an improvisational spirit, but playing originals instead of Dead covers. Indeed it takes a special group of musicians who understand the music inside out and have the ability to diversify the extensive catalogue instead of simply parroting it.
Grateful Web recently got the chance to chat with veteran music business multi-tasker and author Dennis McNally. His third book, On Highway 61: Music, Race and the Evolution of Cultural Freedom explores the significance of African-American music in the evolution of cultural freedom by examining the historical context and deeper roots of mainstream American’s cultural and musical progression.
With Standing on the Moon, The Rex Foundation looks forward to an exceptional night of music with our annual return to the historic Fillmore Auditorium. Set up in festive cabaret style with reserved seating on the floor, The Fillmore, with its beauty and iconic connection to the Grateful Dead, sets the stage for this special occasion. At the pre-concert reception, enjoy hearty finger foods and beverages as you reconnect with friends and family.
The fourth and final Dave's Picks release of 2014 heeds the long awaited call for one of the best shows of the coveted year of 1977. A top candidate for release for many years, Grateful Dead archivist extraordinaire Dick Latvala wrote of 11/4/77, "this show must have destroyed everyone's mind, with the unique material ("Dupree's Diamond Blues" & "Aiko Aiko") and great performance.
For the promoters of Lockn’ Music Festival, combining an impressive array of headliners spanning decades of American Music alongside thriving local and regional artists seemed to be a necessity. After all, the southern U.S. is where much our music history was born and evolved.
So many years after the disbandment of Grateful Dead that in turn relocated tens of thousands of devoted tour followers to various other acts and bigger life purposes, folks still crave that familiar feeling that kept them on tour. It didn’t only come from the music that Garcia and the gang connected with so many people through, but the sense of community and thriving weirdness that expanded continuously over decades of different intersections.
From the beginnings of the large scale festival, dating back to gargantuan events such as the 1969 Woodstock Music & Arts Festival or the Watkins Glen Summer Jam of 1973, it was apparent that hosting tens of thousands and creating a safe environment with proper amenities and resources was a challenge that needed some trial and error to perfect. Over the years music and the way we listen to it has come a long way. And so have the festival concepts that we enjoy contemporary.
