Music

[hedge]

I don't really like huge concerts where a million sweaty people are crammed together. Sound quality usually sucks too. I prefer smaller venues and amphitheaters to stadium shows, though I've been to plenty of the latter...

[Jungle Rat]

Stadium sound quality is a lot better today than when you were selling LSD infused PB&J Sandwiches.

[hedge]

Yeah, and it's a lot better than it was in 1985 for the Live Aid concert, which was probably like trying to listen to somebody on a "telephone" you make with two metal cans and a piece of string. But I'm glad you enjoyed it...

[Jungle Rat]

I watched it on TV.

[hedge]

And you're willing to fight anybody who claims that wasn't the best concert ever? Something you watched on TV??

[Jungle Rat]

Yep. Bring it crackhead.

[Dr. Nostron]

I'll settle this - both the Dead and Queen are horribly overrated.

[Jungle Rat]

Agreed. Talking about a single performance

[Jungle Rat]

Although Queen did sell millions of more records. The Dead couldn't do that. They relied of acid freeks to sell bootlegs to keep their following going.

[Dr. Nostron]

To me the worst part of watching those old concert videos (and yes Queen and U2 were phenomenal) is the audience - you can never have that kind of experience again because 80% of the crowd would either have their phones in the air trying to record from 50 yards away - or they would be on their phone telling their Facebook friends how great the concert is they are at.

[Jungle Rat]

100% correct. You flick a lighter in the air today, you get handcuffed

[DooKSucks]

Well, that's why the Grateful Dead innovated with a special section for folks trying to tape the show.

[Jungle Rat]

Too keep their careers going?

[hedge]

Although Queen did sell millions of more records. The Dead couldn't do that. They relied of acid freeks to sell bootlegs to keep their following going.

Nobody sold tapes, they were traded freely, which in turn spread the music around much like Napster and Spotify do today, but the Dead anticipated that model by about 40 years. The Dead made their money the old fashioned way, they earned it by constantly touring and playing all their old songs as well as introducing new stuff constantly, unlike most bands who went on tour to promote a new album and they played all their new stuff, most of which the audience wasn't familiar with and didn't really like. Totally different model with the Dead. I've been to hundreds of concerts, nothing is like a Dead show, from the parking lot scene before and after the show (and for days at a time when they were doing 3 night runs or longer), to the shows themselves. Any normal person who likes to have fun would have a blast at a Dead show, even if they didn't like the music. It was a total experience, not just another "buy your ticket, show up an hour before the show, watch the show, leave" like most other concerts. Among non-jam bands, Pearl Jam probably comes closest to having the type of following the Dead had (and still has actually)...

[hedge]

Members of the Dead are still playing together and playing the same songs (from a repertoire of hundreds), as well as multiple cover bands (many of whom are really good and draw sizable crowds) that basically play all Dead songs, which shows that people still love their music and will show up to watch it live. You could go to 10 Dead shows in a row and you would probably only hear maybe 9-10 songs played twice in 10 shows. Almost any other major band on tour is basically playing the same set list night after night after night, which is fine, nobody is traveling around to watch 10 shows in a row of the Rolling Stones or U2 or any other group. But the Dead have been around for literally 55 years and they are still going, their fan base is comprised of many generations of fans. Any band would kill for that kind of longevity and loyalty but most weren't willing to put in the work required to achieve it, they were content to pop out hit records every so often and let the radio do the work for them. Not all, but most. Hell, one of the MIF's daughters and her fiance are both just as big Deadheads as I am, at least in terms of their love of the Dead. Of course they (and I) love lots of different bands and types of music, but the Dead is just a different kind of experience...

[Jungle Rat]

https://www.etsy.com/market/jerry_garci ... uEQAvD_BwE

[Dave23]

WSP

[Dave23]

[Jungle Rat]

That's awesome. Once I got it on the tv and turned the bose way up, oh yeah.

[hedge]

https://www.etsy.com/market/jerry_garci ... uEQAvD_BwE

What are you trying to say with that link?