VOLUME 7, August 17, 1997

1983 LETTERS

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WHEREAS, the Grateful Dead have been an American institution for more than 15 years, and

WHEREAS, the Grateful Dead aren't Just the best at what they do, they are

the only ones who do what they do, and

WHEREAS, there truly is nothing like a Grateful Dead concert, and

WHEREAS, the Grateful Dead should keep on truckin' for as long as there

are Deadheads, and

WHEREAS, what a long strange trip It's been from 710 Haight Street to the

Dane County Coliseum,

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Jonathan B. Barry, on the motion of Supervisor Stuart Levitan and, by the powers vested in me, do hereby proclaim Friday, June 24, 1983, to be

GRATEFUL DEAD DAY IN DANE COUNTY

 

Signed in the County of Dane, Madison, Wisconsin, this 20th day of June, 1983

 

January 24, 1983

Dear Folks

 

As spokesman for The Unofficial Evergreen Travel Club, I'd like to thank

everyone responsible for four fantastic years at the Oakland Auditorium.

Even though this has been a seasonal occurrence for many of us, and we know

that those who travel with the band deserve it more than we, we would still

like to express our appreciation for being welcomed and recieved as participants

in this great family.

 

We all feel that this is just the beginning even though you've been doing this

for the past twenty years. We can still see the Golden Road to Unlimited Devotion

extending beyond our eyebrow horizons. We wish we could holographically solidify all the creative hallucinations that we experience when we are inspired by the music. Perhaps then, we could extend ourselves more ubiquitously. We all love

you and know that you will play in our hearts untill the end of time.

 

Love and Peace from your fans in Olympia, Washington

By The Waterwish Bell We Shall Rest Our Heads

 

 

Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville

May 20, 1983

Hello, Deadheads

 

I'm the news editor of the campus paper here at SIUE the Alestle, and thought I'd drop you a line about The Official Book of the Deadheads along with a copy of my review (unfortunately short, but space is always a hassle in the newspaper business).

 

I've only been a solid Dead Head since 1977, although in my younger years I was a happy listener. As such, I was overjoyed to get a copy of the book from the publisher since, as Jerry says, the Dead Heads are stars, too,

 

(By the way, the Dead did a classic show here in 1980 at the nowdefunct Mississippi River Festival. When Bobby sang "Estimated Prophet," the thunder and lightning seemed to provide celestial choreography. Then again, maybe it was the acidit doesn't matter,)

 

Anyhow, I was pleased to review the book, and congratulate the authors for a job welldone. It's especially satisfying to do Dead reviews because we Dead Heads have a certain evangelistic streak in us, trying to get our friends "on the bus." As Phil said in 1969, the name of the game is salvation, right?

 

I'll be getting a small fix Monday night, when Jerry will perform in the area. It gets better every time.

 

Incidentally, I'd like to get on the mailing list, if possible.

 

Meanwhile, brothers and sisters, keep the faith.
Like the book said, "we have seen the Dead and they are us!"

Yours in fellowship, Shawn

 

 

 

February 22, 1983

Dear Dead Heads:

 

My fiance and I will be vacationing in California next month and are planning to attend the Grateful Dead concert in Irvine on March 27 with a number of our friends. Insofar as the Grateful Dead is an important spiritual aspect of our lives, we would like to be married just before the concert. We were wondering if anybody connected with the band might be authorized to perform weddings and would be willing to be involved in a short ceremony shortly before the start of the concert.

 

I hope you are in a position to respond fairly promptly to this request and that you do not consider it to be completely out of line

 

Sincerely,

Thomas Gottheimer

 

 

4/25/83

DEAD HEADS

 

A fellow friend and believer turned me on to your address suggested I drop you a line to see what you were about. I can't say as I am very up on Garcia and friends, they never play any of their tunes at this end of texas radio despite the fact that Houston is a fairly large city. Being in prison doesn't help any either of course, since it does limit me to strictly the radio...

 

In fact the last time I was able to see them was when they played the Dallas convention center, just before Christmas back in "79". (I think, you lose track of time inside) In fact I was lucky enough to catch them in Dallas twice that year. They played at Moody Coliseum on the SMU campus just a few months before their Xmas gig. I can't say as I blame them for making texass a rare stop. In fact the more I try and get it together in my head, the more I think it may have been 1978. It was the Terrapaun Station Album it seems like. I guess I am rambling pretty much, but I don't get the excuse to talk about California's best that much.

 

Any way, clue me in on what your story is, are you a clearing house for Dead Gear, fan club, info center, or what? I figured it was worth a stamp to see, They may not oblige me here reality wise with the miserable FM they program, but they can't stop the music in my head...LONG LIVE THE DEAD'''

 

James S. Murray

 

 

April 26, 1983

Howdydoody there,

 

I'm only writing this to tell you guys that I don't really know why I'm writing this, except to tell you all that I'm back on the bus! It took a couple of years of wandering around a bit after m, spiritual conversion, but I finally realized that I am after all a dyedin thewool...and penitent Dead Head.

 

Which doesn't mean that my conversion ain't stuck to me, not by a long shot. What makes this whole thing no doubly exciting to me is that this time around I am so much more a whole person, one whose personality is better integrated, blahblah, and et cetera. which makes it better now because, among other things, I feel 60 good...I'm enjoying it so much better this time around. Yep, I amand you heard it here first...

 

I'll let you off the hook now, I think you have another letter to read...so good bye and take care.

 

Gordon Beck

 

p.s. I really don't wanna make this a biz letter, but iI hink I'll offer anyway. i' am an engraver and i've done lots of sound panelsmonitors, faders, etc. if the band ever needs any work done on thier stuff...) would be honered at the chance. thanks.

 

 

 

May 26, 1983

Dear Members of The Grateful Dead,

 

Recently, a few friends and myself saw your concert at the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey' needless to say (even though I am), it was great! Having seen other great Dead concerts, such as your amazing show at the Frost Amphitheatre at Stanford University on Oct 10,1982, we were not disappointed.

 

A few months ago my girl friend and I moved from San Francisco (why I'll never know) to Rutland, Vermont. As a matter of triviality we had lived across the street from Winterland and were sad to see the billboard on the side whitewashed over. But anyway, back to the letter. We have found what we believe to be the largest per capita amount of Grateful Dead followers in the world, right here in Rutland. So after having seen your Meadowlands show we were so inspired that we decided to have a Grateful Dead party in our yard. Well the idea caught on big around here. We are going to have a few kegs of beer, food and a few friends of mine are going to play strictly Dead music including two drummers (ala Dead). Nothing much goes on here in Rutland and people here have to go all the way to Saratoga, New York to see concerts. Anyway I figured that it would be only proper to the invite the people who made this all possible The Grateful Dead. I realize that you probably have a pretty hectic schedule, but we won't take no for an answer! It so happens that this party is going to take place on the same weekend of your upcoming Saratoga concert (June 18). So if at all possible we'd be more than happy if you could come even if only for a little while. Nobody ever comes to Rutland and you could do what you always do, make a lot of people very happy.

 

Even if you can't come to us we will be seeing you at Saratoga out on the grass. So thanks for all your music that makes so many people happy in a world that sometimes there isn't much to be happy about and may you play on forever!!!

 

Hope to see you soon,

George Ritter

 

 

 

May 16, 1983

Dear Dead Heads.

 

HI! CONGRADUATIONS on "The Official Book of the Dead Heads" What a perfectly well constructed and entertaining look at the worlds GRATEest Band and the community it has developed over some pretty interesting years! FAR OUT FAR OUT

 

Some Questions:

1) Are there any other books out on the Dead??

2) Can we expect any new material from the band in the near future??

 

I have never written to Dead Heads before, even thought I have been a BIG fan for years. So I really don't even know if the letters are all read or not I'm sure they're not all answered, but who knows, I might get lucky!

 

As I approach 30 years old, I suppose I should be worried about contracting Cancer, or getting laid off from work, or not getting laid enough I It seems that these are the most common fears among the 1983 middle class American. And I guess I do fear these things a bit too, but, my biggest and most feared anxiety is the eventual! breakup of the Grateful Dead. They say all good things must come to an end (When life looks like easy street there is danger at your door), but in the case of the Dead I hope this never comes true !! You make so many people happy! What an institution in music you've become ! Then again if you ever decided to call it quits, I could always turn to Kiss or def leppard!? MAN ,,, What some people are missing out on Please hang in there forever' WE ALL LOVE YOU !

 

Now down to the serious stuff ! I'm sure you have heard this before, but my house is open to the Dead or any staff or crew member any time you're in Rochester.

 

I'm DEAD serious! You've made me happy for so long, the least I can do is extend some hospitality to you all How about May 26th Jerry, (when you come to the Rochester Auditorium) We have plenty of room and besides, my lady is a great cook ! Screw those shitty hotels for a change, and enjoy our home with us.

Remember, Please, you're all WELCOME

 

Here comes the next most commonly asked question, Right?? I would love to relocate, If ever there is an opening in your organization I would appreciate the consideration, I am 29 years old and employed with Eastman Kodak Company as you can well tell ! , . . . and I might add, I'm a hell of a hard worker.

 

Boy, did I come on strong for my first letter

I must say though, I was inspired to write this from your new book, which I would once more like to say was

 

What a Masterpiece......

 

Thank You for everything....

Jeff Yolevich

 

I agree with the caption in the book , that it is hard to keep from smiling when I talk about the DEAD.

 

 

 

FEAR AND LOATHING ON THE CONCERT TRAIL

"A True story of Spiritual Madness"

by MARK ALAN DAIGLE

 

CAPTAIN'S LOG, MAY 1979:

 

I had recently graduated from St John Vianney High School Seminary and was spending one last summer home before pursuing further religious training in the Fall After spending four isolated years with saintly zealots in the backwoods of Goochland Virginia, I packed my bags and returned to Va. Beach.

 

After settling in, I decided to visit my brother who was living in a newtinfested house near the lowrent district of town. After catching up on old times, he introduced me to his roommat, Dave.

 

Dave was a "transferred New Jersyite" struggling to come to grips with the strange lifestyle of southern living. Personally, I was rather perplexed by this guy who looked like Bert Parks in leather, and had the personality of Norman Bates and Edgar G. Robinson all wrappedup into one demented mind. From his point of view, I was a boy in desperate need of some serious corruption.

 

"Ever seen the Dead?" Dave asked me.

"No," I said, "Are'nt they like Black Sabbath?"

 

He winced painfully at that and left the room shaking his head. After a few moments, Dave reentered and handed me two things;

 

"The ticket is for Saturday's show in Hampton, take this tape and know everything on it by the end of the week."

 

I agreed. You don't say no to a leatherclad New Yorker who gives lectures on street corner lobotomy's.

 

FIVE DAY'S LATER....

 

"HOLY SHIT!!! Two hours before showtime and I'm out of drugs!" I thought to myself that he was acting like a zombie from a George Romero film looking for dinner After a hour of true redneck style driving, Dave finally persuaded his dealer to give him his own personal stash of dope.

 

"Thank God. I thought we were goners. lite one up."

"How?" I asked.

"You mean you haven't listened to the Dead high?" "NO,..Why?" Dave just laughed to himself, saying nothing.

 

I knew I was in trouble when my head began tingling.

 

We pulled up in Dave's '65 Impala and studied the scene, While ob

serving the couple in the car next to us preform reproduction rites,

Dave purchased a couple pieces of "white paper" from a man with green

hair,

"Try this."

"What is it?" I asked,

"Snoopy's, kinda like a Flintstone vitamin. You'll need all the

energy you can get tonight," Dave said.

 

About a halfanhour later I knew I was going to have trouble explaining this in the confessional.

 

Nothing else seemed particularly odd to me the rest of the evening, As a matter of fact, everything was just "fine." I felt like I had left the planet Earth, and had somehow become absorbed unto the canvas of an unknown Dali painting,

 

It wasn't just a concert, it was the biggest family reunion in town. People treated you like you were some longlost relative, There was sharing and love everywhere, I wished I had brought something to give someone.

 

I was trading Rodney Dangerfield jokes with a guy who started to transform into Michael Landon, when the lights went down....

 

MISSISSIPPI HALFSTEP,.. FRANKLINS TOWER ME & MY UNCLE MEXICALI BLUES CANDYMAN etc...........

 

Three hours later I noticed someone with a bumpersticker on his jean jacket:"I LOST IT AT A GRATEFUL DEAD CONCERT." I knew what he meant.

 

The next day I wokeup, and decided that the priesthood wasn't for me.

 

 

 

Dear Grateful Dead,

Jan. 3 ,1983

 

As a long time anti war/antinuke activist and Deadhead (I'm 32) I was rather dismayed about the article in the Dally Cal telling about the army's possible sponsorship of KQAK's New Years broadcast.

 

I hope you make public an explanation of this, at least a letter explaining it all in the Daily Cal. As you know, most of your fans are quite young (many draft age) and it troubles me greatly that you would permit thls. AlI ready there are too many young men that I have encountered that think nothing of this country's military buildup, massive monies pouring into Nuclear weapons. the if' X missile, the draft, etc. I personally think that we "progressive" folks should be opposing this militarism in every way, even if it it means no KQAK broadcasting of your New Years Eve Concerts.

 

Por Favor! Somekind of explanation is in order sincerley,

with LOVE and PEACE

Melissa Moonbeam

 

THE DAILY CALIFORNIAN, MONDAY, JANUARY 3, 1983

Army and Grateful Dead Alliance surprises fans

By JOE OPPENHEIMER

 

While the New Year's festivities proceeded as scheduled, fans expressed confusion and surprise over the unusual alliance between the Grateful Dead and the United States Army.

 

The alliance took the form of Army sponsorship of radio station KQAK's broadcast of the Dead's New Year's Eve concert at the Oakland Auditorium.

 

Many fans at the concert said they were unaware of the Army's involvement in the broadcast. Several fans said they thought it was "strange" for the Army and the Dead to be working with each other.

 

A spokesperson for KQAK said Army sponsorship of the broadcast had been the station's idea. The spokesperson said the Dead had agreed to the broadcast, but she did not know if they had been told the Army was sponsoring it.

 

"We'll try it and see what happens," said Diana Mandujano, a public information specialist for the Army.

 

The Army's main purpose in sponsoring thebroadcast was to get "public exposure" and to further their advertising relationship with KQAK, Mandujano said.

 

Mandujano emphasized that the army was sponsoring the show but would not be running any "heavy recruitment ads." She also said her department dealt with publicity and would not be running ads for the selective service department, which is responsible for maintaining draft registration.

 

Mandujano said the army's job training programs might appeal to the cult audience the Grateful Dead has. She said young fans were the Army's main target.

 

A spokesperson for Bill Graham Presents first denied that the army was sponsoring the broadcast, then admitted the army's involvement but said the matter was between the Army, KQAK and the Grateful Dead.

 

At the Oakland Auditorium Friday the Dead lived up to their reputation for communicating with their fans while on stage.

 

Repeated calls to Bill Graham Presents could not, persuade the concerts' promoters to divulge the rock group's office number, which is unlisted.

 

 

 

 

hello,
it's seldom that i get the motivation to write to people that i don't know but healy did something so outstanding that i feel compelled to write. playing the king sunny ade tape during halftime, and after the show was more than i could have asked for. particularly after an extra tense tape before it. i was suffering to say the least but king sunny helped to immediately ease the tension, not only in myself but it appeared to me the whole crowd. surely high music for a high crowd. so i would like to extend my thanks and deepest appreciation to the soundboard crew for their good taste and mercy on our minds. the reggae is always a welcome treat also. it seems to me that this kind of music is much more suited to not only the crowds parting mood and intention to be high and have a good time than say the beetles or pink floyd tapes ju Ju and reggae certainly lead the atmosphere in a more congenial and relaxed positive direction and in my opinion increase the minds ability to enjoy the bands music by presenting the crowd with sympathetic yet different styles of music. more low key yet refreshing background and mood music than listening to rock of different styles which in my experiences at the shows seems to take the relaxed mood obtained from being in line most of the day with friends and puts an edge to the movement and interaction until the band appears. personally i find that listening to rock before the show to be a deterrant rather than a benefit..

 

sorry for the bad spelling . also would like to tell the band that it was nice to see them play with such energy at home. after the benefit shows of which i only saw the last two that explains some of it , i was worried that maybe they weren't having so much fun. also to then hear that they tore up the east coast right afterwards. but they certainly came thru in aces if you'll pardon the expression at the "reek this year. thanks for listening

 

forwarding love to you

leaf

 

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