Mickey's Statement
From MickeyHart.net:
"The last several days have been a whirlwind of activity and commentary regarding the Grateful Dead and archive.org. I am posting this message due to the fact that despite news stories to the contrary, I have been one of the earliest backers of the taping and sharing of Grateful Dead music. I fully support the position taken by Phil in his message and always have. Being a field recordist myself, I stand united with the taper community and always will notwithstanding anything in the media to the contrary. Efforts have been made by Grateful Dead Productions and archive.org to rectify the situation and I hope our loyal fans, friends and family will continue to enjoy and participate in Grateful Dead music."
posted by SLC Library Boy at Friday, December 02, 2005
4 Comments:
Too little, too late after The Dead's true colors are shown
I'm a big fan of Micky Hart's. His book on music quotations is one of my favorite books that I have shared with many people in email tags and whatnot. I can't say how much it moved me. When I worked in the music biz, I plastered my office door with those quotes, just to remind people what music really is about. However harsh I am about Bob Weir doesn't apply to the rest of the band who didn't agree with this move.
Still, I can listen to a stream in the car. This new "concession" has the ironic earmark of GOP strategy. Make yourself look good by giving back...but less. During the last budget debate, the GOP made sure average Americans got a check and a bullshit letter right after paying taxes while slowly phasing in the biggest tax cuts the wealthy have ever seen. I'm wasn't impressed with my rebate check, and I'm not impressed with the Dead for making up with their bad with streams.
You know, I turned on to them when I was 14. It used to be that you would see entire families at shows...3 generations sometimes despite the negative (druggie) elements in the scene.
I'm 40 now. I have a 13 year old now. Nobody that she knows in school know anything about The Grateful Dead except those few that have parents that still like the Dead... and of course, many have moved on.
Many folks my age don't have CD buying on thier list of priorities like they might have when they were young. Most kids aren't running to buy Grateful Dead CD's like we did.
So at this point, when and if they buy a Dead CD over something like John Mayer or something else current their kids will like too or whatever, it is a function of returning the good will of the joy the Dead brought them back in the day. They drop the cash even if they know there's bootleg soundboards out there, even if they have bootlegs themselves. They drop the cash exactly because they know the Dead are so cool as to allow their shows to be online for free. It's all about good will at this point. What a beautiful paradox. A Dead CD is no longer a "must have" item. They spend the money because they still support the idea of them.
The Dead lost the good will by doing this... and you can still find soundboards easy enough in other places. By losing the good will, they are nothing now. The magic has left and they are no longer special beyond the nostalgia value.
If the members of the band can't see this function they have always played and now it's all about money it's because they are as out of touch as George Bush at a NAACP dinner. Yeah, and Bob has just become that pathetic aging rock guy whose addictions cloud him from seeing that he's no longer relevant and has become nothing more than a bad cliche. Worse yet, I know that his personal wealth finds him with too many sycophants in his circle to tell him otherwise.
So have another line Bob, and pay people to tell you that you still matter and still are special because of some originality you had in your youth. You are just as ordinary as the next guy now. Nothing is more common and pedestrian than greed...and this from a band that once was special? Quite pathetic indeed. Nothing's gonna bring them back.
Well, that's quite a mouthful Mr. Anonymous! Most of it, well said I might add.
Peace...........
I'm not doing this for a link, but please see my blog for news on Mickey and Bill. They played with Trey last night. What a hoot! Would have loved to see that. And since you are the news man, I thought I'd pass it on. I know we are all checking you regularly for the latest.
Peace............
(comment #10 on Nov. 30 post, Unbroken Chain)
Thanks, Helen, for the heads up. :)
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=11634676&postID=113339799471599629
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