dcoleman@vlnvax.DEC (04/02/85)
< Let there be songs, to fill the air > > One unique thing about Grateful Dead concerts is that approximately >30-50% of the attendees are tripping.... > C. Charlie I don't know where you came up with that figure - maybe 15 years ago it was close, but not nowadays. Of many people I have known to attend Dead shows, very few were tripping, less than 5%. Your point of view brings up another aspect about the Dead, that all of their fans, no matter how devoted, swear by them for many reasons; you can easily find a few fans who have vastly different outlooks as to why the Dead are so magical. Your love of the band seems to be based on the "unbelievable experience" of being in an "alternate reality". I can't say that I share this feeling, since I've never tripped. I have at times let the music fill my head and carry me off to somewhere out there, but not at the same level as your hallucinations. Some like yourself look upon the experience as more of a social phenomenon, some are into it because of the music, some for a little bit of both, others for very different reasons. I lean far toward the musical side, that's how I first became interested in the band. I remember hearing a tape playing in my older brother's room and saying, "Wow, who WAS that?!", and being surprised that "The Grateful Dead" played that kind of music, since I had never listened to them before. Sure, I sense the togetherness and love in the air at Dead concerts, emanating from the Deadheads, unlike any other concert I've ever been to, but it isn't just a hallucination one experiences while tripping. Like you said, "brought together by the music." "... Lord the band kept us so busy, we forgot about the time" - and it's time for me to leave for the Portland show. Dave Coleman
nm34@sdcc12.UUCP (nm34) (04/03/85)
> > > > One unique thing about Grateful Dead concerts is that approximately > >30-50% of the attendees are tripping.... > > C. Charlie > > I don't know where you came up with that figure - maybe 15 > years ago it was close, but not nowadays. Of many people I have known > to attend Dead shows, very few were tripping, less than 5%. You are probably right, my figures are high, but the %age is higher than you think. > Your point of view brings up another aspect about the Dead, > that all of their fans, no matter how devoted, swear by them for many > reasons; you can easily find a few fans who have vastly different > outlooks as to why the Dead are so magical. Your love of the band > seems to be based on the "unbelievable experience" of being in an > "alternate reality". I can't say that I share this feeling, since > I've never tripped. I have at times let the music fill my head and > carry me off to somewhere out there, but not at the same level as your > hallucinations. > Some like yourself look upon the experience as more of a > social phenomenon, some are into it because of the music, some for a > little bit of both, others for very different reasons. > Dave Coleman Please dont put words in my mouth. The music is what is important. Everything else is there to help to increase the awareness and appreciation of the music. The "unbelievable experience" is the music accentuated by Deadhead crowd, and the "alternate reality". There are no hallucinations when using these things. You are just "in touch" with your feelings and senses in a new and special way. I think it would be a mistake to continue in this discussion if it degrades into a competition as to who enjoys the Dead more. We all agree (at least those of us who have experienced them) that a Grateful Dead concert is a great thing. I wont try to take away your way of enjoying it. I dont want to because it is also my way most of the time. I just cant wait until my next time. - C. Charlie