Thoughts on Vince

Suicide is a terrible thing to deal with, for all parties and bystanders. But blaming anyone but the prime actor in a suicide is unjustifiable in virtually every case. We can’t know what drove Vince to it. I posted this on DeadNet Central just now, and since I’m trying to keep all my thoughts on … Read more

Vince Welnick (1951-2006)

Vince Welnick died on June 2, an apparent suicide. From the San Jose Mercury News story: “…he’d never seen the likes of such music, friendship and spirit and did not know if he ever would again.” Vince’s webmaster, Mike Lawson, posted a tirade on Vince’s site. We can’t know all that went down between Vince … Read more

Dead to the World 5/31/06

Bill Graham introduces Mickey and Billy Mickey and Billy introduce Hamza el-Din Hamza plays two songs Ollin Arrageed-> Promised Land Sugaree – Grateful Dead 10/21/78 Winterland, San Francisco Bob Weir and Mark Karan in the KPFA studio Interview with Mickey Hart and Ram Rod 3/3/83 (click here for additional audio from this interview; text transcript … Read more

Grateful Dead Hour #923

Week of May 29, 2006 Part 1 31:30 Grateful Dead 10/28/85 Fox Theater, Atlanta ROW JIMMY PROMISED LAND David Gans and Friends 8/13/05 Gathering of the Vibes, Mariaville NY SING ME BACK HOME Dave Alvin, West of the West LOSER Part 2 23:50 Grateful Dead 10/28/85 Fox Theater, Atlanta SCARLET BEGONIAS-> TOUCH OF GREY MAN … Read more

Grateful Dead Hour #922

Week of May 22, 2006 Part 1 28:47 Grateful Dead 10/28/85 Fox Theater, Atlanta SUGAREE KANSAS CITY FENNARIO MY BROTHER ESAU Part 2 27:33 Grateful Dead 10/28/85 Fox Theater, Atlanta RAMBLE ON ROSE CASSIDY Bob Weir and Ratdog 3/31/06 Casino Ballroom, Hampton Beach NH JAM-> COME TOGETHER The Ratdog show is available from Ratdog Live. … Read more

“Two Cents” re the NSA

I’m in the SF Chronicle’s “Two Cents” reader-response column again today. The question was, “Ever say anything on the phone you don’t want the NSA to hear?” My favorite answer was from Jo-Anna Pippen: I’m sure in the last four years I’ve said: “Michael Moore, shotgun, Internet, ACLU, Berkeley, indicted, Hillary, drugs, cell, data, gay … Read more