Vibing Without the Dead

NOT ROCK
This week, I want to take a moment to rant about what doesn’t rock. In fact, it sucks. The Gathering of the Vibes has always featured super talent, all in the same spirit of a genuine love for music. In the past, I’ve given many kudos to the Vibes for its line up. But this year I’ve got a huge bone to pick – not about who is on deck, but who’s not. Why isn’t the Dead headlining? It just doesn’t make any sense.

When Jerry Garcia died, a huge loss was felt nationally; thousands upon thousands mourned. For over 30 years, fans followed the Dead not just because they couldn’t get enough of the climactic jams or intense heartfelt lyrics, but because a Dead show was a community of friends. In 1996, a year after Garcia’s death and their last show, the good people at Terrapin Tapes, a media distribution company for concert tapers, decided to throw a memorial party at SUNY Purchase. Their goal was to perpetuate kinship and fill a void. As such, they named it the Deadhead Heaven: A Gathering of the Tribe. In ‘97 the festival relocated and became known as The Gathering of the Vibes.

For the past 12 years, the Vibes has featured many musicians once affiliated with the Dead, as well as members of the band: Bob Weir, Mickey Hart, Phil Lesh, and Donna Jean Godchaux. For the first time since ’95, at a fundraiser for President Barack Obama, the Dead finally reunited and went on a short tour. All spring, they brought a favorite pastime into the lives of fans young and old. How is it they couldn’t add one more date and play the Vibes? As I said before, it just doesn’t make any sense. Were they approached and declined? Was it never even a thought to have them headline?

That said, the lineup is still great. Weir and Godchaux are playing, along with Dark Star Orchestra, Crosby, Stills, and Nash, George Clinton & P-Funk, Buddy Guy, and Max Creek, just to name a few. But seriously, what an amazing show it could be if the Dead were there.

by Genette Nowak