[Shaggy]

Jerry was the glue that held them together.

When Billy said he knew he had to follow this man for the rest of his life soon after meeting him, he was talking about Jerry not Bob or Phil or Pig or anyone else.

Thats the Jerry that Duane Allman called a prince who can walk on water and do anything.

Was Jerry the most intelligent member of the band? Probably, a large number of people that met Jerry said he was the most intelligent person they ever met. They said that about Jerry, not anyone else in the band.

Was Jerry the most gifted musician in the band? Yes. The prolific and natural songwriter, most eclectic performer. Weir was younger and didn't mature into the great guitarist and songwriter till the early-mid 70's. It eased the load on Jerry when Bobby started writing more.

He wrote most of the songs, let them head first through all their changes.

Was Jerry THE Grateful Dead? A big fat NO!! They were a wonderful whole with each member interlocking and bringing in his part to form that great whole.

But no one can deny that if one person stood out for his talent, personality and overall contribution it was Jerry.

[smile_smile_smile]

but what does that have to do with them playing jerry songs...nothing imo.

[strumminsix]

Smilex3, I think shaggy was referring to the "GD=JG" from pg.2.

Surprisingly, well said, Shaggy! Surprising cuz I thought you were going down one direction then ZING! hard turn and wound up elsewhere!

Interestingly you say "the glue that held them together". I have been pondering that one and ask was he the one that held it together or was "wonderful whole" able to overcome all obstacles and missing JG left them with missing pieces and emptiness?

[smile_smile_smile]

i see that but i just hope no one is saying Bob and Phil can't play dead tunes because jerry was the dead....also lets get it straight that hunter wrote the lyrics, so the music is only half complete without his words.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Any of those guys should play whatever moves them.
I dont agree with Smile3x-That Hunter wrote the lyrics ,thats half of it.
He presented lyrics that Jerry edited into songs.
Also Jerry wrote the songs melody.
Hunter is the man,but I think the melody part is most important thing.
Other than Must have been the Rose I cant think of a song that used any Hunter written melodies.
I think its rather interesting that most of the Deads solo bands have guys that arent very Garcia-like(for the most part),but now Bobs doing a bunch of Jerry( very cool),and Phil has some guy who carries a Jerry doll around with him(weird).
All their guitar guys are guys who dont want to be Garcia.Which is fine.I just like someone go with the flow instead of always looking for that new angle.

[astroman99]

yeah, they can play what they want, but if they play others peoples tunes, people refer to that as a cover band.

[ebick]

Other than Must have been the Rose I cant think of a song that used any Hunter written melodies.

Are we sure about that? I don't know the answer, I am asking. There was a time when RH used to answer e-mail and I wish I'd asked him that directly.

He has released albums/CDs with Dead songs on them and the melody is fairly close to or exactly the one we are all familiar with. I just have to wonder if when he wrote these if he didn't have a melody in mind, seems like he would, and if he shared that with Jerry and Jerry maybe just took it to the next level.

[smile_smile_smile]

all i know is sometimes jerry had melodies and hunter wrote lyrics to them and sometimes hunter just had lyrics and jerry wrote melodies...jedi try and imagine those songs without those classic hunter lyrics, i don't know man, seems important to me

[AugustWest]

There was a link on here to a GREAT jerry interview from 87 that kinda went over how they wrote songs together. Maybe someone can dig it up.

[Tennessee Jedi]

Everything I've read about Hunter seems to point that way.
Not to familiar with his solo works,but I think they came out after the Deads version.
I remember Hunter talking about using the Deads arrangements and also being real surprised by what Jerry kept lyrically and how he arranged the tunes.
Elton John and Bernie T. for example.
Bernie wrote for and with Elton as an arranger and writer.Music and lyrics.
Robert wrote words not melodies.
Hunter didnt sit at a piano and play G Bm C D,write some words,call it U.J.B,and hand to the Dead.
Hunter wrote poetic lyrics that Jerry edited and arranged to fit melodies he wrote.
I think.
Anyway I saw the list of awesome shows you saw in the 70s and all i can say is you(ebick) are one lucky dog.

[Tennessee Jedi]

I agree 100% with you(smileX3) that Hunter is the man,and that ,yes,they are a big part of why I love the Dead.
I just think that Jerry had a little more to do with it,thats all.
<<<< ------- Hey I hope I'm Donna forever!

[ebick]

Anyway I saw the list of awesome shows you saw in the 70s and all i can say is you(ebick) are one lucky dog.

If only I had a clue what the fuck was going on on 5/5/77!!!!

Anyway, I was paying attention enough to come back for more.

[warrenMFKNhaynes]

Let me rephrase that "Jerry was the dead" statement


Bobby would probably not be a musician without jerry. Phil would be a classical music composer.

Bobby and Phil and the rest of the gang were a big part of the dead. you guys must be crazy if you think that jerry wasnt the main reason the grateful dead came to be. ( not saying any of you think that )

[CountryMile Cadillac]

Yeah mama killed a chicken, thought it was a duck
Put him on the table with his feet sticking up

[smile_smile_smile]

warren - i realize that, but what does that have to do with bobby or phil playing dead songs(jerry tunes)?