Dead (at 16)

About the Book

The Grateful Dead came to me at the ripe old age of sixteen. And I welcomed the band into my life. I was intrigued about all the interesting and mind-altering avenues the band, and more specifically following it, had to offer. I was like a sponge, absorbing every last drop of excitement. These were the days of spontaneous youth, of abandoning yourself. And I knew deep in my heart that these days, this life, could not be wasted.

About the Author

I started off like any other typical Grateful Dead fan, trading and listening to bootleg recordings. As time went on I began to immerse myself with living the “Dead” lifestyle. The band and the community that surrounded them were so captivating, it was magical. A Grateful Dead show was the only place I knew that provided an environment that fostered creativity, music, dance and family, all interconnected. Anybody could become somebody, and that helped strengthen the bond amongst our band of brothers and sisters. There were many times I would go to a show just to dance, or lose it, but I definitely had more than few enlightening experiences as well. Sure, it was a big party from front to end, but that’s not what it was all about. It was about living life and giving shape to the musical fabric that the Grateful Dead had woven for us. To make the most of that time and space.